Getting through the Cyclocross season - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-28T13:27:51Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/getting-through-the-cyclocross?id=1198434%3ATopic%3A80326&feed=yes&xn_auth=noyou guys make it look easy. g…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-16:1198434:Comment:808462011-01-16T23:19:17.722ZAndrea DGeorgehttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Andrea925
you guys make it look easy. great work to anyone that does this sport...its not as easy as it might appear. i dont ride but i love the endurance. :)
you guys make it look easy. great work to anyone that does this sport...its not as easy as it might appear. i dont ride but i love the endurance. :) Single speeds have been picki…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-13:1198434:Comment:806062011-01-13T02:45:44.587ZJ.D. Kimplehttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JDKimple423
Single speeds have been picking up pace, but in our series (Cap City Cross, Columbus, OH) there's maybe 6 or 8 guys in the single speed catagory. Don't sweat not taking it seriously, if you're having fun then what does it matter? Go hard, have fun.
Single speeds have been picking up pace, but in our series (Cap City Cross, Columbus, OH) there's maybe 6 or 8 guys in the single speed catagory. Don't sweat not taking it seriously, if you're having fun then what does it matter? Go hard, have fun. Thanks J.D. How prevalent an…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-11:1198434:Comment:804072011-01-11T13:24:44.095ZMike Wahlinhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MikeWahlin
<p>Thanks J.D. How prevalent and serious do you think the single speed races have become? I have the latest issue of CX Magazine in which Barry Wicks responds why he opted out of the SingleSpeed worlds -- I had a really good time. But those guys are starting to take it serious, and I don't want to upset anyone by going over there and not taking it seriously..</p>
<p>Thanks J.D. How prevalent and serious do you think the single speed races have become? I have the latest issue of CX Magazine in which Barry Wicks responds why he opted out of the SingleSpeed worlds -- I had a really good time. But those guys are starting to take it serious, and I don't want to upset anyone by going over there and not taking it seriously..</p> I would love to make cross my…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-11:1198434:Comment:804062011-01-11T13:19:36.692ZMike Wahlinhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MikeWahlin
<p>I would love to make cross my focus.. but am wondering how to do that. I commonly hear, cross is good to do when the road season is out. Maybe that is a perception that needs to be changed? Longterm I think cross is more viable. Crashing is a fact of road racing and not a pleasant one. Much better to crash in sand or dirt!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The plus side for my road team is all the support I get (and pay for). I have two coaches and a really disciplined team. I don't sense that same…</p>
<p>I would love to make cross my focus.. but am wondering how to do that. I commonly hear, cross is good to do when the road season is out. Maybe that is a perception that needs to be changed? Longterm I think cross is more viable. Crashing is a fact of road racing and not a pleasant one. Much better to crash in sand or dirt!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The plus side for my road team is all the support I get (and pay for). I have two coaches and a really disciplined team. I don't sense that same support structure for 'cross where I live, around NYC.</p> This depends, too - does your…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-11:1198434:Comment:804002011-01-11T03:30:37.580ZJ.D. Kimplehttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JDKimple423
<p>This depends, too - does your local CX series have a Single speed class? Quite a few guys in our races will do C or B races with their geared rigs, and then go back and race the single speed race as well. In fact, I'm toying with the idea for next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is not to say you should race both groups. Instead, if your serious, and serious about single speed, you can do it.</p>
<p>This depends, too - does your local CX series have a Single speed class? Quite a few guys in our races will do C or B races with their geared rigs, and then go back and race the single speed race as well. In fact, I'm toying with the idea for next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is not to say you should race both groups. Instead, if your serious, and serious about single speed, you can do it.</p> The previous posts have exper…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-11:1198434:Comment:803932011-01-11T01:19:15.842ZMike Bhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MikeB
<p>The previous posts have expertly addressed the mechanical topics, but I caught something in your note that you may want to factor into your choice. You mention that you're on a road team and plan on racing (I'm assuming) a full road schedule. If so, how seriously do you plan to approach 'cross? In most areas of the country (my locale of Kansas City included) the folks that are getting results during cross season are making that priority number one. While they race other disciplines, the…</p>
<p>The previous posts have expertly addressed the mechanical topics, but I caught something in your note that you may want to factor into your choice. You mention that you're on a road team and plan on racing (I'm assuming) a full road schedule. If so, how seriously do you plan to approach 'cross? In most areas of the country (my locale of Kansas City included) the folks that are getting results during cross season are making that priority number one. While they race other disciplines, the energy goes into cross. If that's the case, gears are a must. But if you're looking at cross as a way to sharpen some skills and have fun, then single is the king as far as reliability goes. You won't get the results, and will suffer on really heavy days, but the ability to hose-lube-n-go is really nice.</p> Single speed may be fun and s…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-10:1198434:Comment:803682011-01-10T21:19:26.207ZJim Linnhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JimLinn
Single speed may be fun and simple, but not competitive. Sure there are some courses where the single speed has less of a disadvantage. And some guys can win on anything. But guys that I'm competitive with on the road can't hang in the CX races when on their single speeds.
