Congratulations to Geoff Kabush (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) and Catharine Pendrel (Luna Chix Pro Team), Melanie McQuaid (Specialized), and Paul Thomasberg for their podium finishes in the grueling 2010 BC Bike Race. While each of their podium categories was unique, they had one distinct advantage in common: 2011 Shimano XTR equipped bikes.
The Shimano sponsored seven day stage race is widely considered one of the most epic multi-day off-road stage races in the world. Linking together singletrack trails that range from fast and flowing to rocky and technical provide the ultimate testing ground for an athlete’s fitness as well as the parts that help them to traverse the terrain.
Introduced in 1991, XTR has a championship pedigree spanning nearly 20 years. For 2011, XTR emphasizes more options than ever that allow every cyclist to build their bike with the specs that best suit the way that they ride. With triple and double cranks to lightweight or trail duty disc brakes, new XTR is Rider Tuned.
Long time Shimano Skunk Development Rider Paul Thomasberg’s version of Rider Tuned was a triple crank, 11-36 cogset, and ispec shifters bolted to trail brake levers. The race spec calipers and pads were used with Ice Tech rotors. Paul summed up his spec as, “My goal was to not do anything to the bike (during the race) except lube the chain, and I was able to do that.”

2011 XTR will be available in bike shops this fall