You might not recognize Zachary Bernier-Michaud’s name, but the youngest ever sub-8-hour Ironman(!) — and his eye-catching custom Ku TF1 — should be on your radar in 2026.
(Photo: Travis Mundell/Triathlete)
Published March 27, 2026 10:49AM
If last year’s men’s Ironman World Championship is any indication, it’s crucial to pay attention to the up-and-comers. And no one is coming up faster (literally) than Canada’s Zachary Bernier-Michaud. Though the 21-year-old had almost no notable long-course results before 2025, he went on a tear last year, culminating in a sub-8-hour finish at Ironman Arizona in November.
You’d be forgiven for missing the fact that Bernier-Michaud became the youngest-ever sub-8-hour Ironman with his 10th-place finish in Arizona, but it’s just a matter of time before the Canadian drills down on his swim to make the main group and capitalize on his strong bike and run.
In his first race of 2026, Bernier-Michaud will be riding the striking, aero-at-all costs custom-sized Ku TF1. Take a look at the leader of the next generation’s fascinating 70.3 Oceanside setup below:
Zachary Bernier-Michaud’s 2026 70.3 Oceanside Ku TF1
Inspired by F1 racing, the Ku TF1 is certainly one of the most eye-catching designs in the transition area — particularly in a time when other brands are strangely abandoning non-traditional aerodynamic designs for UCI-legal frames (see: Ventum’s Tempus).
Like many other pros, Bernier-Michaud has chosen to use a 1x drivetrain and a Sram Red 165mm crank (with built-in power measurement) turning a 54T chainring.
Bernier-Michaud completes his drivetrain with a Sram Red AXS 12-speed rear derailleur, a CeramicSpeed Aero OS pulley wheel, and a 10-33t cassette.
Rarely seen in the U.S., Bernier-Michaud will use a disc wheel from U.K.-based CES on race day, with a CES .3 three-spoke wheel on the front. He’ll use 25mm Continental GP5000 TT TR tires for the rear and 26mm Continental Aero 111 tires for the front.
Here we get our first close-up look at the Ku TF1’s unique, super-tall head tube section. Using a combination of spacers, a tall carbon-formed head tube (with internal pivot steering box), and a large 3D-printed compartment, the Ku design seeks to minimize “dirty air” between the riders’ arms.
Bernier-Michaud’s cockpit setup includes a stock Ku basebar with Fast TT aero extensions, and Ku’s in-house between the arms hydration mount. From this view we also get a glimpse of his unique textured base bar grips and a batter view of the unique pivot steering box that helps create Ku’s special frontal aero profile.
Here we see another custom touch for Bernier-Michaud’s ride, but also the small “window” in the TF1’s head tube section.
Bernier-Michaud has added a 3D-printed compartment to help with aerodynamics and give more nutrition storage options.
Here we get a look at Bernier-Michaud’s EZ Gains behind the saddle hydration storage — something that is becoming nearly ubiquitous in the pro ranks. On race day, he’ll also be using an ISM PN3.0 saddle.
