Loading ...Pro Bike Preview – Twin Towers’ Carbon Kona Jake – UPDATED: Photos
August 30th, 2010 Filed Under Pro Bike Profile, cyclocross news
The Jake won't be this clean when Trebon and Wicks get their hands on it. © Joe Sales
Ryan Trebon and Barry Wick have a new weapon in their race kits. While shooting the latest and greatest at the Crankworx festival in Whistler, Cyclocross Magazine contributor Joe Sales was able to catch a glimpse of the new all-carbon Kona Major Jake. The new photos provide a closer look at the updated ride that we profiled earlier this summer.
by Jamie Mack
In the world of ’cross bikes, 17 pounds is a respectable weight that many manufacturers claim for their average size frames. With a new ’cross frame revealed during the Sea Otter festival earlier this year, Kona has met that benchmark with the bikes built for two of the tallest riders in ’cross, Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks. Typically found on custom 62+cm frames, the Twin Towers of Kona ride some of the biggest, and perhaps heaviest, frames in the Elite field. But their new 2011 Kona Jakes are taking things to a lower level, in weight anyway, and giving the Kona duo a leg up on the competition. Cyclocross Magazine was able to check in with Barry Wicks and get the inside story on the new rides. …continue reading: Pro Bike Preview – Twin Towers’ Carbon Kona Jake – UPDATED: Photos
Mad Alchemy Unveils New PRO Signature Line
August 18th, 2010 Filed Under new products, press releases
Sneak Peak at the Colors of the 2011 Stevens Cyclocross Line
August 8th, 2010 Filed Under new products
The 2011 Prestige takes its cue from fire engines © Stevens Bikes
Stevens Bikes, sponsor of such Elite athletes as US National Champion Katie Compton, current World Champion Marianne Vos, former World Champions Niels Albert and Hanka Kupfernagel, and Canadian National Team rider Vicki Thomas, has released a preview of their 2011 Carbon Team and Prestige cyclocross bikes. …continue reading: Sneak Peak at the Colors of the 2011 Stevens Cyclocross Line
Felt Bicycles Unveils 2011 ’Cross Lineup
August 7th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, new products
Danny Summerhill piloting his Felt F15X to a top 10 finish at the 2009 Boulder Cup. © Dejan Smaic / sportifimages.com
by David Lawson
Tucked away in a non-descript Orange County industrial park just a few minutes away from the venue of Spooky Cross, SoCal’s largest cyclocross race, lies the world headquarters of Felt Bicycles. The unveiling last week of Felt’s 2011 line of bicycles drew out cycling’s tech illuminati from behind their workstations to poke, prod and photograph the company’s latest offerings. …continue reading: Felt Bicycles Unveils 2011 ’Cross Lineup
Product Reviews: An International Cowbell Shootout
August 5th, 2010 Filed Under Issue 3, reviews
A flurry of cowbells! Illustration © Sean Horita
Here’s an article from way back in Issue 3 of our print magazine. It’s been a while since we delved into the world of cowbells, but it’s high time that this popular article resurfaces. As you cobble together the various accoutrements to make this the best cyclocross season ever, don’t forget to add a healthy dose of quality cowbell! You can still buy Issue 3 from our print archives in its entirety, or why don’t you just go ahead and subscribe already?
by Hector Finely
The real effort for true cyclocross enthusiasts occurs as a spectator, burning more calories and getting muddier as a course-running, racer heckling, grill-mastering, cowbell-ringing super fan.
If you’re serious about being an A-class fan, or at least hoping to not look like a Fred, you need to be equipped for success. And no, your quiver of 15-pound bikes, Dugast-equipped carbon back-up wheels, begging-to-be-worn-without-a-helmet Rapha knickers, and $20-an-ounce-imported embrocation won’t help you here. If you really wanna look like a pro, you gotta have a cowbell.
