André Lopes' Specialized Shiv for Ironman 70.3 SP
With aggressive gearing, short cranks, and a custom aero cage, the triathlete breaks down his new time-trial setup.
André Lopes revealed the details of his Specialized Shiv setup for Ironman 70.3 São Paulo. The triathlete explained his transition to the new bike and showcased the aerodynamic and drivetrain secrets behind his machine.
In preparation for Ironman 70.3 São Paulo, André Lopes shared a detailed look at his Specialized Shiv setup. Coming off a recent switch from a Trek frame, the triathlete highlighted agility as the biggest noticeable change: as a lighter rider, the new bike delivers quicker acceleration out of corners and excellent climbing performance.
Aggressive drivetrain and short cranks
Equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, the Shiv features high-speed gearing: a single 58-tooth chainring paired with an 11-30 cassette. The setup uses 165 mm crank arms, a shorter length widely adopted in modern triathlon to optimize hip angles in the aero position.
For contact points and rolling performance, André chose a Wove saddle and Continental GP 5000 TT tires—a popular combination in the pro peloton thanks to low rolling resistance. The front end is fitted with an integrated cockpit from Delta Speed.
Freeky Fast aero bottle cage and wheelset
One of the most intriguing details sits at the rear: mounted on a TriRig base, hydration is handled by a Freeky Fast bottle cage. Handcrafted by an American pro triathlete, the conical cage is designed to save between 2 and 3 watts of aerodynamic drag while ensuring secure bottle retention.
Rounding out the build, André runs a Dura-Ace C60 front wheel and a prototype rear wheel engineered with Roval technology developed for Shimano testing, with plans for a future transition to the C99.