You Could Own the "PaddyO Sucks At…" X-PR Triathlon Bike

“Maybe you’ve considered trying one of these sports, and maybe watching me succeed is just the push you need. And if I fail? Well, that’s gonna be fun for you, too.” - Paddy O’Connell

You have the chance to own a rare piece of triathlon history: an X-PR triathlon bike ridden and raced by one of Quintana Roo’s BIGGEST stars! No, I’m not talking about an IRONMAN contender like Matt Hanson. I’m talking about someone even BIGGER… literally.

I’m talking about PaddyO.  

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Who is PaddyO? What Does He Suck At?

PaddyO meeting his new Quintana Roo X-PR for the first time.

At 6’5 and 250 pounds, Paddy O’Connell is larger than your average triathlete. But that didn’t stop him from diving headfirst into the sport. He entered his first triathlon for his show “PaddyO Sucks At…”, which is free to watch on OutsideTV. O’Connell calls himself an “average outdoor enthusiast inflated way beyond average size.” In his show, he tries his hand at outdoor activities like climbing, kayaking, orienteering, surfing, and of course, triathlon. 

These are all pursuits that have a steep learning curve, and O’Connell revels in the experience of being a beginner. For many, that tough beginner phase is what holds them back from trying new things. They’re afraid of looking stupid, failing, or sucking. For O’Connell, that’s part of the fun. And painting the picture of that fun is part of what makes Paddy so special.

"Triathlon is classic Type 2 fun, while also being this thing invented by Big Blister to sell Vaseline. I mean, I've never used so much lube. Triathletes unabashedly lube up like they're putting salsa on a burrito at Chipotle." 

With “questionable” athleticism, he has no grand expectations. "PaddyO Sucks At…" is all about the learning process—ups, downs, victories, and defeats—he laughs through it all, and by doing so, he makes intimidating things (like doing your first triathlon) seem infinitely more approachable.  

The PaddyO Sucks At… X-PR

This past summer, O’Connell entered the Long Beach Legacy Triathlon and only had a couple of days before the event to “prepare.” Quintana Roo got O’Connell ready to ride with his own custom X-PR built with a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, HED Vanquish V62 Carbon wheels, a Profile Design cockpit, and XLAB Torpedo Versa 500 hydration system. 

"I could pick it up with a finger. And how sleek it looked; it’s designed with a specific goal in mind; absolutely crushing," O'Connell says. "It was like sitting on a race horse—or a race horse with a rocket ship attached to its ass."

The X-PR is the perfect machine for both beginner and experienced triathletes. If your goal is to maximize your potential without breaking the bank, then the X-PR provides the most performance at the best value. This is because it shares a lot of the same technology as our V-PR superbike. 

The X-PR uses the same carbon frame mold with advanced aero features like the Shift+ downtube and Leading Edge Absent chainstay, which divert turbulent air onto the cleaner non-driveside of the bike to reduce drag and increase efficiency. The main difference between the V-PR and X-PR is that the X-PR uses a slightly different carbon layup to reduce cost in exchange for a bit of extra weight. The X-PR, however, is still among the lightest triathlon bikes on the market, and O’Connell was immediately impressed with how feathery his new bike felt. 

Not only is the X-PR aerodynamic and light, but it is one of the best handling bikes in triathlon, which made it easy for a newbie like O’Connell to hop on and quickly get comfortable. On his first ride, O’Connell felt confident enough to start hammering in the aerobars. During the race, he was able to easily clip along at 25 mph and attack corners. 

PaddyO leaving Gregory at T1. The X-PR is easy to love. 

O’Connell quickly fell in love with his new X-PR race machine, and gave it the nickname “Gregory.” With Gregory at his side, he rode so fast that he crushed his 2-hour goal, finishing in 1:28! A massive success. "It was really cool to use a piece of equipment designed for a specific purpose. Even as a beginner, I was able to realize I was at a huge advantage. The things zips. And really, riding a bike fast is fun."

Best of all, O’Connell said he may do more triathlons in the future.

"We're still in pre-production talks about Season 3 of Paddy O' Sucks At... and talking to Chris Foster at Triathlete.com, he's considering, 'what if Paddy O does an Ironman?'" O'Connell says. "Oh, sweet Jesus. I like Chris a lot,, and we bonded a lot, but when he brings up stuff like this, I'm like 'Bro, I’m gonna breakdance fight you.'" 

Maybe he’ll be doing it on a V-PR orV-PRi though, because the "PaddyO Sucks At…" X-PR is back at Quintana Roo headquarters and available for purchase through ourLightly Ridden Demo Sale. If you’re around PaddyO sized (~58.5cm frame) then this might be the perfect bike to take on your next (or first) triathlon. It has low miles and our pro mechanics have tuned it up and given it their seal of approval. Or, if you’re just a PaddyO superfan, hang this work of art on your wall. It’s been blessed by the big man himself! 

Shop the PaddyO Sucks At… X-PR