Features
Road

Carbon fiber is still king at the Worlds

By Wendy Booher

published 6 September 2007

Olympian and defending world champion Julien Absalon will put his Orbea Alma to the test this...

Comments

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Image 1 of 24

White is the new black(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

Absalon's BlackBox-spec Avid Juicy Ultimate carbon levers(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

The SRAM rear end(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

Super skinny, super light(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

Orbea's Alma helped Absalon(Image credit: Orbea)

Speed, distance, time, and changes in elevation(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

No granny gear for the Olympic champ!(Image credit: Wendy Booher)

Julien Absalon's Orbea Alma after winning the XC at the French National MTB Championships.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Olympic gold and rainbow stripes are all that's custom-tailored to Absalon's Alma.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Time's ATAC XS Titan Carbon pedals represent another French connection.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Wheels and tires are provided by Fulcrum's Red Metal Zero and Hutchinson Python Tubeless Light models.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Absalon's BlackBox-spec Avid Juicy Ultimate carbon levers are decorated with his name and a unique white paint job.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Speed, distance, time, and changes in elevation : Garmin provides Absalon with valuable data to achieve his goals.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

No granny gear for the Olympic champ! Absalon runs just a 32T and 44T ring from sponsor Truvativ.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Truvativ's Noir crankset set against a rainbow-striped backdrop.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

The SRAM rear end includes the X-0 20th anniversary rear derailleur, Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes, and PG-990 cassette.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

SRAM's X-9 derailleur handles shifting duties up front.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Absalon utilizes SRAM's latest PushLoc handlebar-located remote lockout lever, developed as part of the company's BlackBox program.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

White is the new black, but SID blue is about to come back into fashion in 2008.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Super skinny, super light : the Selle Italia SLR carbon saddle is mounted atop a Zeus carbon seatpost.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

Julien Absalon's signature bike.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)

The new X.0 rear derailleur uses a carbon outer cage plate but an aluminum inner one for a stiffer assembly.(Image credit: Wendy Booher/Cyclingnews.com)