Peter Stetina's White Rim Record-Setting Canyon Lux - Gallery

Last October, Peter Stetina pedaled his Canyon Lux mountain bike down a dusty dirt road in Southeast Utah. He was attempting to set a new fastest known time record on the White Rim, a 100-mile dirt road loop through rugged desert terrain. 

Fastest known times, or FKTs, have been popular among the ultra-endurance and bikepacking communities, but have risen in prominence recently, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has discouraged mass start events. 

Stetina, who left WorldTour team Trek-Segafredo in 2019 to focus on an American gravel race calendar, was aiming to beat the record of current US cross-country national champion Keegan Swenson, who finished the route in 5:30:21 almost a year prior. But when Stetina finished his effort, he came up short of Swensons FKT by 16 seconds. 

Days later, Stetina found his legs, setting a new White Rim FKT with a time of 5:28:23. 

Stetina's bike of choice for the White Rim FKT effort was a Canyon Lux CF SLX, a 29er equipped with Fox suspension and a full Shimano build. The bike is a fairly standard build, aside from clip-on aero bars and a water bottle cage mounted to the top tube. 

While the White Rim is a dirt road loop, a full-suspension bike is warranted because of how rough and rocky the road surface is. A Fox 32SC fork and Float DPS Factory shock absorbed vibrations and provided traction on Stetina's rig. 

The top of the line suspension was paired with a full Shimano XTR build kit, including a 38T chainring and a 12-speed, 10-51T cassette. IRC prototype tires (29x2.25in) were mounted on Stan's Crest rims. 

Cockpit components were all provided by PRO, including the 720mm Tharsis handlebars with aero clip-ons, 90mm Koryak stem, Volture saddle and carbon bottle cages

Since the course is so remote, and FKTs need to be self-supported, Stetina also strapped on a saddle bag to carry along a tube and tools. 

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Peter Stetina's Canyon Lux CF - Specifications
FrameCanyon Lux CF SLX
ForkFox 32 StepCast fork
Rear ShockFloat DPS Factory shock
StemPro Koryak stem 90mm
HandlebarPro Tharsis 720mm with clip-on aero bars
SeatpostPro
SaddlePro Volture
GripPro Lock-on Sport
Rear DerailleurShimano XTR
ShifterShimano XTR
ChainsetShimano XTR, 38t chainring
ChainShimano XTR
CassetteShimano XTR 11-52t
BrakesShimano XTR
WheelsStans Crest
TiresIRC prototype tires (29x2.25")
PedalsShimano XTR
AccessoriesWahoo Bolt
Ryan Simonovich

Ryan Simonovich has been riding and racing for nearly a decade. He got his start as a cross-country mountain bike racer in California, where he cultivated his love for riding all types of bikes. Ryan eventually gravitated toward enduro and downhill racing but has also been found in the occasional road and cyclo-cross events. Today, he regularly rides the trails of Durango, Colorado, and is aiming to make a career out of chronicling the sport of cycling. 

Rides: Santa Cruz Hightower, Specialized Tarmac SL4