So you want to try cyclocross...(updated for 2015!)
- Thread starter Delish
- Start date
Nittnay, Whirley, Sussex, Gloucester... All have/had long stretches exposed to winds...
I think it's pretty much UCI races and any USAC nationals event. May be required at the higher classes at USAC event but then it becomes an enforcement thing.
Also a totally different position with the hood position. Cross is supposed to road bikes on grass/dirt. If everyone runs flat bars, it becomes a mtb race.
Some folks like to descent the steep/tech sections in the drops. Katie Compton, for example, is somebody who uses them a ton.
I hardly ever used the drops other than going haahd on fast/windy/road sections. Set up your hoods right and you don't need to brake from the drops* (*note: unless you plan on winning 15 National Championships in a row).
Tradition matters too. UCI banned them I think after Thomas Frischknecht came in 2nd at worlds in 1997 on flat bars.
Frischknecht won 2nd in a 2-up spring against a drop-bar clad Bramati. Interesting also to note Adrie van der Poel was 4th in this race.
Spinergy Rev X wheels, flat bars....It was all to much for the UCI. Le sigh.
These days flat bars most exclude themselves. You can't make a cx bike fit properly (i.e. put the wheels in the right place) with them.
I hardly ever used the drops other than going haahd on fast/windy/road sections. Set up your hoods right and you don't need to brake from the drops* (*note: unless you plan on winning 15 National Championships in a row).
Tradition matters too. UCI banned them I think after Thomas Frischknecht came in 2nd at worlds in 1997 on flat bars.
Frischknecht won 2nd in a 2-up spring against a drop-bar clad Bramati. Interesting also to note Adrie van der Poel was 4th in this race.
Spinergy Rev X wheels, flat bars....It was all to much for the UCI. Le sigh.
These days flat bars most exclude themselves. You can't make a cx bike fit properly (i.e. put the wheels in the right place) with them.
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Thinking like those bull horn handlebars
Bar ends are super-duper-banned.
BTW - interesting article I found on Frischi. multiple time MTB and CX world champion and olympic medalist. Current director for the Scott team with Nino and Kate Courtney.
But oh the flat-bar horror! Everything else about that Richey Swiss Cross is rad.