But don’t go thinking any cowbell will cut it. …continue reading: Product Reviews: An International Cowbell Shootout
2011 Bianchi Lineup – Meet the Cavaria and the Zurigo
July 28th, 2010 Filed Under new products
2011 Bianchi Cavaria. Photo Courtesy Bianchi
Cycling is a colorful sport and, no, we don’t mean the cross-dressing racers and bikini-clad spectators kind of colorful. There are certain items, with a signature color, that are among the most revered symbols of our sport. The yellow jersey, the rainbow stripes, the lantern rouge – iconic images of our sport that evoke powerful memories and emotions about the tradition of history and cycling. And when considering the machines that we share our sport with, there is no color more respected than the celeste green of Bianchi. …continue reading: 2011 Bianchi Lineup – Meet the Cavaria and the Zurigo
Pro Bike Profile – Joachim Parbo’s Leopard CX-1
July 5th, 2010 Filed Under Pro Bike Profile
Danish Champ Joachim Parbo. © Cyclocross Magazine
by Jamie Mack
Joachim Parbo has been racing with the elites since 1998, after moving on from basketball. While the initial seasons were on a mountain bike, Parbo has been focused on ‘cross the last ten years. Hindsight is 20-20, but the decision certainly seems to be a smart one now as he has seen continued success on ‘cross courses around the world including at home - he’s won four Danish Championship titles in the past five seasons.
Parbo is a bit unique among European ‘cross racers due to the amount of time he has raced in the US. While most Europeans tend to race close to home, Parbo traveled extensively last season, competing in 17 US races, including the USGP series. This has been the trend with Parbo for the last four seasons as he continues to be a popular contender at marquee events across the US. …continue reading: Pro Bike Profile – Joachim Parbo’s Leopard CX-1
Blue Competition Cycles 2011 Jonathan Page Signature Series
July 5th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, new products
2011 Norcross SL. Photo Courtesy Blue Competition Cycles.
by Jamie Mack
The 2011 bikes from Blue should be on their way to retailers’ shelves within the next few weeks; Blue has indicated that deliveries are expected sometime in early August. The 2011 line from Blue will include three models all bearing the name of Blue’s home city, Norcross.
The alloy CX6.5 from 2010 will be replaced by the entry level Norcross SP. The SP features an alloy frame with a carbon fork. The build, if purchased as a complete bike, will include the new SRAM Apex group complemented by Avid Shorty 4 brakes and American Classic clincher wheels. The frame shares some features with it’s higher-end carbon brethren such as the tapered head tube and BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell. …continue reading: Blue Competition Cycles 2011 Jonathan Page Signature Series
Product Review: Dr. Will Offers a Great All-Natural Energy Bar to Cyclocrossers
June 26th, 2010 Filed Under new products
Dr. Will Bar - A Different Kind of Bar
by Kenton Berg
In a very crowded market like energy bars, it’s hard for the little guy to stand up and get noticed sometimes, but this is exactly what the folks at Dr. Will Bar have done. They’ve strayed from the mold, literally, and have figured out how to make a great-tasting, calorie-packed, small square-shaped energy bar with wholesome ingredients. On top of all that, Dr. Will figured out how to keep it moist, keep it small, and keep it in the ballpark dollar-wise. …continue reading: Product Review: Dr. Will Offers a Great All-Natural Energy Bar to Cyclocrossers
Pro Bike Profile: Jonathan Page’s Blue Norcross Carbon
June 20th, 2010 Filed Under Pro Bike Profile
Jonathan Page's Blue Norcross. © Cyclocross Magazine
As part of our off-season coverage, Cyclocross Magazine is looking back at the rides some of the top pros were using last season. This is a chance to look back and see what the best of the best were using, and see if any of those parts or technology have trickled down into your budget yet. And while the pro’s may be moving to different rides for the upcoming season, the parts that made it through last season would make proven additions to anyone’s ride.
by Jamie Mack
Any list of the top American ’cross racers would quickly include Jonathan Page. Page consistently rides with the best in the world throughout Europe and still holds the honor of the highest placing by an American at the elite World Championships. The last couple of seasons have seen some ups and downs for the Europe-based American rider, but legions of supporters are always behind the popular racer, pulling for him. The popularity of Page with supporters, both in Europe and the US, is based not only on results but on the approachable, down to earth persona that he’s well-known for. …continue reading: Pro Bike Profile: Jonathan Page’s Blue Norcross Carbon
Own a Piece (or Two) of Cyclocross History
June 8th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross tech
A Vintage Philippe steel cyclocross bike ridden by the late Steve Larsen is up for auction
Sure, we here at Cyclocross Magazine are lucky to be able to ride the latest and greatest cyclocross bikes, often made of exotic materials, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an appreciation for the classic bikes of yesteryear. The dedicated eBay hunter can find the occasional vintage cyclocross bike throughout the year, but this week we discovered two rare classic cyclocross steeds up for auction that the ’cross historian should appreciate.
