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Bike Check: Kevin Benkenstein’s Curve GXR Ti

November 15, 2020
By Bike Network
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Kevin Benkenstein is the happy face of long hauling.

He likes his time trials to be at least 500km long and lives by the motto; ‘we never quit.’ We tracked him down on the mountain and took a closer look at his ‘forever bike’; the Titanium framed Curve GXR.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin

Frame: Curve GXR Titanium XL – 58cm. “….because I am deeply in love with how the bike handles and rides, smooth and yet responsive. With a Ti frame I know it will never die. I am lucky to have had the chance to ride many bikes and I choose this as my forever bike.”

Frame: Curve GXR Titanium XL – 58cm. “….because I am deeply in love with how the bike handles and rides, smooth and yet responsive. With a Ti frame I know it will never die. I am lucky to have had the chance to ride many bikes and I choose this as my forever bike.”

Fork: Curve GXR Seek Carbon | Wheels: Curve G4T Carbon 45mm with DT Swiss 350 hubs. “I alternate between 45 and 35 but prefer the 45s for the extra stiffness and because they’re ‘fast as’. They have been super reliable for me from the depths of Lesotho to the traditional town sign sprint

Fork: Curve GXR Seek Carbon | Wheels: Curve G4T Carbon 45mm with DT Swiss 350 hubs. “I alternate between 45 and 35 but prefer the 45s for the extra stiffness and because they’re ‘fast as’. They have been super reliable for me from the depths of Lesotho to the traditional town sign sprint

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Tyres: – Pirelli Cinturato Gravel Mixed 40mm. | “I have tried a lot of tyres lately but find these to be my favourite all-around ones…the center tread is high and solid so they roll fast and the side knobs are pronounced enough to give you grip on loose over hard gravel.

Groupset: SRAM Force/XO AXS with 42t front, 10-50 rear and a Quarq power meter. | “I use 172.5mm cranks to help when things get rocky and rock strikes are common. I love this group because of its reliability, ease of use and wide gear options. I obsess over gear ratios and find that this gives me the best use of the middle of the cassette, where one should spend most of their time. I have a lot of people ask/tell me that they think you need a bigger front cog but you only need the 10t at 50-60kph and after that you probably aren’t pedaling anyways, and I would rather have the 50t for when things get steep and my bike is loaded.

Groupset: SRAM Force/XO AXS with 42t front, 10-50 rear and a Quarq power meter. | “I use 172.5mm cranks to help when things get rocky and rock strikes are common. I love this group because of its reliability, ease of use and wide gear options. I obsess over gear ratios and find that this gives me the best use of the middle of the cassette, where one should spend most of their time. I have a lot of people ask/tell me that they think you need a bigger front cog but you only need the 10t at 50-60kph and after that you probably aren’t pedaling anyways, and I would rather have the 50t for when things get steep and my bike is loaded.

Bars: Curve Walmer Bar 460s or 500s.

Bars: Curve Walmer Bar 460s or 500s.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Stem: Easton EA90

Seat: Specialized Phenom Expert 155 | “I like the wider saddle as I prefer riding very forward and it’s got more stability upfront.” | Seatpost: Easton EC90

Seat: Specialized Phenom Expert 155 | “I like the wider saddle as I prefer riding very forward and it’s got more stability upfront.” | Seatpost: Easton EC90

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Water bottle cages: Arundel Stainless Steel | “…because they look sweet, hold a bottle like their life depends on it and can be adjusted for size.”

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Rear Mech: SRAM AXS XO1

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Cranks: SRAM Force, 42T chainring. | Pedals: – Shimano XT.

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin

Brakes: SRAM Force with 180mm rotors

Brakes: SRAM Force with 180mm rotors

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Bag: Apidura 5.3L frame pack. | “It lives on my bikes, I always carry a rain jacket and maybe some snack in there because you should always be prepared.”

TOKAI - 14 October 2020 - during a Bike Network photo shoot with Kevin Benkenstein and his Curve GMX. Photo by Gary Perkin — Best of luck for the Munga!

| IMAGES: Gary Perkin |

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