Chris Hall’s 2025 Badlands Setup (Video)

Words by Chris Hall, photos by Jack Hague

I’ve been lucky enough to start five Badlands now and have managed to finish every time, apart from last year, when I unfortunately got taken out by heatstroke. My setup has changed a lot over the years, from riding a super aggressive gravel bike to a drop-bar hardtail the year I had a bad crash and broke both my wrists. But every year, I feel like I have made changes and positive steps to help conquer what I believe is one of the best gravel ultras in the world.

This year, I’m riding Argon 18’s new Dark Matter, which was released in May. I’m fortunate to be sponsored by the brand, and quite early on in our discussions, they asked me what I believed would be the perfect bike to use for Badlands, and I had a very specific hit list of things I wanted to see. In short, that list included mountain bike tire clearance, UDH, T47 BB, suspension-correct geometry, a standard 27.2mm seatpost, compatibility with normal bars and stems, dynamo routing, dropper post routing, and frame storage. I wanted it to be slacker, longer, and therefore calmer when it’s technical. I’m biased, but I think they nailed it. My bike has big tires on it and a Fox 32TC gravel fork. I’ve tried several suspension ideas for gravel bikes, including all the other stems out there and a couple of forks, but the Fox one for me currently seems to be one of the best options. Its 50mm of travel is plenty for Badlands, and it helps to absorb the worst of the vibrations. It just helps to keep your body a bit fresher for longer, combined with the big tires.

For Badlands this year, a few things are new for me. It’s the first time I have used SRAM since the first-generation eTap, whenever that came out. I really like the simplicity of the shifting and the ergonomics of the red levers. The braking is not as good as Shimano or Campag, but using Trick Stuff pads and rotors has improved it a surprisingly large amount. I opted for SRAM when I built the bike because I like the simplicity of the direct-mount rear mechs; it just always shifts, especially under load.

The next new thing for me is the wheel and tire combo. I’ve thrown out the “aero is everything” mentality I may have had when I started in my first edition, with comfort being the key. The wheels are a set of ENVE M5 Pro rims (their lightweight XC rim) with an ENVE rear hub and SON’s new dynamo hub on the front. The wheels are surprisingly light, even with a dynamo, but the biggest thing for me was that they are remarkably comfortable too. They are paired with a set of Schwalbe G-One RX Pro tires in a new size they are testing. I’m a big fan of big tires. I don’t think they are slower on a race like this, and the RX seems incredibly grippy but also fast. Every year, I have used tires from Schwalbe, but this will be my first on the RX.

I always debate whether to use dynamo lights or not, and the last few editions, I have opted not to. Ironic, considering the new wheels have a dynamo hub, but I wanted to future-proof them. I’ve found that the Exposure lights are bombproof, bright, and simply work. I have one that is 10 years old now, and it just keeps going. On the front, I’m using a Six-Pack, but also a head torch, as I really like how they (obviously) move when your head moves.

I’ve been fortunate to be part of Tailfin’s R&D team since its launch. There’s a joke with Tailfin that I was technically their fourth employee, as I used to help them out with some graphic design work years ago. For the past seven years, I have been using, racing, and testing their range of products. Last year, I used a new prototype Aeropack, and this year, I’m using something very similar, but a much more refined design, I think. It’s smaller but significant for an event like this. I’ve been using the prototype for over a year now, and I’m a fan. The top tube and frame bags from Tailfin just work. I used both of these on my recent bikepacking trip, cycling the perimeter of Britain. When I got home, I took them off the bike and put them straight onto the Dark Matter. They don’t move, they don’t rub the frame, thanks to the rubber mounting system, and most importantly for me, they don’t rub on my thighs.

Inside the bags will basically be a sleep system in the back. I’ll take a down jacket and down pants, as it can still get cold at night in the desert. Two pairs of bibs, a few layers, an air mat, and I’ve been using the Outdoor Research bivvy for maybe four years now, and it just works great The frame and top tube bags will mainly have snacks, salt tabs (you need tonnes for this one), toiletries, sun screen (also need tonnes for this!), and charging stuff. Tools are in the frame storage, as well as a few spare inner tubes. I also always buy a Kinder Egg when I start these kinds of events, and whatever is inside becomes my mascot and joins me on the route.

The finishing kit is also all from ENVE. I’m running an in-line seatpost (as it works best for my fit), an internally routed stem, and the AR bars. I have also glued some blips on the underside of the bars, as I ride on the tops a lot and like to be able to shift there. I’m not running clip-on aero bars this year as, to be frank, they often end up annoying me, and with all the climbing on the route, I don’t think I have used them much in previous editions. Lastly, every bike needs a bit of bling on it, doesn’t it? I have some lovely titanium bottle cages and bits of bling from Wolf Tooth, plus the titanium brake levers and cranks from my mate Tom, who set up Sturdy Cycles. The levers especially are a nice upgrade as they don’t scuff up, and they have some extra grip on them, too.

I’m incredibly excited to be here for a fifth time. I truly believe that Badlands and what the team behind the race have done is create something very special. It’s so much more than the race now. It’s a real community. Not just between people taking part but with the locals in the towns and villages you ride through. That’s a big reason why it’s on my list every single year. My preparation has been, let’s just say, a bit weird. In July, I left London to bikepack the perimeter of Britain, fundraising for Movember, cycling the 6,500 kilometres in 30 days (with 21 days of rain!). I finished less than two weeks before flying out here, and I have done my first rides back since that challenge here in Granada, and I’m definitely still quite tired. Still, it’s incredibly refreshing to go into it with no pressure, no expectations, and absolutely nothing to prove apart from to myself. I’m looking forward to having a fun time riding around some of the best gravel Europe has to offer.

Check out the Badlands 2025 Tracker page for updates, where you can follow along on the live tracking map and stay tuned in for more event coverage. Find it here.

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