With four World Championship podiums to his name, Keirin pocket rocket Azizul Awang is Malaysia’s track cycling medal contender for the Rio Olympics. Earlier this year Awang claimed Bronze at the 2016 Track Cycling World Championships in March despite missing five weeks of training in the lead up due to flu and a muscle tear. Needless to say after several months of solid training Awang is now looking forward to the Keirin final in Rio.
This article looks at Awang’s Look L96. This is the same bike he rode to the Keirin bronze in London.
The L96 uses an integrated stem setup. It’s ultra stiff and when grabbing the bars and twisting there is no noticeable movement. The bars are Look’s aerodynamic track bars.
The downside of this design is that the fork can only turn through a limited range. Although not a problem under normal circumstances, this could be a problem in the case of a crash.
Although the L96 comes with its own crankset, Awang has swapped it out for a pair of SRM cranks. The chainring is a 52T Vuelta and the chain is an Izumi Super Tough with the stock standard connector link.
The steel rear dropouts should last a long time. Awang uses the built in chain tensioners to ensure that the wheel won’t pull at the critical moments in training and racing. With the power he is pumping out this seems like a good idea.
The rear cog is a EuroAsia Gold cog. Any guess to what size he’s running? (hint: it’s not a 14).
This is an off the shelf frame and “Yes!”, you can buy one now. I like the fact that anyone can readily buy many of the track frames used by the world’s best. The equipment is expensive but it is available.
Mavic IO up front. The fork tips are aluminium to ensure the durability of the tips. The Chronolec transponder is for recording laps times.
Awang uses Dura-Ace pedals together with toe straps secured down with cable ties. Although the pedals are set to their tightest setting the straps provide an extra level of insurance against pulling a foot at a critical moment. A common setup amongst the sprinters.
Even with the Mavic Comete installed, there is ample clearance to move the wheel as far forward as possible. The bottom bracket area is huge and Awang reports that the frame is very, very stiff.
Each rider on the Malaysian National Team has their own personalised SRM computer mounted behind their respective saddles. Although computers can be mounted on track bikes in competition but the readouts must not be visible to the rider.
The Vittoria Pista CL tyres are glued to Mavic wheels. These tyres are supple and lightweight. Normally Awang runs spoked wheels for training however on this occasion he had his bike set up with his race setup.
This is the video from the start of this year’s Keirin World Championships final in London. Awang is the fourth rider from the top. Can you imagine how it must have been for the riders down on the start line?