Single speed may be fun and simple, but not competitive. Sure there are some courses where the single speed has less of a disadvantage. And some guys can win on anything. But guys that I'm competitive with on the road can't hang in the CX races when on their single speeds. I've been riding a single rin…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-10:1198434:Comment:803662011-01-10T21:06:12.332ZJim Linnhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JimLinn
<p>I've been riding a single ring setup for the past 5 years, 9 spd in the back. I use a Paul chain keeper in the front and a bar end shifter for the rear. Keep your chain clean and lubed, and check your tires, spokes and bolt torques before every race. If your using tubulars, use the Belgian tape and glue 'em on good.</p>
<p>I've not had a mechanical in over 5 years of racing 15+ events per year. I'm no lightweight either at 185 lbs. Usually when I see guys breakdown during a race its one…</p>
<p>I've been riding a single ring setup for the past 5 years, 9 spd in the back. I use a Paul chain keeper in the front and a bar end shifter for the rear. Keep your chain clean and lubed, and check your tires, spokes and bolt torques before every race. If your using tubulars, use the Belgian tape and glue 'em on good.</p>
<p>I've not had a mechanical in over 5 years of racing 15+ events per year. I'm no lightweight either at 185 lbs. Usually when I see guys breakdown during a race its one of the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Dumped chain on the front caused by a sloppy remount, shift or a crash</li>
<li>Rolled tire due to a poor glue job</li>
<li>Broken STI shifter due to a crash</li>
</ol>
<p>Occasionally you will see guys lose a cleat. Make sure to check the torque on you cleats while you are going over the bike.</p>
<p> </p> CX mag has a really good run…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-10:1198434:Comment:803582011-01-10T20:07:39.876ZChris Mayhewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/ChrisMayhew
<p>CX mag has a really good run down of double vs single ring.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I love the 1x9 (now 10 for me). Simple, easy, light. In racing I've not really had any drawbacks. For general riding it can be a pain not having a low or high enough gear.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have a 42t up front and a 12x25 or 27 in the back. On one bike I'm running an N Gear Jump Stop and outer ring. On the other bike I have an outer ring and a K Edge stopper on the inside. They seem equally good but then I've never…</p>
<p>CX mag has a really good run down of double vs single ring.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I love the 1x9 (now 10 for me). Simple, easy, light. In racing I've not really had any drawbacks. For general riding it can be a pain not having a low or high enough gear.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have a 42t up front and a 12x25 or 27 in the back. On one bike I'm running an N Gear Jump Stop and outer ring. On the other bike I have an outer ring and a K Edge stopper on the inside. They seem equally good but then I've never bounced the chain off on either set up (chain tension matters kids)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before that I ran a locked out front der only. It worked for me but was very sensitive to poor technique.</p> Hi Chris,
How has the 1x9 w…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-01-10:1198434:Comment:803562011-01-10T19:07:09.205ZMike Wahlinhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MikeWahlin
<p>Hi Chris,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How has the 1x9 worked for you? and have you noticed any drawbacks? compelling in that I could use my road bike wheels (they are stock on a Cannondale CX bike anyway). What setup are you running for the single ring up front? meaning chain watcher, etc..</p>
<p>Hi Chris,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How has the 1x9 worked for you? and have you noticed any drawbacks? compelling in that I could use my road bike wheels (they are stock on a Cannondale CX bike anyway). What setup are you running for the single ring up front? meaning chain watcher, etc..</p>