2016 World Cyclocross Championship silver medalist Caroline Mani may have raced her last cyclocross race on cantilevers at the 2016 Sea Otter Classic cyclocross race. As she told us when we spoke with her after her win in Monterey, California, next year she and her Raleigh-Clement teammates will all be on Raleigh's RXC Pro Disc bikes. So this may be the last time we get to take a look at her current Raleigh RXC Pro. And, based on what she told us, it may be the last time we see her on Shimano as her team's drivetrain sponsor might change.
Caroline Mani's Raleigh RXC Pro - Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
Mani's current RXC Pro is built of what Raleigh calls its Direct Connect Carbon. The frame features a press fit 30 bottom bracket shell and of course cantilever bosses rather than post or flat mount disc brake mounts. The full carbon fork is tapered 1-1/8" to 1.5" and the whole package is Raleigh's signature blue, like the company's new disc brake-equipped kids 'cross bike, the RX24.
Mani's drivetrain is built around Shimano's Ultegra Di2 system, complete with the component maker's Ultegra Di2 levers, a rarity of sorts given the growing prevalence of disc brakes and Shimano's RS685 and R785 levers. Mani also runs a set of Shimano's climber shifters with the the buttons positioned facing forward on the drivetrain side of her handlebar, a rather unique setup. As Mani also told us, "I’m very particular with my equipment and what goes on my bike." While Shimano currently provides the levers and derailleurs, Mani uses FSA's SL-K carbon crankset. The bike stops on TRP Revox Carbon cantilevers.
Caroline Mani's Raleigh RXC Pro - Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
FSA also provides Mani's cockpit components with an alloy stem, the K-Force bars and an SL-K carbon seat post. The whole bike rolls on Vision's Metron 40 carbon tubulars wrapped, of course, in Clement's MXP tubular tires. Mani also uses Crank Brothers Eggbeater 11s.
Mani's bike was the same setup she rode in Zolder, albeit not the exact same bike. Maybe not as versatile as Raleigh's new Stuntman model perhaps, but it seems to have suited Mani just fine. We'll see how she fares on disc brakes and maybe some other changes as she targets the World Cup overall for the coming season.
More info: raleighusa.com
Caroline Mani's Raleigh RXC Pro Cyclocross Bike Specification Highlights
Frame: Raleigh RXC Pro carbon
Fork: Raleigh RXC Pro full carbon, tapered
Stem: FSA alloy
Handlebar: FSA K-Force carbon
Shift/brake levers: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Crankset: FSA SL-K carbon
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Brake calipers: TRP Revox Carbon cantilever
Seatpost: FSA SL-K
Saddle: SLR type/style
Pedals: Crank Brothers Eggbeater 11
Wheels: Vision Metron 40 carbon tubular
Tires: Clement MXP tubular
Simple and light. Two advantages of cantilever brakes on Mani’s Raleigh. © Cyclocross Magazine
