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The winning rig - Craig Alexander's Specialized Shiv   Bookmark and Share
images by Nick Salazar   •   Oct 8, 2011   •   hits 137,858

Craig Alexander's 2011 Kona Rig is a brand new, beautifully-built Specialized Shiv.
 
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Two-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander has been shrouded in mystery surrounding what bike he would be riding going forward. At last, the veil has been lifted, and we know he'll be on a Specialized Shiv. One of Crowie's goals in getting a new bike was to improve the aerodynamics that some speculate cost him the win at Kona in 2010. This year, there's no way that aerodynamics will be a problem. Crowie's Shiv is not only one of the fastest frames ever made, but his High Performance Advisor Mat Steinmetz set it up clean as a whistle. The rig is all set for Crowie to scream down the Queen K into T2 and unleash his fearsome run.


Craig Alexander's 2011 Kona Rig is a brand new, beautifully-built Specialized Shiv.

Craig's cockpit is deceptively simple-looking, but quite involved - salt sticks, cycling computer, Fuelselage hydration system, and a BTA bottle all tucked cleanly away.

The hindquarters of Crowie's Shiv.



The Shimano Pro Missile Evo bar looks GREAT with the Shiv. They were born to be together.

Even though I wish that brake was a centerpull, the frontal profile is beautiful.

Top shot of the cockpit - BTA duties go to Aerolab, though that bottle could easily be mounted with zip ties.

Though the Pro Missile Evo stem leaves a small gap in front of the Control Tower fairing on the Shiv, it's still a very clean setup. Interesting tidbit - to achieve his position with the high-stack EVO bars, Crowie had to remove the top cap on his headset to get low enough.

This is all the exposed cable on the bike, and Mat Steinmetz tells me that he's going to clean it up even more before the race, to tuck even closer to the frame. Interesting tidbit - to achieve his position with the high-stack EVO bars, Crowie had to remove the top cap on his headset - you can see just the exposed bearing here, which is loaded directly by the stem and a split ring between it and the bearing.

Mat Steinmetz is Craig Alexander's High Performance Advisor, and gave us the low-down on specific choices he helped Crowie to make in order to optimize his bike setup for usability and aerodynamics.

A single Chris Lieto-style bottle cage in back reduces drag and simplifies Crowie's hydration setup. Especially with the extra water provided by the Fuelselage, he doesn't need excess bottles back there.

Crowie's sponsor Retul gets a plug on the seatpost.

The Shiv's downtube bulges behind the brake to fair it, and stiffen the front end.

Crowie rides Enduro Ceramic bearings.

Just training wheels - a set of 50mm Shimano C50 clinchers with 25mm Continental GPX 4000 tires.

Shimano Di2 front derailleur, and the stock chain catcher that comes with every S-Works Shiv.

That is one MEAN looking bike from the front. I think Crowie is ready to take names on Saturday.

When not being ridden, the Shiv makes an excellent podium to lean on.




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