Pro bike: Merhawi Kudus' Trek Madone 7-Series

This article first appeared on BikeRadar.

Merhawi Kudus is not a name on many people’s lips, but those in the know believe the 20-year-old Eritrean is one of the hottest talents in cycling.

The MTN-Qhubeka rider – who finished second at the mountainous 2014 Tour de Langkawi – is currently competing at the Presidential Tour of Turkey. And the 184km stage three that finishes with a 11.5km summit finish above Elmali featured just the sort of terrain where the youngster is likely to burn up the opposition in the future as his fourth place suggests

While the team is eager to alleviate pressure on the youngster, we’re told he’s riding extremely well… so we thought we’d take a look at his Trek Madone 7-Series.

The frame itself is well known for its all-round capabilities – truncated aerofoil shaped tubes, a wide BB99 bottom bracket, a wind-hidden rear brake and a number of integrated features, such as chain catcher and computer magnet, give the 7-series the pro credentials MTN-Qhubeka could need.

And this one’s set up as a pure climber’s bike – and one for a rider who likes to pedal a high cadence too. It’s equipped with a SRAM RED 22 drivetrain and feathery, high performance Zipp 202 wheels. All in, this 54cm bike came in at dead on 6.8kg.

Kudus is a high cadence rider and his SRAM WiFli 11-32 gearing reflects that – an extra couple of sprockets in the low range provided all the spinning potential he could possibly need when the road headed up towards Elmali at the end of the day.

Complete bike specifications

Frame: Trek 7-series H1 (54cm)
Fork: Trek 7-Series KVF fork
Headset: Cane Creek integrated, tapered 1 1/8in-to-1 1/2in
Stem: FSA Energy (100mm)
Handlebars: FSA Omega Compact (c-t-c 400mm)
Front brake: SRAM RED
Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace Direct Mount
Levers: SRAM RED 22 DoubleTap
Front derailleur: SRAM RED 22
Rear derailleur: SRAM RED 22 WiFli
Cassette: SRAM RED 22 WiFli (11-32)
Chain: SRAM RED 22
Crankset: SRM Wireless PowerMeter SRAM RED 22 (53/39)
Pedals: Speedplay
Wheelset: Zipp 202
Front tyre: Schwalbe One
Rear tyre: Schwalbe One
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR SuperFlow
Bottle cages: Elite Custom Race (2)
Computer: SRM PowerControl 7 (not pictured)

Critical measurements

Rider height: 1.73m (5ft 7in)
Rider weight: 58kg (127lb)
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 723mm
Tip of saddle nose to centre of bars: 545mm
Head tube length: 125mm
Top tube length (actual): 54.5mm
Total bicycle weight (without computer): 6.8kg (14.99lb)

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Sam started as a trainee reporter on daily newspapers in the UK before moving to South Africa where he contributed to national cycling magazine Ride for three years. After moving back to the UK he joined Procycling as a staff writer in November 2010.