LeBron James is going through multiple new beginnings this offseason. Even as an established legend, the 41-year-old continues to add new experiences to his list while growing his image as an iconic sports figure, and he clearly has no plans to stop.
LeBron James rides one of a kind bike made just for him
When retirement eventually arrives, there will be plenty to keep James busy. Now, he is adding another sport to his roster. It is no longer just about basketball or golf, as cycling is also becoming part of his world.
Built around LeBron
James is now collaborating with Canyon, and the brand revealed a one-of-a-kind gravel bike built specifically for him, as he is also one of the company’s shareholders. The custom 32-inch-wheeled Grizl CF was engineered from the ground up for the 6-foot-9 NBA superstar, whose size falls outside the dimensions most production bike frames are designed to accommodate.
LeBron James is adding another sport to his offseason routine
The larger 32-inch wheels are designed to roll over rocks, ruts and rough terrain with less rolling resistance while reducing the impact on the rider. Canyon also added extra support to handle James’ size and the demands he would put on the bike. It also features custom-made thru-axles and a custom seat clamp.
Every detail was designed for him
Everything Canyon did was specifically tailored to James, as explained by Wolfgang Kohl, the company’s lead engineer. The bike was not simply made by enlarging an existing frame. Its geometry, structure and load requirements had to be re-engineered because the forces placed on the bike do not scale in the same way as its dimensions.
Everything Canyon did was specifically tailored to James
That meant the entire system had to be redesigned to make sure the bike could properly respond to its rider and function as intended.
Cycling is not new to LeBron
Some may think cycling has only now entered LeBron’s life through this new collaboration, but the sport has been part of his life since he was young. James has a long history with cycling dating back to his childhood in Akron, Ohio.
He used to ride his bike to basketball practice, visit friends and travel around his hometown. His connection to the sport has also continued into his business ventures, with his LRMR Ventures group taking an equity stake in Canyon in 2022.