Pro Bike: Jerome Clementz's Cannondale Jekyll

Jérôme Clémentz earned the No. 1 bib plate for the fourth round of the Enduro World Series, held in conjunction with the Colorado Freeride Festival July 26-28 in Winter Park. He’s achieved the series lead astride Cannondale’s carbon fiber Jekyll, a 150mm travel, 26-inch-wheeled bike. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Many enduro riders find creative ways to stash a spare tube and avoid the weight of a hydration pack in shorter stages. Clementz’s Jekyll has a convenient nook where he can fit one. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Like many top-tier SRAM athletes, Clémentz enjoys the benefits of the BlackBox program. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a personalized decal on his Pike fork. Also of note, Clémentz and several other European racers favor these low-profile mudguards. Given the extremely variable weather at this year’s Colorado Freeride Festival, they’re not a bad idea. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

There’s only one guy who gets a gold number plate. Watch him ride, and you’ll understand why. Look above the right corner of the number and you’ll also notice more personalized SRAM BlackBox goodness. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Clémentz doesn’t run a front derailleur. The XX1 GripShift is actually used to adjust his Jekyll’s rear suspension between 90mm and the full 150mm. Below the twister is the ubiquitous dropper-post lever, a SRAM Reverb. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Clémentz is clearly well supported by SRAM, but he seems to be particular about pedals. We’d bet these well-worn XTRs are his favorites. For many elite racers, certain equipment preferences are non-negotiable. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

It doesn’t take an eagle eye to figure out whose bike this is. Based on his blazing fast times this past weekend, Clémentz doesn’t touch the brake levers too often. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Clémentz rolls on Mavic’s new Crossmax Enduro wheel-tire system. Out back, the Roam tire has a lower-profile tread for decreased rolling resistance. We rode this setup throughout the weekend and found that while the Roam can be a little unruly when conditions are loose or greasy, it’s quite predictable. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Out front, a meaty 2.4-inch Mavic Charge tire takes care of steering. We were very satisfied with how this front tire gripped and braked. If rolling resistance were of no concern, the Charge would be excellent both front and rear. It and the Roam have dual-ply UST casing. Heavy, but reliable. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

Clémentz is one of the most affable athletes at the venue. His passion for enduro, and mountain biking in general, is contagious. “At enduro, you can come, enjoy, finish the race and have a good time,” he says. “It’s not only about the race. The race is just one part of the weekend.” We’d estimate this to be true for the majority of racers, but this friendly, 5-foot-6 Frenchman didn’t travel all the way to Colorado to settle for second place. After finishing top five in four of five stages, Clémentz bested his legendary countryman Nicolas Vouilloz by 37 seconds over the course of about 41 minutes of racing. Photo: Spencer Powlison | VeloNews.com

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Pro Bike: Jerome Clementz’s Cannondale Jekyll

Spencer Powlison examines Jérôme Clémentz's Cannondale Jekyll at the Colorado Freeride Festival

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