Following on from Tailfin R&D Division rider Lachlan Morton’s incredible ride along the Tour Divide/GDMBR route, we got together with him to learn more about his bike and kit setup. Dig into the details and the reasons behind the bike and kit setup Lachlan Morton chose for his recent epic Canada to Mexico/Tour Divide FKT* ride.
Setting a blistering time of 12 days, 12 hours, and 21 minutes to get from Banff to Antelope Wells Lachlan proved panniers can be fast.
His setup also enabled him to pack plenty of storage onto his Cannondale Scalpel hardtail to ensure complete self-sufficiency on some of the more remote sections when he would need to be carrying 30 hours’ worth of food and water.
As a member of Tailfin’s R&D Division Lachlan was able to utilise a prototype frame bag and a unique new AeroPack top bag design, providing us with valuable feedback for future product development. He also opted to use a set of standard production 10L Mini Panniers, 1.1L Top Tube Pack (in prototype material), 3L Downtube Pack, and a 1.7L Downtube Pack under his aerobars.
Lachlan’s Tour Divide bike setup
Frame: Cannondale Scalpel Hi-Mod Ultimate hardtail
Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho, 100mm travel
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 AXS, 38T chainring, 10-52t cassette
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate
Wheels: FSA Gradient Off-road i29
Tyres: Vittoria Mezcal Graphene 2.0 29×2.35” with Airliner Light XC inserts
Handlebar: FSA KFX Carbon flat bar cut 64cm with FSA TT extensions
Stem: FSA adjustable
Seatpost: FSA Flowtron XC dropper
Saddle: Prologo Scratch M5 Space
GPS: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Tailfin Bikepacking Bags and Equipment
Under bar: 1.7L Downtube Pack
Top tube: 1.1L zipped Top Tube Pack (prototype form)
Frame: Prototype full frame bag
Downtube: 3L Downtube pack
Rear: Prototype Carbon AeroPack with 2x production 10L Mini Panniers