Pro Bike Check: Wyn Masters’ GT Force Carbon Pro Pro “mullet” enduro race bike

Wondering what kind of mountain bike it takes to carry someone to a top 10 finish in the EWS World Series? Wyn Masters’ top spot was 7th at the opening race, ending up 22nd overall for 2019 pro men. His bike for the year? The GT Force Pro, a 150mm travel, 27.5″-wheeled all-mountain bike that he modded for enduro racing by putting a larger 29er wheel and fork up front…Advertisements

[embedded content]

Wyn Masters’ GT Force Pro bike spec

$\"what$

Wyn’s frame is the top level GT Force Carbon Pro, which is built around 150mm of rear wheel travel and 27.5″ wheels in stock form. The fork you and I would get on it is a 160mm Fox 36. Wyn swapped that out for a 29er Fox 36 Factory fork with 150mm of travel. So, larger wheel, slightly less travel, but still faster and with better roll over. This likely makes the head angle just a big slacker, too, which is better for high speed stability and control on the timed descents.

$\"\"$

Stan’s Flow wheels front and rear, with Schwalbe tires. Complete spec list for all the parts at bottom of this post.

$\"wyn$

$\"\"$

We caught up with Wyn at the International Chiang Mai Enduro mountain bike race (he finished 2nd overall). The sticker on his head tube and fork are from a different event earlier in the year. Most enduro races require you to put a decal on the frame, fork and wheels to identify which equipment you start the race with.

Why? Because you’ve got to finish with the same gear you start with…no swapping stuff out if it breaks mid race. That encourages everyone to use durable, safe parts, and prevents the pros from using risky prototypes. It’s also just in the spirit of mountain biking, where if you’re going to race your friends, your bike needs to be up to the task.

$\"\"$

$\"wyn$

Wyn’s running full XTR, but with the pre-availability alloy crankset that eventually became the current XT cranks. Saint pedals keep his feet in place.

$\"200mm$

If you’re going crazy fast, these 200mm brake rotors front and rear will bring that speed down more quickly.

$\"\"$

Brakes are XTR…

$\"\"$

…and the cockpit is Race Face Atlas with a OneUp EDC mini tool and tire plug system hidden in the steerer tube.

$\"\"$

He’s also got the OneUp strap holding a spare tube inside the trademark GT triple triangle gap. The real question is, which size tube does he pack?

$\"does$

Finishing the build is an e*Thirteen chain guide and the Fox Float X2 Factory rear shock. The adjustable mounting point is set in the Low position.

Parts List

Here’s the complete component spec list for Wyn Masters’ race bike:

FRAME: GT Force Carbon Pro
FORK: Fox 36 Factory 29er 150mm travel
SHOCK: Fox Float X2 Factory
WHEELS: Stan’s NoTube Flow
FRONT TIRE: Schwalbe Magic Mary (Purple compound)
REAR TIRE: Schwalbe Nobby Nic (Orange compound)
DRIVETRAIN: Shimano XTR (34t x 10-45 cassette)
BRAKES: Shimano XTR w/ 200mm rotors front/rear
SEATPOST: Fox Transfer Factory dropper seatpost
SADDLE: Fabric carbon
HANDLEBAR: Race Face Atlas 35mm rise
STEM: Race Face Atlas
GRIPS: ODI Elite Pro Lock-on Grips
OTHER: OneUp EDC steerer tube tool w/ tire plug, OneUp strap, e*Thirteen LG1 Plus Chainguide/Bashguard w/ lower guide removed