The Norwegian duo of Olympic champion Krisitan Blummenfelt and 70.3 world champion Gustav Iden aren’t just countrymen, they’re teammates, training partners, and friends. They’re also both sure one of them will win the world title on Saturday; they just don’t know which one.
Their Giant Trinity bikes might look exactly the same—but there are a few small differences, right down to their different slogans on their custom wheels. And check out the modifications they made to get their set-ups as fast as possible.
Both are riding the newest Giant Trinity Advanced in a 54, but the major difference is Blummenfelt’s opted here for the Cadex 4-Spoke wheel in front. With the focus on the draft-legal Olympics earlier this year, Blummenfelt only started spending time on this bike this summer.
Blemmenfelt rides the 4-spoke in front and the Cadex disc in back. Because the wheels are hookless (making the tire sit more aerodynamically on the wheel), only certain tires work. Blummenfelt is riding a Giant P-SL1 25mm on the rear, while Iden is opting for the Cadex tubeless race tire.
Both also have their rear water bottle cages mounted via zip ties and rubber bands directly onto the seat, because aero testing confirmed having it low behind you was faster that pointing up. They’re both on the Giant TT saddle.
Both also have Drag 2 Zero aerobar extensions, but Blummenfelt doesn’t have the newest elbow cups.
As is becoming the trend among pros, he has his front Giant integrated hydration system positioned underneath the bars.
Blummenfelt’s custom wheelset has his slogan on it: “It hurts more to lose.”
Iden’s bike looks very similar—with a few small differences.
First off, while he has the same Drag 2 Zero bar and Giant hydration system, he’s duct taped the mount for his Garmin 1030 directly onto the extensions. (Blummenfelt has the 1030 Plus.)
Both have Durace Di2 with synchro shift.
Iden’s newer armpad cups have also been modified so that he could place them closer together. In order to fit the water bottle in such a narrow space, he had to cut off part of the carbon under the arm pads.
Both are also opting for the Cadex disc wheel in back, but Iden has the Cadex 65mm in front. His wheel also has his slogan paint on: “Winning is a choice.” Both of them also wax their chains themselves pre-race.
Both Iden and Blummenfelt are riding 170mm cranks with Durace pedals, and a 54-42 chainring, with an 11-30 cassette in the back.
The Giant integrated brake system is hidden, and Iden also relies on the integrated nutrition storage (though he won’t have as much in there on race day).
And both have the zip tie’d Xlab gorilla water bottle cage on the back of their Giant TT seat.
Whatever it takes to win.