Pit Pass: Lars van der Haar's World Championship Giant
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Rabobank-Giant rider Lars van der Haar finished his 2010-2011 cyclocross season a few days ago with a collection of new titles, including U23 World Champion. It was a year of firsts for the 19-year-old, including his first year riding Giant. Lars says he knew he had something special the first time he swung a leg over the TCX Advanced SL bike, which was still in prototype phase a few weeks before his season began.
The first thing Lars noticed was how light the bike was. At 5-foot-6 and 125 pounds, he rides a size small. The cyclocross-specific geometry and tube shapes, built from Giant’s Advanced SL Grade Composite material, were quite a departure from his previous race bikes, and he says it took a few rides to appreciate all his new bike could do.
“It had a higher top tube, which was different than other bikes I had raced, but as soon as I adapted to it, I loved it,” Lars said. “No question it’s a very fast bike. Very light. It’s really the best ’cross bike I’ve ever ridden, and I’m not just saying that. I like that the bottom bracket is a bit higher than on most bikes, I can go faster through corners while pedaling.”
Lars is particular about the details of his race bike, but there’s nothing custom about the setup. “Other than a special little front brake hanger, which I needed because I’m not very tall, I ride the bike as it is, no tricks,” he said. “We ride with Dugast tires, which are the best for cyclocross. Those tires with the Dura-Ace rims are super fast.”
LARS VAN DER HAAR’S GIANT TCX ADVANCED SL
Model: TCX Advanced SL, size Small
Frame: Advanced SL Grade Composite
Fork: Advanced SL Grade Composite
Handlebar: PRO Vibe 42cm
Stem: PRO Vibe Carbon 90mm
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace
F. Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
R. Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
Brakes: Giant
Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 12-25T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7900
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7900, 172.5mm, 39/46T
BB: Shimano Dura-Ace press-fit SMI-FC7900
Rims: Shimano Dura-Ace
Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace
Spokes: Shimano Dura-Ace
Tires: Vredestein, made by Dugast
The first thing Lars noticed was how light the bike was. At 5-foot-6 and 125 pounds, he rides a size small. The cyclocross-specific geometry and tube shapes, built from Giant’s Advanced SL Grade Composite material, were quite a departure from his previous race bikes, and he says it took a few rides to appreciate all his new bike could do.
“It had a higher top tube, which was different than other bikes I had raced, but as soon as I adapted to it, I loved it,” Lars said. “No question it’s a very fast bike. Very light. It’s really the best ’cross bike I’ve ever ridden, and I’m not just saying that. I like that the bottom bracket is a bit higher than on most bikes, I can go faster through corners while pedaling.”
Lars is particular about the details of his race bike, but there’s nothing custom about the setup. “Other than a special little front brake hanger, which I needed because I’m not very tall, I ride the bike as it is, no tricks,” he said. “We ride with Dugast tires, which are the best for cyclocross. Those tires with the Dura-Ace rims are super fast.”
LARS VAN DER HAAR’S GIANT TCX ADVANCED SL
Model: TCX Advanced SL, size Small
Frame: Advanced SL Grade Composite
Fork: Advanced SL Grade Composite
Handlebar: PRO Vibe 42cm
Stem: PRO Vibe Carbon 90mm
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Shifters: Shimano Dura-Ace
F. Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
R. Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
Brakes: Giant
Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7900, 12-25T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-7900
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7900, 172.5mm, 39/46T
BB: Shimano Dura-Ace press-fit SMI-FC7900
Rims: Shimano Dura-Ace
Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace
Spokes: Shimano Dura-Ace
Tires: Vredestein, made by Dugast
25 februára 2011
