Alison Dunlap's Orbea Igorre. © Cyclocross Magazine
Alison Dunlap (Team Luna Chix) returned to cyclocross racing after retiring in 2005 and quickly reestablished herself as one of the top female ‘crossers in America. Podiums and top-fives in some of the biggest US races culminated with a run at a seventh national cross title. The two-time Olympian settled for fourth in Bend but made it clear that, even with a few years’ rest, she can still ride with the best. The bike that Dunlap and the rest of the formidable Luna Team have been torturing fields on this year is the Orbea Igorre.
The Orbea Igorre frame is a straightforward affair, constructed of 6000-series aluminum tubes tig-welded together in a fairly standard ‘cross geometry. The lengthened chainstays and wheelbase, when compared to Orbea’s aluminum road bikes, provides added stability and clearance for cyclocross tires. The raised bottom bracket enhances ground clearance and will help limit pedal strikes in the corners. The tubes used for the frame are fairly standard, with the shaping limited to a bi-ovalized down tube to enhance strength and stiffness at the head tube and bottom bracket junctions. The seat and chainstays are also finessed to improve mud clearance. The frame is complemented by the addition of an Easton EC90X carbon fork.
Dunlap relies on the tried and true Dura Ace group for the drivetrain of her Igorre. The cranks are a double ring setup featuring an FSA outer chainring, with the chain guided by a Dura Ace front derailleur. Like a lot of other pros, even those not running many Shimano parts, Dunlap’s connection to her bike is through Shimano XTR pedals. Brakes from Kore add the power to bring the bike to a halt when Dunlap finally decides to stop. The Kore cantilevers, introduced last year, are a wide profile setup that further enhance the mud clearance on the Orbea.
With Maxxis one of the sponsors of the Luna team, it’s not surprising to see Dunlap running tubulars with no markings as to brand or model. Since Maxxis doesn’t currently make a cross tubular, or any tubular for that matter, Luna seems to be looking elsewhere for rubber as the tires on Dunlap’s bike are similar to the popular Dugast Rhinos. The mystery-tires are wrapped around the Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheelset.
The cockpit on Dunlap’s bike is supplied by Easton. Dunlap forgoes the vibration damping benefit of carbon for the more ‘cross friendly aluminum EA-70 bars and an EA-90 stem. The headset is an integrated FSA Orbit CX with a built in cable hanger, topped by a stack of carbon spacers to give Dunlap a good fit. The saddle is a very well-worn model from Selle Italia that makes it obvious Dunlap has found a perch she is comfortable on.
Frame: Orbea Igorre
Fork: Easton EC90X
Headset: FSA Integrated
Stem: Easton EA90
Handlebars: Easton EA70
Front brake: Kore Cantilever
Rear brake: Kore Cantilever
Shift/Brake levers: Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 7800
Cassette: Shimano Dura Ace
Chain: Shimano Dura Ace
Crankset: Shimano Dura Ace
Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura Ace
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate
Front tire: Dugast Rhino
Rear tire: Dugast Rhino
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Gel
Seat post: Easton EC90 Carbon
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