Pro Bike Profile: Katerina Nash’s Orbea Terra TDR Carbon Cyclocross Bike

Katerina Nash, in our feature on her Issue 13 said, “The bottom line is that cyclocross is all I want to race.”  It’s clear the Luna rider meant it, and has been anxiously waiting for this season to begin. She’s transitioned from her mountain bike schedule into this year’s cyclocross season fully motivated and fit, going three-for-three with big wins at CrossVegas, StarCrossed and the Rapha GP.

While winning is nothing new for the Czech champion and World bronze medalist, her bike is. Nash piloted her brand-new Orbea Terra TDR carbon cyclocross bike with Shimano Di2 to a CrossVegas win. It was her very first race on the bike she’d just recently received.

The Terra is Orbea’s first carbon cyclocross bike, with monocoque carbon construction, a tapered 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″ head tube and fork steerer, and the company’s DCR (Direct Cable Routing) technology that integrates Gore Ride-On cable systems into the frame. Nash opts to not utilize the DCR feature however, as her bike is equipped with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic drivetrain, and thus doesn’t have shift cables.

The Terra comes in three models, the $2799 T105 with Shimano 105 and Mavic Aksium wheels, the $3699 Terra TLT with Shimano Ultegra and Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels, and the high-zoot $7499 Terra TDR that Nash’s bike is based off of, which features Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Zipp 303 Cyclocross wheels. Nash keeps the Di2 but does not ride Zipp wheels, and instead races the carbon-spoked R-Sys wheels from her sponsor Mavic.

Besides the Mavic wheels, the rest of the bike is almost entirely Shimano. Dura-Ace Di2 componentry and a 46-tooth 7900-level chainring certainly are still rare parts at cyclocross races, but the rest of Nash’s Orbea Terra’s build is relatively standard. Shimano’s new CX70 cantilever brakes handle stopping, Dugast Rhino tubulars provide the grip, Shimano XTR race pedals let Nash apply the power, and Shimano’s PRO cockpit and a Selle Italia SLR saddle provides the perches. Out back, a 12-27 Dura-Ace rear cassette keeps everything rolling. Nash would use a 12-28 if she could, but says, “we cannot use a 28 tooth cassette with Di2 or it will rip the derailleur off.”

The CX70 brakes are brand new for 2012, and Nash likes them for both their function and their appearance. “[The brakes are] super sweet…Shimano nailed it this time,” Nash says.  “They are light, powerful, easy to set up and adjust any time, and match the look of the Dura Ace.”

There are a few interesting details: Nash, despite her small stature, opts for relatively long 172.5mm crankarms on all her bikes, and a relatively tall 39/46 tooth chainring combination (the bigger rings are needed for Di2). Want the same 7900-series chainring for your ride?  Good luck, as it’s a custom ring made only for Shimano’s sponsored riders.  You’ll have to settle for a 7800-series ring that is available to consumers.

The fork also comes with a fork-mounted cable hanger, which provides extra insurance against fork chatter. Careful eyes will notice she utilizes an inline cable adjuster for her rear brake, inserted just at the rear of the top tube.

With Nash’s new focus on cyclocross, you can be sure that you’ll see this bike at the front of races throughout the season.

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