Ed Laverack's Championship-Winning Bike: A Deep Dive into Lightweight Cycling Technology

Ed Laverack recently clinched his second British National Hill Climb Championship, outperforming formidable rivals on the challenging Porlock Toll Road. This triumph, seven years after his initial win, was the culmination of meticulous preparation, a demanding course perfectly suited to his capabilities, and a significantly modified Scott Addict RC Ultimate bicycle, meticulously engineered for peak performance.

Laverack's impressive achievement saw him complete the 6.6km course, featuring an average gradient of 5.5%, in a remarkable 14 minutes and 32.1 seconds. This time placed him 1.2 seconds ahead of the four-time national champion, Andrew Feather. While junior champion Erza Bateman posted a slightly faster time, Laverack's consistent power and strategic equipment choices proved decisive.

The core of Laverack's success lies in his custom-built Scott Addict RC Ultimate. This model is renowned for being one of the lightest production road bikes available. Laverack further reduced its weight to an astonishing 5.9kg by integrating a selection of high-end and specialized carbon components. The frameset itself, crafted from Scott's premium HMX-SL carbon, boasts an advertised weight of just 640g for a medium frame and 270g for the fork, making it an exceptionally lightweight foundation. The bike's striking chrome finish adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Among the most notable modifications are the Brink Velix-Evo 2.0 wheels. While slightly heavier than some shallower options at around 865g per pair, their 37mm deep rims and aerodynamic carbon spokes were chosen to balance weight reduction with improved aerodynamics. These wheels feature a progressive design with a 23mm internal and 30mm external width, paired with 700x28c Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed tires set up tubeless for optimal rolling resistance. The Gemini Rigel 1x carbon chainring, weighing only 92g, is another key component, half the weight of a standard SRAM Red aero chainring. Laverack's choice of a 42-tooth chainring on SRAM Force cranks, equipped with a single-sided Quarq power meter and a waxed chain, underscores his focus on minimizing weight and maximizing drivetrain efficiency.

Further weight-saving measures include the use of SPD-SL-compatible Rock Bros pedals, which are approximately 70g lighter than standard Dura-Ace pedals. The absence of a front derailleur and its mount, with the hole sealed to prevent water ingress, demonstrates an extreme dedication to shedding every possible gram. Despite the emphasis on weight, Laverack also considered aerodynamics, particularly for the final headwind section of the climb. He utilized a full stack of spacers, approximately 40mm, to raise the front end, finding a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and power output. Additionally, a tiny light was integrated into the cockpit, fulfilling the obligatory lighting requirements for hill climbs without adding unnecessary bulk.

Laverack's gearing setup was carefully chosen for the climb, featuring the 42-tooth chainring combined with a 10-26 tooth SRAM Red AXS cassette. This cassette, machined from a single piece of steel, weighs a mere 175g. Considering his average speed of 27kph, a larger sprocket was deemed unnecessary, highlighting the precise calibration of his bike for the specific demands of the course.