TD4.2
Relentless function
Now with UDH
With over ten years of constant innovation and improvement, the TD platform is a maximal expression of Rodeo Labs ideals woven into a frameset. How good, how versatile, how capable can a single platform be? TD4 is our attempt to answer that question, and for a decade we’ve done so across a staggering range of cycling disciplines and conditions.
With the advent of the SRAM Transmission derailleur standard in 2022, there remained one more obvious revision to make to the platform in order to keep it at the front of the pack, and with this newest 4.2 revision, we’ve added both UDH capability and our innovative new LockJaw 2 sliding dropout system to the Traildonkey lineup. Also updated is the Spork fork, which receives the newest 3.3 triple eyelet revision, giving riders more mounting options and flexibility as they personalize their ride.
The Traildonkey heritage includes victories and podiums across the largest and most respected gravel races in the world. It has also left its mark on ultra cycling with a podium at Silk Road Mountain Race, and great rides including North Cape 4000, Atlas Mountain Race, Traka 550, Gravel Worlds, Transcontinental, Ride Across America, and perhaps most impressively, a 4th place overall at the 2024 Tour Divide, during which it notched the fastest moving time across all bikes that completed the route – piloted by our lead engineer Cade Reichenberger.
A true multi-genre frameset, the TD platform seeks to feel at home on fast road group rides, gravel rides, gravel racing, bikepacking, and has even been successfully raced by the most spirited riders in races such as Leadville 100 or Iceman. Where other adventure platforms make big claims, TD4 has proven itself in the real world, time and time again.
Next, it’s your turn to add to the TD story. Where will it take you, and where will you take it?
Feature Set
Routing choice
There is no doubt that fully integrated, hidden routing is the most elegant way to build a bike, and TD4 supports full integration from the go. Simply match the headset to the brand / spec of your integrated bar / stem and the frame has been designed for maximum compatibility.
Alternatively, our supplied headseat supports semi-integrated routing that does not run through the stem, but does route through the steer tube.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you can route TD4 traditionally, avoiding headset routing all together for a bike that will be easier to service or travel with.
TD4 leaves the important spec decisions up to you.
- Fully integrated routing
- Semi integrated routing
- Traditional routing
UDH Compatibility
With TD4.0 we featured an elegant sliding dropout system that we named LockJaw. LockJaw allows for the wheelbase of TD4 to be adjusted providing three functional benefits:
- Increased tire clearance, up to 700×2.25 or 650bx2.4 with the sliders all the way back.
- Native singlespeed builds with no chain tensioner needed, using the slider’s adjustable range to set correct singlespeed chain tension.
- Geometry and handling adjustments. The further forward the sliders are, the quicker the bike handles, the further back the sliders are, the more stable and predictable the bike feels.
Now with TD4.2, Lockjaw 2 is updated to allow for Transmission derailleur support, and moves from a single to a dual locking interface, creating a stronger and even more secure system. Don’t plan on using a Transmission drivetrain? Don’t worry, the system is backwards compatible with UDH derailleur hangers to support traditional style rear derailleurs.
If you aren’t a rider who will ever take advantage of LockJaw features, you can simply set it and forget it, and TD will perform as any other standard dropout gravel bike.
- Dual interlocking plate for security
- 30mm of slider travel
- UDH Support
Downtube Storage
The downtube of the TD4 features an internal storage system, allowing you to store tools, food, gear, or even emergency clothing. Our one-button release system ensures easy access to the storage space, and also allows access when internally routing shift and brake lines during the bike build. Inside the downtube there are also two cable and housing tie-downs in order to keep your internally routed components rattle-free.
The downtube storage is fully rebuildable, serviceable, and tuneable for a reliable, tight fit.
- One Button door release
- Full downtube access
- full length internal frame storage
- brake / shift routing tie-downs
T47 threaded bB
Every frame that Rodeo offers has featured a threaded bottom bracket since the inception of the T47 bottom bracket standard. T47 bottom brackets have the reliability and quiet operation provided by threaded bearing cups, and the large diameter bearing shell can accomodate any crankset and spindle standard that the industry dreams up.
