Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
With the cyclocross season just around the corner, guys and gals are scrambling to tweak their bikes or build up something new. I get lots of people in the shop that don't really understand what cyclocross is about or what type of equipment you need to have a great time in the mud!! Here's some key things to be "in the know" like all the cool 'cross kids. However cyclocross, like mountain biking, does have a few different bike setups, this is just how I roll.
Start with a cross frame. Cross frames have wider chain/seat stays for bigger tires and mud clearance, they also have cantilever brake mounts. You can run discs if you're a newb, but they have no advantages once you're out there.
Less is more. No need for 2 chainrings up front. Cross has one speed, fast!! Save weight and aggrivation by removing the inner ring. I run a Spot 42T SS ring with a Salsa Crossing guard and N'Gear Jumpstop. It also allows you to run a shorter chain, saving more weight and keeping drivetrain tension tight through the bumpys.
Brakes. I've had a few different setups before I settled on this one. Wide cantis are great because they maintain a good feel even in the worst conditions and they clear mud like nobody's business. I like the Tektro 720 because they use a V-brake pad which allows for better adjustment. Also a must have, Swiss Stop green compound brakepads, you won't be sorry!! Brake setup tip: Run the brakes a little soft to prevent arm fatigue and allow for faster pit stops if you get a flat.
Left brake lever. Save loot and weight by only getting a right hand shifter and buying some BS drop bar lever for the other side. They won't match, but who cares!! I run this Cane Creek one because it has a brake release, I can open the brake coming into the pit if I get a front flat.
Tires. There are tons of options out there, clincher, tubular, fast, knobby, 32, 35. Just like in mountain biking you need to see what works for you. I use a clincher only so I can swap wheels from my road bike. I like a more open tread because it's fast and clears mud. But it's good to run a different tire one your pit wheels and decide which to run after you pre-ride the course
Plug your waterbottle holes. You don't drink during cross races. Take off your cages and remove the bolts and replace them with grub screws or cover them with electrical tape. It's just one less thing to get caught on while shouldering your bike for run-ups. And it's lighter.
FSA CX headset. I love this thing. With the built in brake stop, it allows me to run the bars as low as possible, allowing for a super-aggro position on the bike. And once again, less is more.
So there you have it, this bike weighs in at just over 17.5 pounds as it sits, which is pretty good for a CX bike. It's also a 52cm so that helps as well. Cost to build this bike? I don't want to know but it's probably right around 3 grand, maybe a little over. You could make it much more by running pimpy deep-dish carbon wheels, you could make it a lot less by not running Dura-Ace or Bonty Race X-Lite wheels. The stock version of this bike is pretty bangin' right out of the box with a full Ultegra build.
I know there are a few other cross guys on here, so post your stuff as well and lets convert some of these fat tire guys to the dark side!!
-Jim.
Start with a cross frame. Cross frames have wider chain/seat stays for bigger tires and mud clearance, they also have cantilever brake mounts. You can run discs if you're a newb, but they have no advantages once you're out there.
Less is more. No need for 2 chainrings up front. Cross has one speed, fast!! Save weight and aggrivation by removing the inner ring. I run a Spot 42T SS ring with a Salsa Crossing guard and N'Gear Jumpstop. It also allows you to run a shorter chain, saving more weight and keeping drivetrain tension tight through the bumpys.
Brakes. I've had a few different setups before I settled on this one. Wide cantis are great because they maintain a good feel even in the worst conditions and they clear mud like nobody's business. I like the Tektro 720 because they use a V-brake pad which allows for better adjustment. Also a must have, Swiss Stop green compound brakepads, you won't be sorry!! Brake setup tip: Run the brakes a little soft to prevent arm fatigue and allow for faster pit stops if you get a flat.
Left brake lever. Save loot and weight by only getting a right hand shifter and buying some BS drop bar lever for the other side. They won't match, but who cares!! I run this Cane Creek one because it has a brake release, I can open the brake coming into the pit if I get a front flat.
Tires. There are tons of options out there, clincher, tubular, fast, knobby, 32, 35. Just like in mountain biking you need to see what works for you. I use a clincher only so I can swap wheels from my road bike. I like a more open tread because it's fast and clears mud. But it's good to run a different tire one your pit wheels and decide which to run after you pre-ride the course
Plug your waterbottle holes. You don't drink during cross races. Take off your cages and remove the bolts and replace them with grub screws or cover them with electrical tape. It's just one less thing to get caught on while shouldering your bike for run-ups. And it's lighter.
FSA CX headset. I love this thing. With the built in brake stop, it allows me to run the bars as low as possible, allowing for a super-aggro position on the bike. And once again, less is more.
So there you have it, this bike weighs in at just over 17.5 pounds as it sits, which is pretty good for a CX bike. It's also a 52cm so that helps as well. Cost to build this bike? I don't want to know but it's probably right around 3 grand, maybe a little over. You could make it much more by running pimpy deep-dish carbon wheels, you could make it a lot less by not running Dura-Ace or Bonty Race X-Lite wheels. The stock version of this bike is pretty bangin' right out of the box with a full Ultegra build.
I know there are a few other cross guys on here, so post your stuff as well and lets convert some of these fat tire guys to the dark side!!
-Jim.