Max’s Hellenic Mountain Race Dropbar Hardtail Setup

A Cervélo ZHT-5 Hardtail built for rough terrain and endless climbs

Max Riese

21 05 2026

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Max Riese

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Product Sponsorships included

Some (most) of the parts for this setup were provided within product or other sponsorships.

The Hellenic Mountain Race is a climber’s dream: around 29,000 m of elevation gain over just 920 km. There are no flat sections on this course.

And if you’re thinking, “Oh, Greece! Beaches, nice weather,” you might be mistaken. It can rain a lot, it can be cold, and it can be brutal all the way through.

The trails and roads are rough. Super rocky, with some technical sections thrown in. It’s definitely a course that calls for a mountain bike.

Hellenic Mountainrace 2023 - Max Riese recap

I was here for the inaugural edition in 2023. It was a crazy race — endless rain and mud. Not even half the riders finished. I came in third, which should have felt like a win, but it didn’t. I knew I had more in me.

So here I am again, and my Cervélo ZHT-5 hardtail is coming back with me. Except it’s not really the same bike anymore.

Cervélo HB16 cockpit and ZHT-5 MTB are actually a good combination.

My 2026 Setup

The lightweight hardtail frame remains, and the Posedla saddle has been updated to the latest Joyseat in a gravel configuration with extreme position optimization. I like this more than the MTB version.

Probably because my MTB didn’t really stay a full mountain bike. I fitted Cervélo’s HB16 gravel cockpit from the Áspero-5 to convert it to drop bars. Completely slammed, of course, with an 80 mm -8° stem. I still wish I could get the cockpit even lower.

To counter the long reach and slack seat tube angle, I used a Drop UC Best seatpost clamp from Fair Bicycle to move my saddle 3 cm further forward.

No saddle rails were hurt here: Fair Bicycle UC Best solves my position.

I also fitted a 170 mm crankset to match my fit on the R5 — of course with a Quarq power meter.

The drivetrain is a full SRAM Eagle AXS Transmission setup with a 34T chainring and a 10–52 cassette, paired with SRAM Force levers for the braking performance and fit that I love.

SRAM Transmission is a great choice for hard off-road bikepacking races.

For pedals, I’m trying the LOOK carbon Ti XC pedals this time. Let’s see how I get on with them.

The wheels? There’s nothing better than the Reserve 28 XC. I’ve been riding them for quite some time, and I would have loved to give the 30 XC a go — but maybe for Silk Road.

Tires are 2.25" MAXXIS Aspen up front and Aspen ST in the rear. Fast, with just enough control.

MAXXIS ASPEN ST tires are on the limit but sooo fast. BBB SignalPro light for safety.

SILCA Ultimate Sealant will deal with my mistakes, and their tubeless valves get the nod over my beloved Fillmore valves this time. Oh, and my chain is of course treated with Super Secret hot wax.

This time I’m going without a dynamo and instead using battery-powered BBB Cycling lights. The Strike lights are light, cheap, and work great. One on my helmet and one mounted to the GoPro mount on my HB16 cockpit will light up the nights. A Signal Pro in the back will have my back.

The custom Tailfin R&D full frame bag dominates the setup.

And yes, your eyes will probably go straight to that huge white Tailfin R&D full-frame bag. This one is custom and so, so good. Nearly all the important stuff is in there: spares, rain gear, the SILCA Elettrico pump, food, and more. The long top tube bag carries electronics, hygiene products, and even more food.

The SpeedPack will hold my sleep setup, plus more food in the mesh pockets. This time I’m bringing a SOL Emergency Bivvy, a Sea to Summit Spark I sleeping bag, and an ultralight mat.

I’ll also carry an Ultimate Direction hydration vest for 2 L of water and, of course, more food.

Posedla Joyseat v2 in gravel setup is my choice for bikepacking races.