- Threaded cups for quieter operation
- large shell area for max compatibility
- easier access to internal routing
Monocoque construction
Both the TD4 frameset and the Spork 3.3 that accompanies it feature true single piece carbon monocoque construction. Rare in the bike industry because of cost and complexity, monocoque avoids the less efficient and often weaker bonded construction methods that are most often used in carbon bicycle construction. By creating the entire frame (and separately, fork) with a single one piece tooling, we have the freedom to optimize the carbon layup across all contours and profiles.
The result is a frameset that has been flawlessly reliable in real world riding and racing situations, from road to gravel to MTB to loaded bikepacking – with not a single failure, ever.
TD4 is tested to ISO 4210 MTB racing standards, far beyond what is required for a typical single-genre gravel bike.
When it comes to reliability in a carbon frameset, TD4 is a cut above.
- Single piece monocoque construction
- stronger
- dependable
- proven
Direct mount bags
The TD4 frameset thrives in loaded riding situations thanks to its ample frame and fork mounting points. Notably, the main triangle of the frame features direct mount frame bag eyelets so that mounting straps can be ditched in favor of direct mounting bolts points. Not only is the net effect more elegant, it’s also less likely to be harmed by the chafing of velcro bag straps or bungee chords.
The updated Spork 3.3 now has three mid leg eyelets for more bag or cage mounting options.
- Rack and fender support front and rear
- Triple water bottle mounts on the main frame
- direct main triangle frame bag mounts
-
top tube feed bag mounts.
Triple fork leg eyelet mounts
Tire Clearance
TD4 features phenomenal tire clearance for a gravel bike platform. In muddy conditions we recommend a largest tire with a true tire size of 700×2.1 (55mm), but in drier conditions many riders go larger. Unlike other brands, we are still passionate about large 650b tires for bikepacking and trail riding, and TD4 will easily accept a 650×2.35
Tire clearance is always determined by a combination of conditions, rim width, and actual tire casing size. Don’t trust the label. Verify for yourself before riding to keep your frame and fork safe from wear and tear.
- Confirmed tires on 25mm ID rim
- 700 x 2.1 Vittoria Mezcal
- 650 x 2.35 Vittoria Mezcal
- 700 x 2.25 Continental Race King
- 700 x 2.25 Schwalbe Thunder Burt
- 700 x 2.25 Schwalbe Rick
Dynamo ports
With a nod to ultra commuter and ultra riders alike, TD4 has the ability to internally route dynamo routing wires and bespoke lighting / charging systems throughout the frame and fork itself.
In the rear of the bike is a port for our factory Supernova taillight mount. At the front of the bike is the Spork 3.3 fork with internal dynamo wiring ports.
In the middle of the frameset, the downtube storage and downtube / top tube stealth ports have allowed us to create ultra customized lighting and charging interface points on the frameset. One thing is for sure, your wires can stay out of sight and harm’s way. Your imagination is the only limit.
- Upper Dynamo Taillight routing
- Lower Dynamo Taillight Routing
- Top tube port for bespoke power bank driven lighting systems.
Technical Information
geometry overview
TD4 geometry follows the functional input that we’ve gathered over the last ten years of relentless riding and testing.
TD4 is a bike that covers a very wide useful spectrum, from road riding on 32mm slicks, to gravel riding on 45mm knobbies, to bikepacking and ultra racing on true mountain bike tires.
Our geometry is most specifically adapted to the middle of the use spectrum, where the largest percentage of riders of the bike also reside. That said, even on the outermost margins, we test and retest extensively in order to eek out every bit of real-world function and useability from the frameset.
