Tom Bishop's Kuota Kougar Pro Bike And Kit

We're here with Tom Bishop's Kuota Kougar and his triathlon race gear ahead of the ITU grand final in Rotterdam. And it's a rather wet and windy Rotterdam as we've had to duck inside. But it will be really interesting to see if he's made any changes because of the conditions.

So the Kougar is an aero bike. So it's got a few aero touches. You've got the breaks hidden behind the forks and under the bottom bracket. And then we've got a hidden seat clamp bolt.

Looking at Tom's wheel set choice, he's using the Mavic Cosmic Pro SL Wheels, which have a 40 mm rim depth. And to go with those he is using the Continental GP Supersonic Tyres. And interestingly he is using just a 23 mm tyre width. And because of the conditions out here and the technical course, he is running just 70 psi on the front and 80 on the rear.

He's using the Shimano Dura Ace 9100 11 speed group set, which is mechanical. And talking to Tom he prefers his mechanical rather than electronic just because he doesn't always travel with a mechanic. So if he has any issues or he wants to make any changes, he can quite easily do that with the mechanical system.

He's running the rotor 3D crank sets, with a 165 crank clank. And on the end of those he has got the speed plate pedals. And on his Rotor crank set he has the NOQ Rotor chain rings with 53/38 on the front and on the back, he's using an Ultegra cassette 11-25. And connecting the two he's using the gold KMC chain.

So we've got the Kuota aero seat post. And on top of that we have the San Marco Concord Saddle, which he's actually got set quite far forward in a nice aggressive position. And interestingly, underneath he has a gel stored here. And talking to Tom he actually stores one under the saddle and then one at the front of the bike. But that's a really cool storage place. I like it.

On the front end of the bike we've got the Deda Zero 100 stand, which is 110 mil. And attached to that we have the Deda Zero 100 handlebars and on those we have the Shimano Dura Ace 9100 mechanical levers. And then we have his Garmin mount which is at quite a jaunty angle. I thought it was just to be cool, but chatting to Tom, he believes it's more aero-dynamic.

Watch more on GTN...

The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the best triathlon YouTube channel, with videos for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned Ironman racers to first timers – and everyone in between.

With the help of our pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:

How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
Beat your PB with record-breaking expertise
Get the best from your bike and gear with pro know-how
In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media every week

Join us on YouTube’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete.

Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.

Thanks to our sponsors:

[benwoodland]

That was a Zipp wheel, with breaks in front of the forks and 25 mm tires at 1:02

[andyheilmann]

Thank you! I love seeing their shoes and extra kit

[EternalChrisTo]

Kuota bikes are the best! They know how to design bikes! I have a Kuota Kharma full carbon and ultegra with DI2 and dammit I'm never gonna give it up.

[Ditypo]

is there a minimum bike weight for ITU like UCI 6.81kg limit or nah?

[KoenMiseur]

DI2 is alot easier to adjust not harder, I think Tom Bishop should think about his choice again!

[specialqix]

So the lower closing mechanism on the Bike shoe is a 'not-strap' or what? as you didn't include that in your counting of the number of straps this shoe has :D

[DJJPlus]

Shoe straps go from outside to inside so it doesn’t get caught in the chain....seems like it should be the opposite. Am I misunderstanding?

[U]

70psi front and 80psi rear for 23mm tyre?
maybe i can lower the tyre pressure of my 28mm tyre for more comfort
currently running 85 front and 90 rear, maybe i can try something like 70 in the front and 75 in the back? i weight 70kg

[TriDaddy]

Have Asics discontinued production of that shoe?

[theylivewesee]

I'm waiting for someone to invent triathlon running shoes with boa dials

[gclar]

If I lower my pressure to 70psi will my wheel turn into a Zipp 454 too?

[yogatriathlete]

Why are you showing us a Zipp 454 NSW with Continental Competition ProLtd 25mm tubulars?

[ozan]

What is the model of that red and grey bike?

[MattDion]

I’d like to volunteer my time and services to clean that drivetrain.

[panostziotakis]

The stem/bar combo is not aero at all.

[ilikelampshades]

This is the worst pro bike I’ve ever seen