by Greg Evans
We're continuing our look at winning and interesting bikes from the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships, from riders that are heading to Zolder this weekend for the World Championships. You can get the latest on the World Championships here.
Last year, we saw Andrew Dillman take the Men’s D1 Collegiate National Championship aboard his Trek Crockett. This year, he returned on a much brighter bike to repeat the feat and continue his reign as champion. Here we take a closer look at the Trek Boone 9 disc that Dillman rode to victory
Andrew Dillman’s 2016 D1 Collegiate Men Nationals-winning Trek Boone 9 Disc. © Cyclocross Magazine
The color wasn’t the only major change to Dillman’s bike for the 2016 race, as the Trek Boone 9 is a completely different model from the Crockett that he rode in 2015.
The Boone features a carbon frame, where the Crockett was made from aluminum. The frame is constructed using Trek’s 600 series OCLV carbon and features Trek-specific highlights, like their IsoSpeed decoupler. While the rear end of the bike has vertical dropouts, the front end utilizes Trek’s IsoSpeed carbon disc fork, which features a through axle. This particular colorway is specific to the Trek Boone 9 frameset, and while it is available in a canti-post version, Dillman has opted for the disc version instead.
Dillman had a turkey claw zip tied to his Zipp Service Course stem. The claw is a gift that was given to Dillman by a close friend shortly before passing. He keeps a claw on both his A and B bikes in his friend’s memory. © Cyclocross Magazine
The bike is comprised of primarily SRAM components. The drivetrain features a SRAM Force 1 crank and rear derailleur. Bolted to the crank is a 42 tooth SRAM X-Sync chainring, which provided low-enough gearing for Dillman to ride heckle hill, a tactic that put him well ahead of his competitors. The brakes are also SRAM Force 1, and the hydraulic calipers are run to a set Force 1 hydraulic shift/brake levers. The calipers bite down on a set of SRAM centerline rotors.
The component spec was clearly chosen with some attention paid to aesthetics, as the bike featured a few hue- and color-matched bits including a set of Crankbrothers Candy Pedals and an SDG Duster P RL saddle. The saddle was a recent addition to the bike, and, according to Dillman, it has proven to be a comfortable choice.
Dillman’s Trek rolled on Challenge Limus tubulars fitted to a set of Zipp 30 Course aluminum wheels.
The cockpit is a collection of Zipp Service Course components. The Zipp name continues on to the wheels, as the bike rolls on a set of 30 Course aluminum tubulars. The wheels were fitted with a set of Challenge Limus tires, chosen for their prowess on slick terrain. The Limus was such a popular choice for Dillman’s team that there were not enough tires to go around. After Dillman finished his race, the wheelset was fitted to a teammate’s bike for their respective event.
Victory for Andrew Dillman. © R. Riott / Cyclocross Magazine
One very unique highlight of the bike is the turkey claw that is zip-tied to the stem. Yes the claw is from an actual turkey, but the message that it bears is much more meaningful. It was given to Dillman by a close friend who has since passed away, and now serves as a memorial that accompanies him onto the course.
In addition to the claw, another unique feature was the name plate on the bike’s top tube. It featured the same name used on Dillman’s Twitter handle, “DizzleDillman.” If he has never live-tweeted a race, with a 40+ second gap between him and the second place finisher at Nationals, it doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility.
Andrew Dillman's National Championship-Winning Trek Boone 9 Disc Spec Highlights:
Frame: 2016 Trek Boone 9 Disc
Fork: Trek IsoSpeed carbon, through-axle
Shift/Brake Levers: SRAM Force 1 hydraulic
Brake Calipers: SRAM Force 1 hydraulic
Rotors: SRAM Centerline
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1
Front Derailleur: N/A
Crankset: SRAM Force 1, 42 tooth SRAM X-Sync
Saddle: SDG Duster P RL, ti-alloy rails
Seatpost: Bontrager seatmast cap
Stem: Zipp Service Course
Handlebars: Zipp Service Course
Pedals: Crankbrothers Candy
Wheels: Zipp 30 Course tubulars, aluminum, Zipp 77/177 hubset
Tires: Challenge Limus
More info: http://www.trekbikes.com
Andrew Dillman's National Championship-Winning Trek Boone 9 Disc Photo Gallery:
Dillman has a turkey claw zip tied to his Zipp Service Course stem. The claw is a gift that was given to Dillman by a close friend shortly before their passing. He keeps a claw on both his A and B bikes in his friend’s memory. © Cyclocross Magazine
