The Cyclocross Bicycle

The cyclocross bicycle
Dave Carr, Aug 1996

Last month's introduction to cyclocross only touched on the issue of bike selection. In fact, the choice of equipment for 'cross racing is a complex and fascinating subject. Though cyclocross is a bit like mountain bike racing and a bit like road racing, the sport has unique requirements and has developed its own specialized equipment.

Cross machines, old and new The traditional cyclocross bicycle evolved from the days when European racers would simply take their road bikes on the trail for cross-training during the winter. Today, the modern 'cross bike still resembles a road bike with its 700c wheels, double chainrings, and drop handlebars. Special modifications for 'cross include cantilever brakes for better stopping, knobby tires for traction, and bar-end shifters or "STI"-type brake/shift levers to facilitate gear changes. Manufacturers offer purpose-built machines that are tough and light, and on a true 'cross course they are the fastest.
Lately, however, cyclocross has taken on a fat-tire look as hordes of NORBA members enter the sport. By intent or accident, promoters familiar with mountain bike racing often select rough and technical courses that favor the fat-tire machines. Bumpy trails slow down anyone lacking suspension or cushy tires. Single-track limits passing. And, unless barriers are placed in pairs, mountain bikers can bunny-hop them while most 'crossers are forced to dismount.

The MTB-'cross bike debate There is a bit of controversy brewing over the bike issue. Traditionalists think these NORBA-like courses are not true 'cross, and they may be right. USCF guidelines call for relatively wide, smooth courses that emphasize speed, dexterity, and running. Mountain bikes and mountain-bike courses trample these essential qualities. "How do you put a full-suspension bike on your shoulder?" asks Anton McGready, a prolific Northern California 'crosser and a staunch traditionalist. "Well, you don't. Instead, you put it in the granny gear," to ride a hill that was intended to be run.
Some people have proposed holding separate events for mountain-bikers, as is the custom in Seattle's flourishing 'cross community. Anton firmly supports this approach. "I encourage everyone to join in, no matter what the bike, but I want to see that 'cross stays 'cross," he argues. "If it doesn't get separated, we will lose 'cross and it will just be short-track mountain biking." Anton notes that many top riders such as Don Myrah and Daryl Price, who are professional mountain bikers, insist on riding 'cross bikes.
The 1995 national championship in Massachusetts highlighted the debate. In nasty, icy conditions, Jan Wiejak won the men's race on a traditional 'cross bike, while Jan Bolland won the women's event on a mountain bike, albeit with narrow 1.5" tires. Both champions were later quoted in VeloNews claiming that their bike choice was the only one suited to the conditions.
The best way to resolve the issue may be to support traditional 'cross courses, not to regulate the bike. "Promoters need to be educated if they want to put on a true 'cross race," suggests national team cyclocross coach Clark Natwick. "The ideal course should be wide open, with no single track, gnarly downhills or rocky sections. The key is to have proper course setup, then let people choose their bike." Recognizing this duty, many of the race promoters interviewed for this article said they are working to introduce more authentic courses.
In the end, the rulebook contains few specific provisions for cyclocross equipment, and the local racing scene remains decidedly inclusive. Last year's Surf City flyer offered only these guidelines: "A complete, functioning bicycle with two wheels and knobbies." And, as 'cross tires get fatter with every year, perhaps the only essential difference separating 'cross bikes from mountain bikes is the 700c wheels and drop bars. At races you'll find people on every type of bike imaginable.

So, what do I ride? If you're fairly serious about cyclocross, this might be the year to consider a "real" 'cross bike. As its popularity increases, cyclocross is attracting more manufacturers and retailers, making equipment easier to find. There are handmade frames from craft builders such as Rock Lobster, Ibis, and Salsa; limited-production bikes from larger manufacturers such as Redline and Trek, and numerous imports from Europe. With the trend towards faster 'cross courses, these bikes may regain the advantage they once enjoyed.
On the other hand, if you're new to the sport a mountain bike still may be your best choice. Mountain bikes are rugged and readily available, and the fat tires and upright position help a novice handle the course. It is wise to replace suspension forks with a "rigid" model because the added weight is not worth the marginal handling improvement. Your local bike shop likely has stacks of straight forks left over from other people's suspension upgrades, which the mechanic would be happy to install at a reasonable price. Also take off the water bottle cages to facilitate shouldering the bike in running sections, and remove bar-end extensions, which are barred by the rules.
Another option is a "touring" bike. These have drop bars, tough 700c wheels, cantilever brakes, and plenty of clearance for fat tires. The rare find will even include bar-end shifters. My first race bike was an old Miyata tourer that I picked up for $75 and modified only by adding a $15 pair of knobbies. The drawbacks of most touring bikes are weight and frame geometry that is not race oriented, like a low bottom bracket.
Hybrid bikes--which the industry often refers to by the misappropriated term "cross bikes"--feature 700c wheels but make only fair cyclocross machines. Designed for the casual market, most hybrids tend to be heavy and feature sloping frames that can be awkward to shoulder. On the other hand, high-end hybrid bikes from companies like Marin or Trek can be the serious crosser's best value in a lightweight, race-ready 700c machine.
Finally, there's the good old road bike. Many people have a "classic" road model serving as a commute bike or hanging in the garage, long since cast off in favor of a fancy new racing machine. The older bikes, and newer incarnations such as Bridgestone's RB-1, will have just enough clearance to fit 28c or 32c knobby tires. Old sew-up wheels also find new life as 'cross accessories, for nothing has better pinch-flat resistance than a 'cross tubular. If you want to get fancy, have a framebuilder braze on cantilever bosses for extra braking power.

