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Myerson's new bike for 2013: the Ridley X-Fire with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Myerson’s new bike for 2013: the Ridley X-Fire with disc brakes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Longtime racer Adam Myerson has officially made the switch to disc brakes for the 2013 cyclocross season, electing for the arguably stronger braking power on his Ridley X-Fire. We checked out his bike this weekend at Gloucester, but it’s already been put through the paces with a great showing at Nittany for the season opener and a win at the Midnight Ride of Cross that kicked off Holy Week in New England last Wednesday night.

Tested on Pave. Adam Myerson's Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

Tested on Pave. Adam Myerson’s Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

We haven’t looked at one of Myerson’s bikes in a while, but back in 2010, we spoke with him about the rule change that would allow disc brakes on ’cross bikes, and he wasn’t a fan. He said then, “I don’t think disc brakes are going to change the sport in an unrecognizable way, but I think we’re losing some of the differentiation between what a cyclocross bike is and what a mountain bike is.” But with the rest of the pack making the switch, the change made sense in the context of modern racing, and his season has been trending upward.

Internal routing is becoming the norm on ’cross bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine

Internal routing is becoming the norm on ’cross bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine

The frame is the 2014 X-Fire Disc, made with Unidirectional carbon with a tapered headtube and internal cable routing. Myerson’s bike is equipped with TRP Spyre dual piston mechanical disc brakes and SRAM Force 22 componentry, with an EIS stem. Despite moving to the new SRAM component group, Myerson has elected to stay with mechanical rather than SRAM’s new hydraulic disc brake system.

Ultra-long stem fro eleven81. © Cyclocross Magazine

Ultra-long stem from eleven81. © Cyclocross Magazine

Also noteworthy were his Mercury X-Series cyclocross tubular wheelset and his tires: a prototype that mechanic CJ Congrove says is a prototype of a new Vittoria XG, with the noticeably different tan-colored sidewalls, a switch from Vittoria’s standard black sidewalls.

Myerson's prototype Vittoria XG tires. © Cyclocross Magazine

Myerson’s prototype Vittoria XG tires. © Cyclocross Magazine

Spec Highlights:

  • Candy pedals from Crankbrothers on Myerson's Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

    Candy pedals from Crankbrothers on Myerson’s Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

    Frame: 2014 Ridley X-Fire

  • Components: SRAM Force 22 with YAW
  • Bottom Bracket: PF 30
  • Tires: Prototype Vittoria XG
  • Wheels: Mercury X-Series cyclocross tubular wheelset
  • Brakes: TRP Spyre dual piston mechanical disc brake (aluminum)
  • Bars: EIS
  • Stem: eleven81

    SRAM Force 22 on Myerson's Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

    SRAM Force 22 on Myerson’s Ridley X-Fire. © Cyclocross Magazine

  • Pedals: Crankbrothers Candy
  • Saddle: San Marco Regal
Myerson has finally opted to go for disc brakes this season. © Cyclocross Magazine

Myerson has finally opted to go for disc brakes this season. © Cyclocross Magazine