Loading ...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
DVD Review: Warriors of Cyclocross
March 20th, 2010 Filed Under print magazine archives, reviews, video
Warriors of Cyclocross
This product review is from Issue 8. Want to see more great content like this? You can buy backorders of the entire Issue 8, as well as most of the Issues published to date, and subscribe to Cyclocross Magazine on our Subscription page.
The new Warriors of Cyclocross DVD covers Junior Men, Espoir Men, Elite Women and Elite Men races from the 2008 Nationals in Kansas City. The same company that made last year’s Zero Traction has created Warriors, and not surprisingly the two films share many characteristics.
See the trailer below: …continue reading: DVD Review: Warriors of Cyclocross
Inflator Reviews: Prestaflator and Problem Solvers Air-Bob Universal
March 18th, 2010 Filed Under print magazine archives, reviews
Prestaflator and Problem Solvers Air-Bob Universal Inflators
This product review is from Issue 8. Want to see more great content like this? You can buy back copies of the entire Issue 8, as well as most of the issues published to date, and subscribe to Cyclocross Magazine on our subscription page.
If you are fortunate enough to have an air compressor in your shop or garage, you know how useful it can be for all sorts of things. With a long enough air hose and the right air tool, you can loosen lug nuts, paint furniture, blow gunk out of your cassette and even clean gutters. But all of that, of course, is mere justification for the luxury purchase of a machine which will effortlessly inflate your bike tires for you. While just about any cheap accessory kit will include a basic Schrader valve inflator, I’m willing to bet that you have Presta valves on your wheelsets – in which case you basically have two choices: the Prestaflator and Problem Solvers’ Air-Bob. I tested both. …continue reading: Inflator Reviews: Prestaflator and Problem Solvers Air-Bob Universal
Shimano and Campagnolo – Can’t We All Get Along?
June 27th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 1, cyclocross tech
Shimano derailleurs and Campagnolo Ergopower levers happy together
By popular demand, we’re finally publishing our Bike Hacker story (originally published in our premier issue, Issue 1) online. Note: It was written prior to the emergence of Campagnolo 11-speed drivetrains and the popular SRAM DoubleTap. Stay tuned for a follow-up with more bike hacking in our upcoming Issue 7.
Most ‘cross racers don’t have the luxury of component sponsors, don’t receive new bikes or new drivetrains each year, and lack pit crews to clean their bikes every lap. So, they need to select parts that will perform, be reliable under all conditions, are lightweight and affordable, and hopefully last many seasons.
We at Cyclocross Magazine are no different, and as we choose parts for our ‘cross bikes, we take all these things under consideration in hand-picking our parts. Over the last few years, we’ve come to be fond of one particular setup: …continue reading: Shimano and Campagnolo – Can’t We All Get Along?
Georgia Gould Transforms a Racer to Superfan
June 15th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 5, editorial, print magazine archives, the racer's view
Superfans bare all for Georgia Gould. by Suzanne Webster
by David Hutton
(this story was one of many published in our print Issue 5)
We all know how ‘cross is a spectator-friendly sport, and regardless of rider turnout, fans can make or break the atmosphere of a race. From local racing to big-time UCI battles, it’s not just the in-race action that brings the race to life, but those cheering, heckling and, um, “hydrating” that really breathe life into the race.
It’s not very often that I get the opportunity to go and simply watch a ‘cross race. As an avid ‘cross fan, a cycling junkie and a “categorically fast” road …continue reading: Georgia Gould Transforms a Racer to Superfan
Cyclocross Bike Geometry: The Highs and Lows of Bottom Bracket Heights and Drops
May 5th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 4, cyclocross tech, editorial
E = The Bottom Bracket Drop
Shopping for a cyclocross bike? It’s worth looking beyond the parts and listed size to determine whether the bike is a good fit and meets your needs. In this article, Brooke Hoyer takes a deeper look at cyclocross bike geometries, specifically bottom bracket heights and drops. (This was originally published in Issue 4. Have you subscribed to our print mag yet?)
By Brooke Hoyer
Of the many differences in frame geometry between a cyclocross and road bicycle, the one getting quite a bit of buzz in the ‘cross community is bottom bracket drop. This measurement is the distance between a horizontal line through the center of the wheel hubs and another horizontal line through the center of the bottom bracket. A road bike typically has …continue reading: Cyclocross Bike Geometry: The Highs and Lows of Bottom Bracket Heights and Drops
Tough Love Cyclocross Training with a Personal Trainer
May 4th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 4, training and technique
Yesterday we brought you Michael Birner’s article on planning your pre-season training for cyclocross. But putting it all together is easier said than done. Perhaps you need a trainer to help you stick to your plan? Hector Finely tells us how he prepared for his best season yet with a tough, unforgiving trainer. This article was published in our Issue 4.
By Hector Finely
After a disappointing ‘07 season, I had to do something to better prepare myself for the upcoming year.
In May, I got a personal trainer. She’s loud. She’s relentless. She has her routine, and I can’t question it. If she’s not happy with my efforts, she has no problem letting me know I’m not cutting it.
She doesn’t care if I had a tough day. She doesn’t care if I’m tired. …continue reading: Tough Love Cyclocross Training with a Personal Trainer
Training for Cyclocross – Pre-Season Training Plans
May 3rd, 2009 Filed Under Issue 3, training and technique
Whether you’re racing road or mountain or sitting on the couch waiting for ‘cross, it’s never too early to start planning your training for this season. We’re here to help. In this series of four articles, USAC Level 2 coach Mike Birner will guide your training through a successful cyclocross season. This is Part I, originally published in our Issue 3. Part II was in Issue 4 and online, and Part III was published exclusively online in Fall ‘08, and part IV was published in Issue 5 and online in January.
