Jean-Philippe and his Cannondale Slice

Man and machine often become one. Whether it’s a crush or a financial constraint, a production bike or a custom build, every rider, every triathlete has very personal reasons for choosing one bike over another. In this section, we give you the opportunity to explain the reasons for your choice and what you appreciate once you’re on your steed. Today, we meet Jean-Philippe Pressouyre, 35, owner of a Cannondale Slice that helped him achieve his Ironman 70.3 distance goals.

Basketball, handball, volleyball… In his youth, Jean-Philippe tried many disciplines, with a stronger attraction for ball sports. However, his bike was never far away, as a means of transport or for sharing some more or less sporty rides with friends, like the day he set off, at 16, to conquer the Puy-Mary (Cantal, 1,783 m) on his mountain bike. Finally, the cycling bug bit him a few years later, as did the triathlon bug.

«In 2013, I participated in my first Ironman 70.3 in Vichy (03) with my first road bike: a Specialized Allez Comp Triple, on which I had added extensions and Reynolds Solitude 35 mm wheels. The very next day, I knew I would line up again, with the goal of doing better, having very modestly completed the 93 km in 3h09, an average of 29.5 km/h. So I looked for an affordable and efficient time trial bike.

A small chainring and Mavic wheels

After several comparative studies and expert opinions, I opted for the 2014 Cannondale Slice Ultegra. Understated in black and white, well-equipped with Shimano Ultegra, stiff without being a plank, I had found my new road companion! First modification upon purchase: change the small chainring from 38 to 36 teeth. With an 11-28 cassette, this drivetrain allowed me to go anywhere. For the wheels, I seized a great opportunity for Mavic Cosmic Exalith SLR. Result: my Slice became even more beautiful than it was, but above all more performant.

New sensations

Comfortable for a time trial, it remains stiff when you want to push it a bit. It allowed me to discover new sensations: maintaining a speed above 35 km/h for several kilometers on the flat without too much effort, well-positioned on the extensions. Impressive and very pleasant! On the other hand, I struggled during long climbs. But I think that’s more related to the fact that I’m not a born climber. Because although stiff, this Slice is rather forgiving and far from being a big plank that forgives nothing. On descents, the handling is perfect, like on rails, whether on the extensions, when possible, or on the handlebars. The braking is effective, nothing to complain about.

A hell of a ride

For more comfort, I installed the ISM Adamo Prologue saddle, as the Fizik Arione Tri2 put too much pressure on me during multi-hour rides. What surprised me is that it’s not possible to mount a 25 mm tire on the rear: it rubs against the front derailleur cable that runs up under the bottom bracket shell to the derailleur. That said, it’s not overly penalizing, and undoubtedly linked to its vintage: in 2014, we weren’t yet talking about widening tire width.

I’m really very happy to have invested in my “Cannon”. I take a lot of pleasure in riding it. And to tell you the truth, my initial goal was met: I started the Ironman 70.3 Vichy again in 2014 with a bike time improved by fifteen minutes (93 km in 2h53’30 for an average of 32.1 km/h). Then the holy grail with a truly fantastic time (for me) in 2017, again in Vichy but on a reversed course: 90.5 km in 2h42’30, an average of 33.5 km/h. That day, I had a hell of a ride! »