Just took a spin on the cross bike as we are 3 weeks away from the first event. It’s so anti slowtwitch, who here participates in the dark-anerobic side. What are you runnig for gearing? I have a gossamer cross 48 38 with an 12-23 in back. I was thinking of no front derailuer and just using the 48 and a one of those inside plastic chain holder deals to keep the chain on. None of our courses are too hilly, and if they are they make us run up them anyway. For those who don’t do this, it is seriously fun and the events usually take on a feeling like Triathlons where food and even beer is on tap afterwards.
I’ve only tried it a couple of times, but yes, cyclocross is stupid fun that everyone should participate in! Watching the pros fly over the barriers is just amazing.
Chris
I don’t really count, as i am a novice. I watched a couple of races last season, and spent much of September practicing my mounts/dismounts. I will definitely race this year.
I have a slingshot cross, and plan to run a single 44 ring with guard/keeper, and a 12-27 cassette. But willing to take suggestions.
Looking forward to the season.
Mark
IM Moo and Chequamegon are simply warm-up for my CX season!
I run 48 (or 46)/38 with 12-25.
Only upgrade this year is to find some Onza brakes…
Right pix was the State Champs and left was a flat/woody race w/o any hills…thus the cages stayed on.
Mark, do you know about the cross practice thursdays 6pm at Harbin park? Great fun and training.
Hey Marko16
Yes cross is the best and all my racing up to now is just training for Cross.
I run a 12/28 in the back we need it here in Oregon when it gets muddy!
But if it’s dryer were you race a 23 would be fine. Now go out and do some bearer work that will save you the most time.
Were you racing?
Have fun!!
Dan…
There’s a bevy of crossers on the site. I ran a single 42T up front last year with a single outer guard and a Cateye chain watcher inside. You’ll need an outer guard if you don’t have the ft der. On the back: 12x25 or 12x27 depending on the course. No dropped chains and only one shifter to think about when anerobic. A number of teammates have now followed suit and love the set-up as well.
A low gear of 48x23 seems very studly. I ran a 38/48 x 12x25 last year and decided to go 12x26 this year. I have a Kona Jack the Snake.
The key techincal question for a crosser is - What wheel and tire combo are you using? (I plan on running clinchers, either Michelin Muds or Jets depending on the mud and wetness factors onteh courses.)
Cyclocross - It hurts then it really really hurts and then its over.
David K
What cat are you? My back was so messed up from IM MOO and all the following CX races that I could not run up the log stairs at that course. I will have a better year and a new bike to boot.
I race in MN, we have a nice long season this year. They have a race scheduled for the last weekend in november, which the last few years we’ve had nice long Falls. Most of our races are dry and fast as it’s a dry time of the year. Perfect for me as I’m too lazy this time of year to clean mud off a bike.
48 is quite large for a big ring for cross. It’s ridiculous for a single ring. Erwin Vervecken runs a 46x12 or 11 for a big gear, Bart Wellens runs a 42 or 44 x 12 or 11. That’s at world championship pace on fast European courses.
I usually advise riders at the clinics I give to use a single 42 with a 12-27 or a 46x39/38 and a 12-25/27.
Last year I ran 46/36 on two of my bikes, and a single 42 on my third (training/mud) bike (I had good sponsorship last year - no third bike for me this year.)
I have wheels set up with 12x27 and 12x 25, and vary cogset/tires/tire pressure with the demands of the course.
There is a ton of cross info floating in the forum archives - you might try doing a search for more info.
.
46/36 12/25 on one bike and 44/34 12/25 on the other bike. Most courses are hilly around here.
42-44 in front for a single and at least a 25 in back. Unless you are in a dirt crit above a 46 single chainring is real studly. The outside ring protector and a seattube mounted chain watcher works well. Double front chainguards sometimes require a wider BB then you mess with chainline and Q factor crap that is too hard to splain and can add some costs.
Most important is to learn how to get off and in a pretty big hurry and go like hell the first 10min in a race. I am not too sure why more tridudes and dudettes don’t do cross. It is way hard, but so much fun it should be against the law.
I raced both B and C at all of the races last year at it was my 1st CX season. Think I was 3rd overall points and took 5th at the State Champs after a nice biff on the fast downhill. Not sure what the team tactics this year may be…but I’ll be wearing this. Make sure you say hi…I’ll definately be at the PorkChop!
Pork Chop is 50 miles north of me and I used to wrench with Hollywood back at the uptown Now Sports. I do the A races as a 35+ with the GP boys, see you there.
The real question is where hasn’t Jay worked? ;o) It’s pretty cool that he has all the jerseys lined up in his shop and thankful for “most” of his stints. If any mpls lurkers are out there…go buy your stuff from Jay.
It is fun to see him lock up his brakes and throw his bike sideways in the 1st turn…
Is there a website that lists the MN races? I saw the list on the wisco web site www.wicycling.org, but there are no links to any information about the races.
i want to come over and do the minneapolis race on the 24th - but want to get a bit more information before i drive all the way…
48 is STEEP…
I use 12-25 in the back with a 42 or 44 in the fron depending on the course…
If I can’t stomp a 42/44x25, I can run faster!
Technique can (even if not especially will) make or break your race if you are competetive… watch videos/local races and notice the fast ones in the barriers…they will not even change speed as they transition into, through and out the barriers…
Practice, practice, practice…
And have fun… I look forward to it every season.
Go to race calendar…links to months on left.
The Pork Chop is a tough race, mostly grass with several uphill dismounts.