This week we are delighted to bring you the KTM Myroon Prestige (27.5) of KTM ImpSport rider, Garry Hurst... Enjoy!
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Stealth!!![/caption]Lets start by looking at this stealthy - and very pleasing to the eye - black and orange Monocoque Carbon frame. KTM Carbon has graced many a World Cup Podium over the years and has a race proven pedigree; and you see it matched here with the equally qualified Fox 32 float 100mm CTD forks. Fox's Molybdenum disulfide (yep) Kashima coating helps to reduce friction and to give Garry a smooth, sure-footed and predictable front end that he requires when it comes to handling whatever the evil course designers can throw his way!
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Grip and comfort from the ESI[/caption]The cockpit is dominated by a set of Ritchey WCS 2x carbon bars (at 680mm) with the new ESI fit XC grips for the ultimate in control and comfort. We also glimpse here the Shimano pro stem, at 70mm with a 10° drop, this gives Gaz the chance to assume the 'race position' with ease as he pilots this Austrian rocket around the nations best XC courses.
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Ohhh... XTR![/caption]Staying at the front for now, we see that the control is all Shimano XTR! The Shimano XTR m9000 brakes with 160mm Shimano ice-tech rotors give masses amount of power and modulation, and all in a lightweight, range toping package. With it's opposed and oversized 22mm glass fibre phenolic 2-piston design that reduces the leading effect and gives optimal pad wear, which in turn gives you increased braking control. Plus, they tip the scales at a feathery 304 grams (for the pair)... Bit good really!
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Single ring for less fuss and more speed![/caption]It's a single 32T Wolf Tooth Chain ring for Garry (although he did mention he's currently experimenting with the absolute black oval rings). The lightweight race XTR cranks are teamed up with every dependable Shimano XTR m985 pedals; light, strong and fast!
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Race Kings are quick... Very quick!![/caption]As you'd expect with a bike dripping in XTR loveliness, the backend is equally delicious! A Shimano XTR m9000 rear mech respond's willfully to the matching XTR shifters and allows Garry to effortlessly navigate his Shimano XTR m9000 11 speed cassette (11-40).
We can also see the rapid Continental Race King 2.2 rubber mounted on the go to Stans No Tubes ZTR Crest rims with 3.30 hubs. When it comes to tyre choices, Garry's favoured combo is the Continental X-King on the front and Race King on the rear. Both tyres are of the ProTection series, which although comes with a slight weight penalty (Race King is around 600g's and the X-King at 620g's) they do offer great reliability and grip in the heat of battle, and again a race winning pedigree!
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I do like a matching saddle... especially a comfy matching saddle![/caption]A KCNC Ti seatpost holds Garry's choice of Selle Italia(KTM) SLR XC flow saddle. At just 160 grams is not just a comfy perch, but a functional and lightweight edition to the KTM Myroon Prestige of KTM ImpSports Garry Hurst.
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Race ready Austrian rocket.[/caption]So we can see that this rig is a top to toe XC race machine. Whenever you see a XC bike blessed with this much Shimano XTR you know they mean business, and with the race proven lightweight KTM Myroon frame, speedy 27.5 Stans ZTR Crest wheelset and a buttery smooth Fox 32 100m Float CTD you've a pretty handily spec'd package to carry out that business (if said business is racing XC very quickly... which it is... so no problems there)!
So before I finish up with this weeks Race Bike Focus, lets talk weight. 27.5" wheels and that XTR finery should keep things fairly low in the weight department, and even though Garry has gone for the ProTection version of Continental rubber I'm pleased to say unveil the weight as a leg and lung pleasing 8.9KG's!!
We recently spoke to Garry about how this years KTM ImpSport Race Team was shaping up, you can check that out here.
Keep up to date with all the news from Garry and the rest of the KTM ImpSport camp via their Facebook page – KTM MTB Racing or on Twitter – @KTMMTBRacing
If you’d like your steed feature on Race Bike Focus, just send us a few details and a couple of good quality pics to info@UKXCNews.com