Our geometry does not always follow mainstream industry norms. For instance, our bottom bracket is about 1 cm higher than many other brands, which is scandalous to some trend followers and geometry nerds. We intentionally have this slightly taller BB for better off-road clearance in highly technical or rocky conditions. Our BB height also gives the bike its ability to be built up with both 700c and 650b wheel / tire options which we think is critical to a wide-spectrum bike platform. Not found on most other bikes, our sliding dropouts allow the wheelbase of the bike to be extended along the chainline, which offsets the higher bottom bracket and creates a more stable feeling bike.
As noted extensively on this page, our thinking on geometry and function is borne out in the real world successes that we and our riders have enjoyed on the Traildonkey platform. No single other frameset has notched a deeper or wider range of results and experiences across the cycling spectrum.
geometry
| Frame size | 52 cm | 54 cm | 56 cm | 58 cm | 61 cm | |
| Seat tube (C-T) | 450 | 470 | 490 | 520 | 540 | |
| Top tube length (effective) | 520 | 540 | 563 | 581 | 605 | |
| Chain stay length | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | 435 (variable) | |
| Seat tube angle | 74° | 74° | 73° | 73° | 73° | |
| Bottom bracket drop | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | |
| Head tube length | 125 | 145 | 160 | 175 | 207 | |
| Head tube angle | 70° | 71° | 72° | 72° | 72° | |
| Reach | 366 | 374 | 386 | 393 | 408 | |
| Stack | 538 | 559 | 578 | 595 | 625 | |
| Fork length | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | 395 | |
| Fork rake | 50 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45 | |
| Front center | 595 | 606 | 609 | 616 | 641 | |
| Wheelbase | 1022 (variable) | 1032 (variable) | 1036 (variable) | 1043 (variable) | 1067 (variable) | |
| Standover height at center of top tube, 700 x 40mm | 773 | 793 | 812 | 833 | 858 | |
| Dimensions listed in millimeters and degrees unless otherwise indicated. | ||||||
Fit Chart
| Frame size | Rider height |
| 52 cm | 5’4”-5’6” |
| 54 cm | 5’6”-5’9” |
| 56 cm | 5’9”-6’0” |
| 58 cm | 6’0”-6’2” |
| 61 cm | 6’1”-6’4” |
Photo: Edyn Teitge - Tour Divide 2024 - Youngest solo finisher ever. TD4. Photo by Eddie Clark Media.
Technical Specifications
| Frame Material | Toray T800 Carbon Fiber | |
| Country of manufacture | China | |
| Design / Tooling | 100% Designed and Engineered by Rodeo Labs | |
| Tire clearance 650b | Max width: 2.4″ | Min. recommended width: 40mm | Varies by tire / rim / conditions | |
| Tire clearance 700c | Max width: 55mm / 2.1″ | Min. recommended width: 28mm Varies by tire / rim / conditions. Don’t get greedy. | |
| Frame weight | 58cm 1190g raw. Other sizes approx. 50-100g lighter per size. Hardware – approx. 150g. Painted frames will be 100-250g heavier. | |
| Fork | Rodeo Spork 3.3 / Full carbon adventure fork | |
| Fork weight | Average 495g | |
| Cable routing | Mechanical, Di2, eTap. Convertible or cappable modular endcaps. Full internal housing runs through downtube / BB / Stays | |
| Dynamo routing | Internal fork. Front and rear light, USB stem cap, dynamo hub compatible. Top tube port. Seat stay ports. | |
| Brake Standard | Flat Mount, 140mm native front & rear. Max 160 with mounting plate. | |
| Bottom Bracket | T47 threaded for inboard bearing, 85.5 mm width. | |
| Seat Post | 31.6mm or 27.2mm. 27.2 shim supplied with each frame. | |
| Dropper post | Internal, cable routing through BB area via pass through for easier routing. | |
