Andy Turner’s Swift Carbon Ultravox SSL

The Swift Carbon Pro Cycling rider gives us the skinny on his svelte climbing machine

With his stomping ground nestled between the Brecon Beacons, Forest of Dean, and the Malvern and Shropshire Hills, it’s easy for Swift Carbon Pro Cycling’s Andy Turner to notch up the elevation, and that’s what his Ultravox SSL bike is built for.

Turner’s team bike is the rim-brake model, though he says he liked the bike so much he “put his money where his mouth is” and reached into his own pocket to buy a disc-brake model, too.

This bike isn’t the most aero within Turner’s stable. He said: “Aero has been compromised a little for the sake of comfort, lightweight and responsiveness. An aero bike will be quicker for a 100km loop but this bike is a lot more fun!”

The size 58cm frame wears a 150mm 3T ARX stem – Turner chose this set-up over a 61cm to get a lower front end and to avoid an even slacker seat angle. A common issue for taller riders, he uses a reverse setback seatpost to get enough ‘fore’ in the fore and aft of his set-up.

The groupset is Shimano Dura-ace mechanical, a preference over Di2 on the road, with Jagwire cables and a 4iii Precision power meter aboard 170mm cranks. Turner opts for Absolute Black 53/39 chainrings, with Ceramic Speed bottom bracket and oversized pulley wheel system, noting “everything spins very nicely plus it saves a handful of watts and it looks mega-bling!”

Bars are 40cm Specialized Aerofly with 25mm rise while the saddle is a Specialized Romin Evo in 143mm. Turner uses Speedplay pedals, the adjustable float being a “lifesaver” for his knees.

WHEELS/TYRES Turner runs Scope R3 tubeless wheels with the popular Continental GP5000 tyres which he says offer “great grip and puncture protection,” as well as rolling fast on the varied terrain of his training ground

CUSTOMISED HEADSET In the line of sight is a boltless Kapz headset, carrying the Scottish flag of the nation Turner represents. There’s a Welsh dragon incorporated in homage to his grandmother, who instigated his interest in bike racing

TAPED BAR TOPS Turner tapes the bar tops to prevent his hands from slipping when climbing on hot days. “I once nearly crashed on a humid Romanian summit finish from slipping hands,” he recalls

WAHOO ELEMNT BOLT COMPUTER The data comes through on a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt computer, which Turner pairs with a K-edge out-front mount for a slick overall effect