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Cross-country race bike of choice for 'The Lung'

By James Huang in Traverse City, Michigan

published 14 November 2007

Living mountain bike legend Ned Overend continues to defy the laws of time. At 52 years of age, the...

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…is augmented by its Brain-equipped AFR rear shock.

Overend is currently testing

Specialized team riders get to use

The carbon fiber arms are said to be

Overend uses a coated NoTubes aluminum rotor

Four-time winner (and Michigan native) Kelli Emmett

Ned Overend used a Specialized S-Works Epic at last weekend's Iceman Cometh Challenge in Michigan.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The carbon front triangle includes a burly front end.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The frame boasts minimal filler material, no paint, and sparse decaling.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Specialized's FSR rear suspension design…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…is augmented by its Brain-equipped AFR rear shock.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Overend is currently testing Rock Shox's new SID fork.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Specialized team riders get to use MTB versions of its otherwise road-only S-Works FACT Carbon integrated crankset.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The carbon fiber arms are said to be both super stiff and ultralight.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Overend uses a coated NoTubes aluminum rotor out back…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…but prefers the better modulation of the Carbon-Ti titanium rotor up front.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The Magura Marta SL is Overend's brake of choice.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Overend's S-Works Epic was equipped with the Specialized Roval Contrôle XC Race Disc wheelset.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The front hub uses a 2:1 lacing pattern to help equalize spoke tension.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Overend used the fast rolling Fast Trak LK tread pattern on the fast two-track Iceman course.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

How much does that weigh again?(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Specialized Sidewinder grips are the lowest profile option in the company's catalog.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A sturdy aluminum bar plug allows Overend to run bar ends on the carbon bar.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The tried-and-true Shimano PD-M959 pedals keep Overend securely attached.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

SRAM's X.0 rear derailleur knocks off shifts out back.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The clever stem mount computer sits out of the way but remains visible.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A pair of cages keeps 'The Lung' well hydrated.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

WTB's neoprene chain stay protector is thick enough to dull out chain slap.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Overend raced the Iceman Cometh Challenge for the first time this year.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Even pro racers have to fend for themselves from time to time.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The double seat collar clamps the seatpost itself and the top of the frame.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Jeremey Horgan-Kobelski ran a special Gary Fisher Superfly for the Iceman.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

One-off carbon fiber tubular wheels graced both the front…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

… and the rear of his machine.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

The carbon fiber rim is both lightweight and strong.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Big, fat 45mm-wide Dugast tubulars fought hard for grip in Michigan's sandy terrain.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Plenty of tire clearance here…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…but not much crankarm clearance here!(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

JHK ran just two chainrings.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Little bits of rubber on the Crank Brothers Egg Beater pedals add a bit of grip and quiet things down.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Heather Irmiger also ran a 29er for the Iceman…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

… with narrow 1.8" wide tires.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Four-time winner (and Michigan native) Kelli Emmett ran her usual Giant Anthem Advanced.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

A beefier front tire kept Emmett upright in the corners…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

…but a faster rolling tread out back helped keep her ahead of the field.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)

Fox Racing Shox may not make its F80X fork anymore but that doesn't mean pros can't have one if they want one.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)