Lidl-Trek Hits the Gravel: Thrilling Debut at Opening Weekend

Lidl-Trek riders had been noticed the use of the SRAM Pink XPLR 1×13 gravel groupset at each Opening Weekend races of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on the weekend. 

Pictures have gave the impression of the crew trying out and the use of the groupset on-line because the wintry weather. Mads Pedersen even posted a video on Instagram of trying out it again in November final yr, which first alerted us to objects. For the reason that Opening Weekend marks the beginning of the Classics, it’s now not an excessive amount of of a wonder that the crew are actually the use of the apparatus.

The crew’s Trek Madone motorcycles had been fitted with 1x SRAM aero chain-rings on the entrance, which isn’t so atypical in this day and age, however on the rear the motorcycles had been fitted with SRAM Pink XPLR rear derailleurs and 13-speed 10-46T cassettes for a 1×13 setup. 

Pink XPLR is the gravel-specific variant of the Pink AXS street groupset. Each groupsets introduced final yr after SRAM overhauled Pink and created the brand new XPLR groupset. Pink XPLR makes use of the similar shifters and brakes because the Pink groupset however a distinct proprietary direct mount derailleur and 13-speed cassette and crankset. Particularly, the 13-speed cassette has the similar 12-speed spacing, which means that it may be used with a normal 12-speed SRAM Pink chain to minimise compatibility complications.

Pink XPLR makes use of a 13 pace cassette and propiatary higher derailleur  (Symbol credit score: Tom)Why use a gravel groupset for street racing?  

There may be most definitely a component of ‘as a result of we will’, and a certain quantity of ‘why now not?’ It is not like Pink AXS is not worthy for the cobbles. On the other hand, there are a couple of design options  inside Pink XPLR that make it well-suited to the tough and tumble of the classics. The affects, vibrations and terrain are, now and then, very similar to a gravel tournament, which is what Pink XPLR has been designed for. Making improvements to potency over tough flooring may provide Pedersen, Stuyven and co. with a pleasing benefit. 

The Pink XPLR derailleur is some distance higher than the usual Pink rear mech. The battery rather a lot horizontally, and the derailleur does not use any restrict or b-tension adjustment screws; you merely bolt it onto a motorbike body and no mechanical adjustment is needed. You’ll watch our Instagram reel under of me appearing the setup process. 

Pink AXS additionally makes use of a ‘complete mount’ UDH body interface, which means that no rear derailleur hanger is needed. The dropout eyelet within the body is sleeved, and the derailleur mount makes use of a unmarried, higher bolt. This will have to imply a extra powerful unit and no snapped hangers within the classics. 

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Pulley wheels are rather higher at 14 and 16 enamel, and the decrease makes use of the SRAM ‘magic pulley wheel’ which means that it’s going to stay rotating if a work of particles is going into it, perhaps a to hand characteristic for the reduce and thrust of the peloton. 

Importantly, particularly for the cobbled races, the pulley arm’s grab spring pressure used to be uprated to assist chain retention. It is actually company, which will have to supply a good benefit on the Excursion of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix particularly.