Podcast: Donkeys on the Divide

We are back with another round table conversation, this time focusing on the 2024 Tour Divide and, in particular, the two Rodeo Lab-affiliated riders who took on the challenge this June. Both Cade and Edyn had a massively successful outing with Cade arriving in Antelope Wells as the fourth finisher and Edyn finishing a few days later as the youngest-ever finisher of the Tour at just 15 years old.

Nevertheless, on the Continental Divide success is still filled with many ups and downs that come with some of the highest, wildest terrain in the United States. Stephen and Logan dug into it all with the pair of intrepid athletes, recounting the run-ins with lightning, mud, wind, and technical choices that went into the effort.

A build fit for the Tour Divide

While both of the bikes were dialed for each of the riders wants and desire, Cade’s Trail Donkey 4.0 is truly unlike any other bike to leave the Lab. From the hand placed geometric vinyl finish, to the flat/tri bar combo, the build is one that is emblematic of the tinkering that comes as part of the job for Rodeo’s in-house engineer. Here are some of the details:

Suspension is taking over Divide discourse in 2024 as the first finisher put a ton of emphasis on running a full-suspension mountain bike frame. Yet, Cade proved there are many ways to tackle the challenge of the Divide with his Donkey and a Fox 32 TC shock that offered 40-50mm of travel. That system was paired with a couple Schwalbe Thunder Burts to balance the needs of suspension and speed.

Cade rides without power and thus keeps things simple with the crankset. First and foremost, he is riding a SRAM 1x system without any SRAM aspects to the crankset. The crankset catches the eye in particular for its is the gold 34t chain ring from AbsoluteBlack bolted on to a Raceface Era crank. Light, simple, effective – three words that make for a strong Tour Divide build.

Cade love suspension. In his forks, in his big tires, and in his seatpost. His Divide bike was equipped with a Cane Creek Silk suspension post to add just a touch of comfort for a very uncomfortable journey.

The clip on tri-bars are always a topic for discussion, but on the Divide it has become almost required kit. With SRAM AXS, their usefulness is amplified as shifting blips can be added to make the position as comfortable as possible. Cade, for one, is a full convert to the tri-bar life.