Zirbel's Jamis Xenith T2 has Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical drivetrain, C50 front wheel, a Pro rear disk, Profile Design aerobars and brake levers, a Ritchey stem, Tektro brakes and a San Marco saddle. Photo: Nick Legan
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
Download the app.
Zirbel was on a good ride at ATOC until his seatpost slipped. Photo: Casey B. Gibson
Tom Zirbel is back racing after his recent suspension. At the SRAM Tour of the Gila he raced with the Hotel San Jose team, but when his bike broke on stage 2, he was quickly aboard a Jamis road bike. Soon after Jamis-Sutter Home announced that they had signed the big time trial specialist and he would line up at the Amgen Tour of California with the squad.
His debut in Jamis colors was a bit lackluster in California. His time trial in Solvang was derailed when his seat post slipped. But Zirbel is off to Greenville, South Carolina, this weekend for the U.S. pro championships, where he’ll try to win the time trial stars ‘n stripes jersey that has narrowly alluded him for years.
Here’s a gallery of the machine he’ll ride, a Jamis Xenith T2. Jamis clearly targets the triathlon market with its Xenith T2 (even the name alludes to the transitions in triathlon. T2 is the switch from bike to run). It also shows very clearly in the amount of setback that Zirbel runs in order to get UCI legal.
Zirbel’s Jamis Xenith T2 has Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical drivetrain, C50 front wheel, a Pro rear disk, Profile Design aerobars and brake levers, a Ritchey stem, Tektro brakes and a San Marco saddle. Photo: Nick Legan
The Xenith T2 has a 78 degree seat tube angle. Fortunately they make a carbon seat post with a lot of setback. Zirbel still had his saddle slammed back on the rails to achieve his position. Photo: Nick Legan
While Jamis-Sutter Home is sponsored by Shimano, they have a collection of other non-branded wheels at the team’s disposal for time trials. Photo: Nick Legan
Zirbel cranks along on 177.5 mm crank arms. Photo: Nick Legan
Zirbel uses a Profile Design CX3 aerobar. The internal routing keeps cables tidy and they offer a lot of adjustability. No bartape for Zirbel, but he does keep an eye on his power. His SRM mount is right in front of him. Photo: Nick Legan
Jamis calls its aero fork the Windshield as it hides the front brake. The oval rubber grommet comes off to allow access to the brake pads for adjustment. Photo: Nick Legan
So much of bicycle aerodynamics has to do with reducing frontal area. Jamis hides the front brake behind the fork to smooth air flow. Photo: Nick Legan
A zip tie keeps all the cables in place and out of the wind. The Xenith runs cable housing from the shifter to this set of cable stops. Xenith T2’s are spec’d with BB30. It’s likely that mechanics installed an English-threaded adapter. Photo: Nick Legan
The yellow tape marks Zirbel’s seat height. The wide clearance around the tire helps with airflow. Photo: Nick Legan
Rear-facing dropouts make wheel changes extremely difficult but do allow the rear wheel to be tucked closely behind the seat tube. Photo: Nick Legan
Zirbel hasn’t spent much time on the Jamis yet so his mechanic left the fork steerer and cables a bit long to allow for further tinkering. Hopefully everything will be cleaned up before Greenville. Photo: Nick Legan
