DNA STAFF - GRAVEL BIKE CHECK
The DNA staff/owners are getting ready for another year of epic gravel rides. Come see what bikes, routes, and races they have in store for the ’22 season.
JOE SEPULVEDA - OWNER/FOUNDER
BIO:
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 160 lbs
Hometown – Draper, UT
Bike – TREK Boone
Frame Size – 56cm
Favorite Race Kit – Pro Peleton Bib w/ Verde Rosa Jersey
JOE SEPULVEDA - OWNER/FOUNDER
BIO:
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 160 lbs
Hometown – Draper, UT
Bike – TREK Boone
Frame Size – 56cm
Favorite Race Kit – Pro Peleton Bib w/ Verde Rosa Jersey
– What bike is this, and why is it your gravel race bike of choice?
1. TREK Boone
2. Geometry is a bit more aggressive.
3. Saved over 2 lbs from my TREK Crocket.
4. Weight is 18.09 with SRAM Force Etap AXS, Bontrager Cockpit and ENVE M50/DT Swiss Wheelset.
– How long have you had this bike?
“6 Months”
TREK BOONE
Frame – Trek Boone
Wheels – ENVE M50/DT Swiss
Tires – Specialized Pathfinder
Drivetrain – SRAM Force Etap AXS
Brakes – SRAM Force
Cockpit – Bontrager
Pedals – Speedplay Zero / Egg beaters
Saddle – Fizik Arione
– Which race are you most anticipating for ’22
“SBT GRVL, it will be my first time riding the event.”
– What’s the longest ride you’ve done on this bike?
“So far our Corner Canyon – Silver Flat – Suncrest Gravel route.”
– What tires do you race on?
“Specialized Pathfinder Pro 700 x 42. Durable, good rolling resistance with enough tread when needed.”
SETH BRADLEY - OWNER/FOUNDER
BIO:
Height – 5’10”
Weight – 158 lbs
Hometown – Sandy, UT
Bike – Scott Addict Gravel 20
Frame Size – 54 cm
Favorite Race Kit – Race day jersey, Gravel Bibs
SETH BRADLEY - OWNER/FOUNDER
BIO:
Height – 5’10”
Weight – 158 lbs
Hometown – Sandy, UT
Bike – Scott Addict Gravel 20
Frame Size – 54cm
Favorite Race Kit – Race day jersey, Gravel bibs
– What bike is this, and why is it your gravel race bike of choice?
“Scott Addict Gravel 20. I have been riding a Kelson custom frame for several years and love it but wanted to try something a little different this year.”
– What wheels are you riding on?
“Reynolds Aero 46 with some Bontrager GR2 tires.”
SCOTT ADDICT GRAVEL 20
Frame – Scott Addict Gravel
Wheels – Reynolds Aero 46
Tires – Bontrager GR2 Team Issue
Drivetrain – Shimano Ultegra 2×11
Brakes – Shimano Ultegra
Cockpit – Synchro Stem, FSA Bar
Pedals – Crankbrothers Candy
Saddle – Syncro
– Which race are you most anticipating for ’22
“I am doing the Crusher for the 10th time this year. It always hurts but sometimes it hurts more and you go slower. I am hoping to not have that happen. I was excited to see the Wasatch allroad offer a 65 mile option which looks perfect for miles and elevation with some beautiful scenery but fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, I am a coach and have 2 daughters racing in the High School NICA league and they have a race that day so I will be missing that event this year.”
– What drivetrain do you use on race day?
“I have a straight up Ultegra 2×11 with a 50×34 on the front and an 11×30 in the rear. I have always preferred a 2x on a gravel/CX bike because it gives me that extra speed for the descents. I am not a great climber but I love to go downhill fast, so I have to play to my strengths.”
– Do you ride with “bike bags” during races?
“Lately, I have been using the DNA Cycling Dirt bag on the bars when training so I can carry extra snacks but the Crusher is so well stocked and supported that I will probably forgo that on raceday to save a few pounds.”
– Would you change anything on this bike?
“I swapped out the flaired bars that came on the bike for a standard 42cm road bar. I saw a guy riding a bike the other day with a weed whacker engine attached to a rack on the back of his bike making it some sort of pedal assist/motorcycle/bicycle. I have been thinking about making that conversion on this bike.”
TODD ERICKSON - DESIGNER
BIO:
Height – 6’4″
Weight – 195 lbs
Hometown – Salt Lake City, UT
Bike – Santa Cruz Stigmata
Frame Size – 58 cm
Favorite Race Kit – Raceday Jersey, Gravel Bibs
TODD ERIKSON - DESIGNER
BIO:
Height – 6’4″
Weight – 195 lbs
Hometown – Salt Lake City, UT
Bike – Santa Cruz Stigmata
Frame Size – 58cm
Favorite Race Kit – Race day jersey, Gravel bibs
– What bike is this, and why is it your gravel race bike of choice?
