Scribbles

Lee Redfern’s Hill Climb Bike: Built for the Ascent

A middle finger to gravity — and the UCI.

Lee Redfern didn’t just assemble a bike — he pursued a vision. His goal was clear: build the lightest possible machine for hill climb challenges. The result is a meticulously crafted 2004 Giant TCR SL Aluxx that weighs in at just 5.625kg (12.4 lbs).

This build reflects a deep obsession with weight savings and performance. Every component was selected, modified, or replaced with one goal in mind: climbing efficiency. The aluminum frame itself is impressively light at 1191g, and paired with an Easton EC90 SLX carbon fork weighing just 285g, it forms a responsive and featherweight chassis.

The cockpit is stripped to essentials. A random carbon handlebar measuring just 35cm across keeps frontal area low and weight at 201g, while a Syntace Force stem with titanium hardware adds stiffness at only 105g. The internal plug and top cap are Cannondale SI — a minimalist setup weighing just 13g. Handlebar tape? Just 15g. Even the cables and housing were carefully weighed: 198g total.

The drivetrain is a hybrid of SRAM and Shimano components, chosen for weight and reliability. The SRAM Red Dub crankset runs a single 38t chainring, eliminating the need for a front derailleur and saving weight. The bottom bracket is a threaded external SRAM Dub unit at 73g, and the chain is a Red 22 model weighing 225g. The rear derailleur is a SRAM Red WiFLi 11-speed, coming in at 152g, and the cassette is a modified Dura-Ace 11-speed with only 10 cogs installed — a deliberate choice to reduce mass, bringing it down to 100g.

Braking is handled by Cane Creek BRS 200 SL calipers, which Lee further modified by slotting and drilling the pad holders — a weight-saving technique that brings the setup to 160g. The levers are SRAM Force 22, with the left lever completely gutted to remove shifting internals, functioning solely as a brake lever and contributing to a total lever weight of 320g.

The wheelset is a standout: Shimano Dura-Ace 7850 C-24 tubulars, weighing 1192g for the pair, wrapped in Tufo tires at 225g each. These wheels offer a balance of low rotational weight and stiffness, ideal for climbing. Quick releases are ultralight at 51g total.

The finishing kit continues the theme. The seatpost is a Thomson Masterpiece, cut down and drilled to reach 141g, and the saddle is a heavily modified Temu special, trimmed to just 127g. Even the bottle cage bolts were swapped for S-Works titanium, totaling just 4g, and the bottle cage itself weighs only 13g.

Lee’s approach was methodical, driven by a clear understanding of what hill climb racing demands: minimal weight, maximum efficiency, and no unnecessary extras. The result is a bike that feels almost weightless underfoot, responding instantly to every pedal stroke. It’s designed to perform when the road tilts upward — to make the most of every watt and every ounce of effort.

What makes this bike especially compelling is the balance between aggressive weight reduction and functional integrity. Despite the extensive modifications, the bike remains rideable, race-ready, and reliable. It’s not a showpiece — it’s a working machine, built to perform under pressure and over elevation.

Whether on a short punchy ascent or a long sustained climb, this bike is engineered to deliver. It’s a tool for a specific job — and it does that job exceptionally well.

For those interested in the full component list and weight breakdown, the complete build sheet is available here. You’ll find every detail, from the frame to the pedals, documented with precision.

Drivetrain:
• SRAM Red Dub crankset with single 38t chainring (392g)
• SRAM Dub threaded external bottom bracket (73g)
• Dura-Ace 11-speed cassette with only 10 cogs installed (100g)
• SRAM Red 22 chain (225g)

Brakes:
• Cane Creek BRS 200 SL calipers with slotted and drilled pad holders (160g)
• Cables and housing (198g)

Saddle & Seatpost:
• Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, cut down and drilled (141g)
• Temu Special saddle, cut down (127g)

Pedals & Accessories:
• Wahoo Speedplay Nano pedals (168g)
• Bottle cage (13g)
• S-Works titanium bottle cage bolts (4g)

Total Weight:
• 5.625kg / 12.401 lbs