Magnus Backstedt's Felt

For 2008 the Slipstream/Chipotle professional squad raised their game by putting in place a roster of quality riders including; Dave Zabriskie (USA), David Millar (GBR), Magnus Backstedt (SWE) and Julian Dean (NZL).

More pictures of Magnus' bike and shoes

The team will ride Felt DA, F1, F1 Sprint and Z1 frames and forks from the USA. The bike we feature here is a Felt F1 Sprint clad in black, (The only one in the country) the race bikes are pale blue with Argyle detailing.

The bike shown is Magnus' training bike and the one he spends many hours on getting into shape for the coming season and which hopefully will bring him a second Paris Roubaix victory.

Magnus rates his Felt as the strongest and stiffest carbon bike he has ever ridden and in the past has steered away from racing on carbon frames. The big Swede requires the biggest frames and is fussy when it comes to what he rides. He is meticulous about his position and believes that not enough riders pay attention to this, he also makes sure that his mechanics know he holds them in high esteem and will spend time talking to them. Not just about bikes.

Soul Shoes
Magnus wears hand crafted shoes made by David Simmonds in the USA. The shoes are almost all carbon and wrap around his foot. To get the shape and fit they made a plaster cast of his feet.and they naturally fit like a glove, leaving just enough room for padding.

The company is well known in speed skating circles and this is their first foray into cycling. Magnus has helped design the straps and other details that can make or break a shoe. Magnus says that they are the stiffest shoes he has used and he can feel the added advantage in power transfer to the pedals.

Bike Spec