Steve Larsen’s Philippe vintage cyclocross bike is one of the vintage bikes up for auction, and it’s reportedly one of only four ever made. The late Steve Larsen excelled at every racing discipline he tried, and cyclocross was no exception. His early steel Philippe cyclocross steed …continue reading: Own a Piece (or Two) of Cyclocross History
Specialized Crux – Revelations of the 2011 Offerings
May 30th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, new products
The 2011 Specilized Crux.
by Jamie Mack
While we all wait patiently for the beginning of the 2010 season, bicycle manufacturers are already hard at work focused on ‘cross. Kona has already revealed the all-carbon Major Jake and now photos of the 2011 Specialized line are already beginning to leak out. One faithful reader has secured photo evidence of the upcoming ride and the discussion is already flowing on the cowbell forums.
The official word on the revamped ‘cross line, including the specs, geometry and availability, have not yet been released. But the photos do reveal some interesting features not found in the current TriCross line. One example of a frame that we at Cyclocross Magazine have seen photos of does feature internal cable routing through the front …continue reading: Specialized Crux – Revelations of the 2011 Offerings
Retuled Part II – the 3-D Bike Fit Experience
May 10th, 2010 Filed Under new products, reviews
Fine-tuning the cyclocross fit © Brody Boeger
In the first part of this article, Josh introduced the high-tech Retül bike fitting process he experienced in Portland’s Cyclepath bike shop. Here, he takes a look at moving that data over to other bikes, including his ‘cross bike, and weighs the pros and cons of getting a Retül bike fit.
Multiple Bikes, Art and Science
While the Retül process isn’t cheap – $250 is the going rate – Bill Larson works hard to get his customers good value. “Retül University says a fit should take an hour and a half,” said Larson. “They get you into the median ranges, but they don’t really emphasize explaining the data to the customers or walking them through how all of the numbers interrelate. I feel that $250 is a good amount of money, and I want to give people good bang for the buck. The Retül system is extremely expensive, in the neighborhood of $15,000, so there’s definitely a cost of investment that you need to recoup.” …continue reading: Retuled Part II – the 3-D Bike Fit Experience
It’s Time for a Bike Fit: Get Retuled!
May 9th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, new products, reviews
Retül bike fit: Geeking out over data between runs © Brody Boeger
Spring has (just barely, and not very convincingly in many places) sprung, and for many of us it’s the perfect time to take a good hard look at our bike positions. Or, better yet, have a well-trained professional give your riding setups the eyeball. Think about it – we’re turning the cranks at least 80 times per minute, often for hours on end. Little changes can make huge differences, both in performance and in a body’s well-being. A truly expert bike-fitter can use a combination of angle measuring and old school visual assessment to bring your position to a happy place. In the right hands, the Retül bike fit system can help to even further hone the all-important perch adjustment process via 3-D motion capture and computer analysis. …continue reading: It’s Time for a Bike Fit: Get Retuled!
Sea Otter Expo Cyclocross Products – Sneak Peek of 2011 Redline Bikes
April 26th, 2010 Filed Under new products
The Conquest Pro enjoys long, romantic spins by the lakeside ©Gork Barrette
by Andrew Yee
Sea Otter has come and gone, but we still have more new cyclocross products to reveal that we came across while in Monterey. Redline is preparing to launch its 2011 lineup, and we managed to grab a sneak peek of a few of the new bikes. If you missed our other product news and photos, you can check out our other Sea Otter cyclocross product galleries here.
Redline is typically the first major ‘cross bike manufacturers to get its new product out every year – well before cyclocross season starts, instead of the typical release date after Interbike, when racing is already underway. Redline wants riders to get their bikes ready and dialed in well before racing starts, and other manufacturers are taking note and starting to follow this strategy. …continue reading: Sea Otter Expo Cyclocross Products – Sneak Peek of 2011 Redline Bikes