“Santa Cruz Stigmata 58cm. The geometry is progressive enough that it feels fast with tire sizes ranging from 32c or 47c tires. Out of all my bikes, this one’s is the most like a Swiss Army knife.”
– What’s your tire size and pressure for race-day?
“Usually 40-42c 26-28 psi”
SANTA CRUZ STIGMATA
Frame – Santa Cruz Stigmata
Wheels – Bontrager Aeolus 51
Tires – Continental Terra Tires
Drivetrain – SRAM AXS Mullet Build
Brakes – Force AXS
Cockpit – Bontrager
Pedals – Crankbrothers
Saddle – Bontrager Verse Pro
– Which race are you most anticipating for ’22
“Dirty Dino down in Vernal looks like it could be a very fast and fun course, but I think Wasatch All-Road will be the one I look forward to the most.”
– What makes this bike your go-to race rig?
“You can’t always have fast, comfortable and lightweight with bicycles, usually, you only get two of those three choices. The Stigmata has always been a favorite bike for me because it achieves a little bit of all three categories. It’s not the lightest bike, but it’s gives me the most confidence when I ride because I can sit on it all day and still throw it into a corner and usually not wreck.”
– What’s your favorite component on your bike?
“Saddle. The new Bontrager Verse Pro saddle is one of the most comfortable saddles I have ever ridden.”
– How many bikes do you own? Is it difficult to decide which bike to ride?
“7 bikes. I always have a hard time choosing which bike to ride, that’s why I have one for every day of the week.”
HOLDEN ANDERSON - ACCOUNT MANAGER
BIO:
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 147 lbs
Hometown – Draper, UT
Bike – Pivot LES
Frame Size – Large
Favorite Race Kit – Raceday Jersey, Gravel Bibs
HOLDEN ANDERSON - ACCOUNT MANAGER
BIO:
Height – 5’11”
Weight – 147 lbs
Hometown – Draper, UT
Bike – Pivot LES
Frame Size – Large
Favorite Race Kit – Race day jersey, Gravel bibs
– What bike is this, and why is it your gravel race bike of choice?
“This is the Pivot LES, and this is my go to bike because I love the geometry and feel of this bike. It is a climbing machine. It’s also my favorite bike.”
– Why single speed instead of gears?
“I enjoy the simplicity of single speeding, you just ride and your gear is your gear. If it gets harder you stand up. My body has sort of adjusted to the rhythm of single speeding.”
PIVOT LES
Frame – Pivot LES
Wheels – Bontrager Kovee Pro 30
Tires – Maxxis Ardent
Drivetrain – Single Speed
Brakes – Shimano XT
Cockpit – ENVE
Pedals – Shimano XT
Saddle – Ergon Pro Titanium
– How do you pick your gears?
“I don’t change the gearing often, but for races I will adjust my gear based on previous experience with the course, or similar courses. Usually not changing the gear by more than 1 step.”
– Do you have a geared gravel bike?
“I do have a geared gravel bike and I do ride it. I have a Santa Cruz Stigmata.”
– What’s your favorite DNA Kit?
“For gravel events where the course typically allows for frequent and relatively easy nutrition while on the bike, I prefer the Gravel Bib for easy access to all my mid-race snacks and goodies. I like to pair this with our Race Day w/ Kite Jersey for the aero race fit, and to beat the heat on those long exposed gravel roads.”
– Would you change anything about this bike?
“I wouldn’t change anything about this bike right now as I type this. While climbing the Col de Crush I often think about changing the gear or selling the bike.”
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Three route options with varying distances, vertical, and locations. Plenty of dirt & asphalt for all. #pavementendspartybegins
Coalville, UT
Draper, UT
Heber, UT
A WEEKEND AT THE RACES
The DNA staff packed up and headed down to Vernal for the inaugural Dirty Dino Gravel Grinder. This event exceeded all expectations. The team opted for the Dino Bite with 59 miles and 5600 ft of vert. Within the first 15 miles, we gained 3100 ft of vert climbing Taylor Mountain Road. After the main climb, riders found rolling terrain with punchy climbs and fast descents. Temps were perfect. The higher riders climbed, the cooler it became. The final summit push for the Dino Bite loop passes by Simm’s peak at mile 30. With 29 miles left, riders start the descent back to the finish.
For those wondering about support, it couldn’t have been better. Aid stations were stocked, and the volunteers were fantastic. This event is on our to-do list for years to come. Highly recommend.
