Wheels MFG Employee to tackle 4,200 mile Trans AM Bike Race
On June 6, 2021, Wheels Manufacturing employee Mateo Ramos took on the Trans Am Bike Race. In this post, we dig into what the Trans Am is, Mateo’s plan to complete the route, and the gear he brought along.
What is the Trans Am?
A 4,200-mile, self-supported bicycle race from Oregon to Virginia. Unlike RAAM, there’s no support vehicle—riders handle their own navigation, repairs, food, and logistics.
Race dates
Start: June 6 • Estimated finish: around June 23.
How long have you been training?
Four years.
What do you do at Wheels MFG?
I’m a CNC mill programmer working on overhauling our automation to enable 24/7 machining of rear derailleur hangers and tools.
Most challenging part of the course?
Wyoming and Kansas—because of high crosswinds. My rig is very aero for headwinds and descents, but it catches crosswinds heavily.
Hydration and food plan
Eat and drink as much as possible. Burning 10,000–12,000 calories per day, but I expect to absorb ~8,000–9,000, so I’ll start a couple pounds up to avoid dropping below ~5% body fat.
Favorite part of your kit?
The cockpit: computer, front light, bottle, and aero bars tucked together for clean airflow. Most people clamp items in a row; each one “punches” its own hole in the wind. Same idea with rear bottles and bag tucked right behind my pelvis.
2021 Trans Am Gear List
- Bike: Cervélo P3 (2014)
- Front wheel: Hope Pro 4 hub / Zipp 404 Firecrest rim
- Rear wheel: Hope Pro 4 hub / Zipp 808 Firecrest rim
- Skewers: TriRig Styx
- Crankset: Rotor 3D+ with 56/42T carbon chainrings
- Cassette: Shimano R8000/XTR mix, 11-speed 13–40T (custom shims for spacing)
- Chain: Connex 11sx
- Derailleurs: SRAM Red eTap, 11-speed
- Bottom bracket: Wheels MFG BBright30 w/ AC bearings
- Tires: René Herse Cayuse Pass 26 mm
- Brakes: TriRig Omega X w/ Delta aero front fairing
- Headset: FSA
- Saddle: Specialized Power w/ Mirror
- Seatpost: Cervélo
- Aerobar: TriRig Alpha One
- Pedals: Speedplay Zero Ti
- Saddle bag: Apidura Expedition 17 L
- Bottle cages: XLAB Gorilla
- Top tube bag: JPaks FarvaPak
- GPS: Lezyne Mega XL
- Tracker: SPOT Gen3
- Headlight: Exposure Six-Pack
- Rear light: Planet Bike Superflash 65
- Other: Custom-machined front/rear bottle holders, rear bag mount, computer and light mounts; 3D-printed toolbox nested in the frame
Clothing
- Rain jacket and pants
- Wool and summer-weight socks
- Waterproof gloves and liners
- Shoe covers
- Reflective vest
- Three skinsuits (two summer, one cold-weather)
- Arm and leg warmers
- Thermal headband
- Merino wool top
- Arm and leg coolers
Tools / Repair
- Hand pump and CO₂
- Multi-tool
- Master links
- Tire lever
- Patch kit
- Valve extenders
- Spare tires and tubes
Personal
- Wallet
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- First-aid kit
- Food
- Electrolyte mix
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Bivy
Electronics
- Phone
- 20 Ah power bank
- eTap battery charger
- Wall outlet adapter
Where can we track progress?
Live updates during the 2021 race were available via Trackleaders: trackleaders.com/transam21
Mateo, thanks for sharing your Trans Am planning and setup. Stay safe out there—your Wheels MFG crew is cheering you on.
Learn more about the Trans Am Bike Race: transambikerace.com
Photos courtesy Wheels Manufacturing and Mateo Ramos.