| Seat Clamp | TD4 clamp designed to integrate with frame shape. Simple clamp design, no internal wedge or proprietary clamp oddities. | |
| Thru Axles |
Front optionally convertible to 15mm. | |
| Headset | 52mm integrated frame cups. Rodeo semi-integrated headset included w stainless bearings. IS 52 | 40 upper, IS52 | 40 lower. Integrated stem / bar installations will typically use a matching headset. | |
| Chainring compatibility | 2x: max 50/34, min 36/24. 1x: max 48, and larger is possible with a WIDE spec crankset. | |
| Front derailleur mounting | Braze-on, removable derailleur hanger available upon request. | |
| Rear derailleur hanger | Aluminum, replaceable UDH native slider allows for SRAM Transmission drivetrain installations. Standard derailleur supported using the SRAM UDH standard derailleur hanger. | |
| Di2 battery position | Downtube. Secured with hardware / ties. Accessed via downtube storage hatch. | |
| Fender mounts | Frame and fork with Stay Dry kit. Max 65mm outer fender width at 700c. M5 bolts. | |
| Bottle cage mounts | 2 positions inside main triangle via 3 bosses per position. 1 on underside of down tube. 2 on fork, one per leg. Two top tube eyelets also support bottle or bag mounting. | |
| Rack mounts | 1 on seat stay bridge. Lower seat stays 1 per side. Tailfin mounting supported on frame eyelets or via through axle kit from Tailfin. Must use the optional Tailfin UDH adapter matched to your derailleur. | |
| Fork mounts | Three mid-leg eyelets per fork blade, spaced for a water bottle cage or three bolt cargo cage. (M5 x 0.8mm). Use 25mm bolts with washer for heavy loads. Two eyelets near axle per side (M5 x 0.8mm). Optional offset eyelet kit available. | |
| Fork crown bolt | Not included. 75mm length typically needed for lights / racks. Not compatible with recessed brake nuts. Use nylon washers on each end of bolt to protect fork. | |
| Fork cargo capacity | 27.6 lb / 12.5 kg total cargo weight, evenly distributed | |
| Headset spacer max height | 40mm between headset and stem | |
| Frameset rider weight limit | 280 lb / 127kg | |
| Slider Rage | 30mm of chain stay length adjustability. | |
| Certification | Traildonkey 4.2 has passed the entire suite of ISO 4210 MTB Racing suite of tests. | |
| Warranty | Warranted for life to the original owner against defects in design, materials, and workmanship. Please read our complete warranty policies here. |
The Proof Is In The Pudding
It is next to impossible to summarize the entire range of rides and races that TD has been proven in, but here is a selection spanning its ten year history.
Gravel
Unbound 100: 2nd in category, 2015. 1st in category, 5th overall, 2016. 2nd, 3rd Singlespeed, 2021. 1st Singlespeed, 4th, 5th, 6th Singlespeed, 2023. 2nd, Singlespeed, 2024.
Unbound XL: 2nd Overall, 2023
The Mid South: 3rd Overall, 2020. 2nd Singlespeed, 2023, 2024. 3rd Singlespeed, 2023, 2024.
Gravel Worlds: 1st Singlespeed, 2023, 2024
SBT GRVL: 1st Singlespeed, 2023
Big Sugar: 1st Singlespeed, 2024
Rule Of Three 200: 1st, 3rd, 2024
Bikepacking
Atlas Mountain Race: 3rd, 2020.
Silk Road Mountain Race: 3rd, 2019
Tour Divide: 4th 2024 (fastest moving time). 27th, Edyn Teitge, youngest solo finisher. Numerous other completions.
Ride Across America
Transcontinental
Traka 550
North Cape 4000
Stagecoach 400
Across Andes: 2019 Female winner
Kokopelli Trail (x3)
Veneto Trail
MTB
Crested Butte 40 MTB race, 2014
Leadville 100: 2017, 2018, 2024 (5x Sub 9 hour finishes)
Leadville 50: 2018, 2023
Colorado Marathon MTB series: 2x 1st place, 2x 2nd place
IceMan: Pro Men’s Race
White Rim 100, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024