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Gear

Pro Bike Gallery: Ferekalsi Debesay’s MTN-Qhubeka Trek Madone 7

A custom fork and a little help from up high highlight the former Eritrean time trial champion's Trek Madone

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Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Pro
MTN-Qhubeka’s Frekalsi Debesay tackled Wednesday’s Schedleprijs aboard his usual Trek Madone 7, beefed up with wider Schwalbe One tires (we measured 26mm). The rest of his setup was quite standard, with the exception of a modified brake mount on his fork. The Madone usually takes a dual-bolt front brake, but sponsor SRAM doesn’t make one, so the MTN bikes have a custom fork that is compatible with standard single-bolt road brakes. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Normal brake, custom fork. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Debesay, a former Eritrean national time trial champion, was looking for a bit of extra help on Wednesday. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Debesay is one of MTN’s Eritrean contingent. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
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The team is intent on bringing African cycling into the world stage, and just got its first grand tour invite, for the Vuelta a Espana this fall. It is the first grand tour invite for any African team. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Debesay isn’t a big rider, as his 52cm Madone frame shows, but he is an excellent time trialist. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
The move to 11-speed as resulted in tighter gear ratios, meaning less change in cadence with each shift. When bikes were 10-speed, the 11-28 tooth cassette was reserved for climbing days. Now the ratios are tight enough on these wide cassettes that many pros, like Debesay, are simply riding the 11-28 every day, regarless of terrain. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Most teams switch to metal bottle cages for the cobbles. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
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Debesay rides on Selle Italia’s iconic Flite saddle. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro
Zipp 303 Firecrest tubular wheels with Schwalbe One 26mm (measured) tires. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Pro

Stay On Topic

An American in France

What’s it like to be an American cyclist living in France? Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowski’s view.

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