Building a Base: June through September
Since its inception, cyclists have used cyclocross as a means of maintaining their fitness through the off-season until their primary racing season returned. For some that is still the case, but more and more riders each year are deciding to make the cyclocross season their primary focus. If you are reading this magazine or website in the warmer months it’s likely that …continue reading: Training for Cyclocross – Pre-Season Training Plans
Last Call for Cross Eyed Gallery Submissions
March 15th, 2009 Filed Under cyclocross photos, print magazine archives
The Cross Eyed Gallery, our reader-submitted photo gallery, is back in our next issue, and we’re looking for a few more photos for it. Upload a few of your best with captions to our community site here for consideration and a chance to win some swag.
Going Tubeless in Cyclocross – Part II
March 9th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 3, cyclocross tech
In our Part II of our series on riding tubeless tires for cyclocross, you’ll learn how to convert your current wheels for tubeless, install sealant, and mount and inflate a tire. …continue reading: Going Tubeless in Cyclocross – Part II
Going Tubeless in Cyclocross – Part I
March 7th, 2009 Filed Under Issue 3, cyclocross tech
It’s officially the off season (unless you’re racing Colorado’s Cult Cross series), and now’s the perfect time to experiment with your equipment and make upgrades before next season. And with the tough economic times, perhaps the tubular funds are smaller this year. It could be the time to try tubeless.
Here’s Part I of our tubeless primer, by Josh Patterson from our sold-out Issue 3. …continue reading: Going Tubeless in Cyclocross – Part I
How-To: Singlespeed Conversion (in time for SSCXWC)
November 3rd, 2008 Filed Under Issue 2, cyclocross tech
Just in time for SSCXWC ‘08, we’ve got a how-to article on singlespeed conversions. This article is part of the Singlespeed Overdose feature in Issue 2 that also reviewed tensioners and covered the first edition of the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships in Portland, Oregon.
by Andrew Yee
Plato once said, “Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” …continue reading: How-To: Singlespeed Conversion (in time for SSCXWC)
The Best Cyclocross Bike Shops
August 1st, 2008 Filed Under print magazine archives
If you’re in the market for new ‘cross gear, need your bike serviced, or need to pick up a copy of our magazine, we’ve compiled a list of top ‘cross shops to our site, easily reachable from our site header (see the “Best CX Shops” link). It’s growing every week, so check back often to see if there’s a new CXM-certified shop in your area.
If your favorite ‘cross shop is missing, drop their name in a comment below, and let them know they should get with the CXM program!
The First Dismount
July 2nd, 2008 Filed Under print magazine archives
It’s that time of year already. Folks are laying out their cyclocross training plans, dusting off the ‘cross bike and running shoes, and starting to scrape off old tubular glue. In that spirit, we’re posting a timely Issue 1 piece for you from killer B racer and Kiwi, Damian Handisides. But before you go and do your own first dismount, you might read this to avoid injury.
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With six-month-old dirt from the last season still present on my trusty steed and nine months of restlessness trapped deep inside, I venture out on the first “training ride” of the cyclocross season.
My training partner, Chris, arrives promptly at 6:00 and we are off for the first true suffering that I have experienced in a while.
En route to the local trails we have about 10-15 minutes to discuss how we both plan to put in a good full season of racing. I can’t help but wonder if the bike beneath me feels like it has heard this story before. I can’t help getting excited for ‘cross, but my excitement comes so early I’ve often peaked before the season has begun.
Now at the local trails, with dirt beneath the comfortably wide (by roadie standards) knobby tires, the true spirit of this drop-bar bike comes to life. What is it that makes riding a drop-bar and skinny tires on dirt so exhilarating? I suppose it has something to do with the sincere lack of control when compared to a road bike’s firm grip on asphalt or the tacky hold of a mountain bike’s much wider tires. This is perhaps the essence of what makes my ‘cross bike different from the other bikes in my quiver. It asks more of me than the others and commands my full attention as we prepare to propel ourselves down the same single track that someone just ventured down on their fully suspended beast of a bike. But as it asks more of me, I ask more of it. …continue reading: The First Dismount
Confessions of a Sandbagger
March 24th, 2008 Filed Under print magazine archives
Everyone has had some experience with sandbagging. Perhaps you find yourself always being dominated by the same racers. Or maybe you find yourself coming home regularly with swag from B and C-level races? Perhaps you’ve bid on the eBay Upgrade Points auction offered by a group of New England racers that we covered in Issue 2. Regardless, we’ve all got a sandbagging story. Hector Finely offered up his for our premier Issue 1.
This story was originally published in Cyclocross Magazine’s Issue 1, November 2007, and proved to be a reader favorite.
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Confessions of a Sandbagger
By Hector Finely
“Dude, I was riding beginners two years ago.”
“I have no bike handling skills.”
“I don’t ride my bike at all during Jan through Sept.”
“I don’t have any fitness or talent.”
“It’s not like I’m a Cat 2 racing B’s and winning everything.”
“I don’t race road or mountain like everyone else.”
“I only ride once during the week.”
I said those things repeatedly, trying to convince my friends, and more importantly myself, that what I was doing was …continue reading: Confessions of a Sandbagger
