ELITE BIKE CHECK with Caroline Buchanan. 20.5 DK Professional V2

Mar 23, 2013

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 25614 times

Name: Caroline Buchanan
Hometown: Canberra Australia
2013 team: DK Bicycles
Bike: Professional V2 DK Bicycles
Sponsors: Cycling Australia, BMX Australia, Australian Institute Of Sport, DK Bicycles, Stromlo Forest Park, Musashi Nutrition, Oakley Eyewear, Leatt Neck Brace, Tioga Tires, Box Components, ACT Academy Of Sport, Monster Headphones, Fist Handwear, Fly Racing, Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, Riivo Cycling Shoes, Birzman Tools, Vie 13, ODI Grips, BackBone BMX.

-Frame: 20.5 Professional V2 DK
-Forks: BOX Carbon 20ml
-Headset: Promax G-45 headsets,
-Stem: BOX Delta oversized
-Bars: BOX Maximus

-Grips: ODI Ruffians
-Bar ends: ODI
-Brake lever: BOX Genius brake level
-Brake caliper: BOX Eclipse brakes
-Brake shoes: BOX X-Ray
-Chain: Izumi
-Chain tensioners: Built in DK frame chain tensioners
-Sprocket: Rennen
-Cranks: Promax 170ml
-Bottom Bracket set: Hawk
-Pedals: Toe straps
-Seatpost: Carbon BOX Echelon combined seat and post

-Seat: BOX Echelon combined seat and post
-Front tire: Tioga Power Block 1.75
-Front rim: BOX Focus rim
-Front hub: 20ml BOX Hollow hub
-Rear rim: BOX Focus rim
-Rear tire: Tioga Power Block 1.60
-Rear hub: 20ml BOX Hollow hub
-Number plate: BOX Components Phase 1

Weight: 19lbs

Do you have a team mechanic who works on your bike?
Caroline: Barry Nobles…jack of all trades

What part of the bike do you like the most?
Caroline: The frame! Isn't she beautiful :) stealth & sexy hahaha

How long did it take you to get used to your new bike?
Caroline: It was quite a quick transition from focussing at the start of the 2013 season racing my Airborne Downhill bike to jump straight onto my brand new DK bike and race the first race of the USA season in Arizona. Although the transition couldn't have been any better, I won the first ABA USA BMX National race of the season and I love the complete package of my bike.

What’s the trickest/coolest part of your bike?

Caroline: A lot of the components on my bike this year have trick little differences to them but my favorite is the BOX Components brake leaver with an ODI compatible all in one lock on bar mount.

Do you ever change gears any longer?
Caroline: I tend to only change my gearing switching between BMX and Supercross tracks with the bigger start ramp. I will put a larger chain ring on the front equaling out to a similar gear ratio to help with holding maximal top end speed off the 8m ramp and down the first straight.

What part do you replace most often during the season?
Caroline: ODI Grips..I hate the feeling of brand new grips but once they wear in just slightly they are perfect.