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Bikes of the Cape Epic: Fabian Rabensteiner’s Trek Supercaliber

October 25, 2021
By Myles Kelsey

If you were watching the race you’d have seen the 8-day battle of attrition the Italian Trek-Pirelli outfit of Fabian Rabensteiner and Samuele Porro were engaged in for a podium spot. Finishing 4th on the GC is likely a bittersweet end to the race for them – but they sure put on some exciting racing for the fans. This is Fabian’s Supercaliber race setup:

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Fabian is 1,72m tall and rides a size medium Supercaliber with 720mm bars. That’s a 100mm stem with a negative 17° angle.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — We shot Fabian’s bike just a few minutes before the start of the last stage.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — ESI silicone grips and a busy left-hand side of the cockpit with a dual lockout lever and dropper post lever amongst the controls.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Garmin head unit and the day’s profile are neatly displayed so Fabian always knows what’s coming. He isn’t a tall rider and prefers his stem slammed (without spacers underneath it) for climbing efficiency.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Just in case the sh*t really hits the fan there’s a Tubolito tube strapped under the top tube.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Fox 32 SC fork with 20% sag. The team uses ENVE M5 wheels which is the brand’s ‘climbing’ wheelset, it’s a 25mm ID.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Two piston Magura MT8 Raceline brakes with 180mm rotors.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — SRAM AXS XX1 mech with a 10-50t cassette in oil slick finish.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Fabian uses 170mm KFX cranks which are a modular super lightweight aluminum (forged and CNC’ed) offering from FSA. That’s an FSA Powerbox power meter with a 36t chainring. Crankbrothers Candy pedals – which clear mud very well.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.4 tyres with 18psi front and 21psi rear.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — 20% sag inside the shock and hey, look at that, even the pros use frame protection strips.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — CO2 cartridge mounted to the dropper post – out of the way but easy to grab in a hurry. Fabian uses a 125mm Crankbrothers Highline dropper post.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Fizik Argo 5 saddle.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — XC RC tyres have an almost solid center tread (optimal rolling speed) and staggered transition and shoulder knobs for a consistent bite on off cambers and corners.

fabian rabensteiner trek supercaliber cape epic — Arrivederci Fabian!

| IMAGES: Gary Perkin |

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