Go back to the NVV Cyclocross Circuit

	Last month's introduction to cyclocross only touched on the issue of bike selection. In fact, the choice of equipment for 'cross racing is a complex and fascinating subject. Though cyclocross is a bit like mountain bike racing and a bit like road racing, the sport has unique requirements and has developed its own specialized equipment.
Cross machines, old and new	The traditional cyclocross bicycle evolved from the days when European racers would simply take their road bikes on the trail for cross-training during the winter. Today, the modern 'cross bike still resembles a road bike with its 700c wheels, double chainrings, and drop handlebars. Special modifications for 'cross include cantilever brakes for better stopping, knobby tires for traction, and bar-end shifters or "STI"-type brake/shift levers to facilitate gear changes. Manufacturers offer purpose-built machines that are tough and light, and on a true 'cross course they are the fastest. Lately, however, cyclocross has taken on a fat-tire look as hordes of NORBA members enter the sport. By intent or accident, promoters familiar with mountain bike racing often select rough and technical courses that favor the fat-tire machines. Bumpy trails slow down anyone lacking suspension or cushy tires. Single-track limits passing. And, unless barriers are placed in pairs, mountain bikers can bunny-hop them while most 'crossers are forced to dismount.
The MTB-'cross bike debate	There is a bit of controversy brewing over the bike issue. Traditionalists think these NORBA-like courses are not true 'cross, and they may be right. USCF guidelines call for relatively wide, smooth courses that emphasize speed, dexterity, and running. Mountain bikes and mountain-bike courses trample these essential qualities. "How do you put a full-suspension bike on your shoulder?" asks Anton McGready, a prolific Northern California 'crosser and a staunch traditionalist. "Well, you don't. Instead, you put it in the granny gear," to ride a hill that was intended to be run. Some people have proposed holding separate events for mountain-bikers, as is the custom in Seattle's flourishing 'cross community. Anton firmly supports this approach. "I encourage everyone to join in, no matter what the bike, but I want to see that 'cross stays 'cross," he argues. "If it doesn't get separated, we will lose 'cross and it will just be short-track mountain biking." Anton notes that many top riders such as Don Myrah and Daryl Price, who are professional mountain bikers, insist on riding 'cross bikes. The 1995 national championship in Massachusetts highlighted the debate. In nasty, icy conditions, Jan Wiejak won the men's race on a traditional 'cross bike, while Jan Bolland won the women's event on a mountain bike, albeit with narrow 1.5" tires. Both champions were later quoted in VeloNews claiming that their bike choice was the only one suited to the conditions. The best way to resolve the issue may be to support traditional 'cross courses, not to regulate the bike. "Promoters need to be educated if they want to put on a true 'cross race," suggests national team cyclocross coach Clark Natwick. "The ideal course should be wide open, with no single track, gnarly downhills or rocky sections. The key is to have proper course setup, then let people choose their bike." Recognizing this duty, many of the race promoters interviewed for this article said they are working to introduce more authentic courses. In the end, the rulebook contains few specific provisions for cyclocross equipment, and the local racing scene remains decidedly inclusive. Last year's Surf City flyer offered only these guidelines: "A complete, functioning bicycle with two wheels and knobbies." And, as 'cross tires get fatter with every year, perhaps the only essential difference separating 'cross bikes from mountain bikes is the 700c wheels and drop bars. At races you'll find people on every type of bike imaginable.
So, what do I ride?	If you're fairly serious about cyclocross, this might be the year to consider a "real" 'cross bike. As its popularity increases, cyclocross is attracting more manufacturers and retailers, making equipment easier to find. There are handmade frames from craft builders such as Rock Lobster, Ibis, and Salsa; limited-production bikes from larger manufacturers such as Redline and Trek, and numerous imports from Europe. With the trend towards faster 'cross courses, these bikes may regain the advantage they once enjoyed. On the other hand, if you're new to the sport a mountain bike still may be your best choice. Mountain bikes are rugged and readily available, and the fat tires and upright position help a novice handle the course. It is wise to replace suspension forks with a "rigid" model because the added weight is not worth the marginal handling improvement. Your local bike shop likely has stacks of straight forks left over from other people's suspension upgrades, which the mechanic would be happy to install at a reasonable price. Also take off the water bottle cages to facilitate shouldering the bike in running sections, and remove bar-end extensions, which are barred by the rules. Another option is a "touring" bike. These have drop bars, tough 700c wheels, cantilever brakes, and plenty of clearance for fat tires. The rare find will even include bar-end shifters. My first race bike was an old Miyata tourer that I picked up for $75 and modified only by adding a $15 pair of knobbies. The drawbacks of most touring bikes are weight and frame geometry that is not race oriented, like a low bottom bracket. Hybrid bikes--which the industry often refers to by the misappropriated term "cross bikes"--feature 700c wheels but make only fair cyclocross machines. Designed for the casual market, most hybrids tend to be heavy and feature sloping frames that can be awkward to shoulder. On the other hand, high-end hybrid bikes from companies like Marin or Trek can be the serious crosser's best value in a lightweight, race-ready 700c machine. Finally, there's the good old road bike. Many people have a "classic" road model serving as a commute bike or hanging in the garage, long since cast off in favor of a fancy new racing machine. The older bikes, and newer incarnations such as Bridgestone's RB-1, will have just enough clearance to fit 28c or 32c knobby tires. Old sew-up wheels also find new life as 'cross accessories, for nothing has better pinch-flat resistance than a 'cross tubular. If you want to get fancy, have a framebuilder braze on cantilever bosses for extra braking power.