BikeRumor.com

For 2011, Fixie Inc has gone disc-brake-only with their Pure Blood cyclocross bike, and made a few changes to drop weight in the frame and fork over the 2010 model.

Visually, the biggest change (other than the bright yellow color) is the movement of the rear caliper to the inside of the triangle, mounting it on the chainstay rather than the seatstay. Cable routing now runs under the downtube with full length housing to the brakes, which runs through the fork and chainstay tubes.

Component spec is SRAM Force’s black groupset and blacked out parts throughout. Frame material is custom drawn 4130 steel and a steel DiscO fork.

More pics behind the jump…

(more…)

With Cyclocross season coming up shortly it would be a good idea to brush up on your skills–and going back to basics, 1900’s style, might be a good way to start. Check out this article “Advice For Friends of Cyclocross” by Eugène Christophe, printed originally in the Jan 20, 1921 issue of Le Miroir Des Sports, and reprinted in English by Joel Metz on his website Blackbirdsf.

Eugène Christophe won the French Cyclocross Championship six times between 1909-1914, and wrote this primer as a way to educate the cyclist in the handling of their bike, for Cyclocross (to paraphrase) is only dangerous for the clumsy and for the daredevils. Christophe also believed that Cyclocross was an excellent way for roadies to cross-train during the winter season and his advice was to be a sort of “physical education of the cyclist”. So, read it, and educate yourself. Plus, the photos are fantastic!

By the way, Joel has an extensive collection of early cycling information on his website, including an early history of the Bay City Wheelmen, Paris Courier racing in the late 1800’s early 1900’s, Pre-War Cyclocross, and information on various bikes and bike parts–including Jack Taylor cycles. If you’re in the Portland, OR, area, support Joel by using his messenger service, Magpie Messenger Collective.

Photo via Kaptain Amerika.

The 2011 Bianchi Cavaria Bike (which gets it’s name from the “1965 World’s course where Bianchi’s 5 time world’s cyclocross champion Renato Longo booked one of his many victories”) is available now with these components:

* Carbon Monocoque Frameset
* Carbon Fork (Alloy Steer)
* Shimano Ultegra Shifters and Derailleurs
* FSA Energy Cross Crankset
* Avid Shorty Cross Brakes
* Fulcrum 7 Wheelset
* Vittoria Cross XG Pro Tires

Color: Celeste
Sizes: 49,52,55,58 and 61cm
MSRP: $2,699.99

Click more for the Frameset photo and info.

(more…)

So far this week, you’ve seen the details on all of Felt’s Road and Mountain lines, and we’re rounding out this series with their Cyclocross, TRI/TT and Track lines. Of course, don’t forget that Felt also offers a great line of beach cruisers, cafe bikes and BMX bikes, so head over to their website to check those out as well. See the details on the race-ready F15X, pictured above, and the rest of today’s lines after the jump.

(more…)

USA Cycling announced that its Road, Track & Cyclo-cross Board of Trustees has voted in favor of several rule changes for the upcoming cyclo-cross season.

The new rules are in line with the UCI rulebook and will take effect at the beginning of the 2010/2011 cyclo-cross season. The changes accomplish the following three things:

1) Establish rules for cyclo-cross race feeding
2) Change the manner in which lapped riders are handled to enable the use of the 80% rule currently utilized in many mountain bike events, and
3) Modify the rules regarding course obstacles (barrier height, distance between, and total number of obstacles on the course)

A summary of the rule changes follows after the break…

(more…)

Masi’s new bikes are a spectacle of contrasts. On the one hand, you have this classic looking, double butted 8-speed cyclocross bike that looks to be a perfect commuter first, casual ‘cross racer second. It’s spec’d up with Shimano shifters and derailleurs, Kenda Small Block 8 ‘cross tires and a steel fork. Actually, it’s the same frame and fork as their 2010 Speciale road bike, just built up to occasionally own some grass and dirt. Retail is just $900.

Then you have the all-new carbon Evoluzione road bikes to look positively insane. Jump on past the break to see the other five color options and specs, deets, etc…

(more…)

2011 Kuota KOM Evo Clearcoat

Kuota is a brand that has been around for longer than most people think, but put one in front of someone and there is a good chance they’ll have a lot of questions. For some reason or another, Kuota still lacks the name recognition that some of the newer mostly carbon bike manufacturer’s, such as Blue, have been able to achieve in a relatively short time.

This may be due to the fact that Blue does an excellent job helping out grass roots teams with sponsorships and bikes, but it certainly isn’t due to Kuota having unattractive bikes. Kuota’s line of bikes are individually designed to perform best in a certain style of riding, with everything from TT bikes to Mountain climbers. As such, each frame boasts dramatically different construction to the point that almost every one of their bikes has a different seat post standard. Integrated post or mast systems are nothing new, and if a standard post still floats your boat the extremely light King Of the Mountain still rocks a standard seat post a la Specialized SL3.

Kuota incorporates an impressive amount of acronyms into nearly all of their frames starting with KSD the Kuota Super Drive tapered headset which was all 1 1/8th to 1 and 1/4, but is now being changed on the KOM to a 1 1/8th to a 1 1/2 taper. They also have their own acronyms for  nearly all facets of frame construction including optimized tube shaping dependent on frame size, BB30, laminate construction, and construction methods to advance rider comfort, which is all detailed on their site.

The lineup sees a few changes this year with a few bikes getting overhauled, but most bikes get small changes like headsets or bottom bracket standards. Basically more build options, more colors.

Full line up with pictures and details after the break.

(more…)

Castelli has just unveiled their new cyclocross skinsuit to make all your privateer dreams look totally pro and aerodynamic.

Both lycra and thermal versions will be available, and both are available in custom orders to get your team or self looking even more pro. Here’s the press release:

Based in the cross crazy northwest, Castelli America is rolling out a pair of one-piece performance racing and riding CX suits in time for the upcoming cross season. To match the widely varied weather cross racers often face, Castelli is offering the CX suits in a lightweight, high compression Lycra version with ¾-length sleeves and a more robust version skinsuit from Thermaflex fabric (fleece inside) with full sleeves. Both suits come as part of the Castelli Servizio Corse custom apparel program and can be delivered in as little as eight weeks. Pricing varies, but the Lycra version is available for as little as $125 while the Thermoflex model can be had for $145 and up.

“Castelli is a brand that’s always been about high performance and I think it’d be impossible for us to be any other way!” said Greg Cowan, CEO of Castelli America. “We offer the highest quality, best performing custom line in the world and the CX suits are definitely the premiere cross-specific, custom apparel available.”

Castelli CX suits feature a cross-specific cut that has longer body dimensions and additional shoulder room to accommodate the extra range of motion needed in cross racing, a slightly higher neck for protection from cool air, and a large, rubber zipper pull for easy operation even with numb hands or full fingered gloves. Every CX suit features Castelli’s KISS3 pad, which has low-volume padding for unrestricted movement while on or off the bike.

Both versions of the Castelli cyclo-cross suit can be ordered through Castelli’s Servizio Corse custom division with a quick, 8-week turnaround and a low, five-piece minimum order. For more information or to start the process of ordering custom cross suits, contact Rich Desmond at 503-222-3500 extension 23 or Rdesmond (at) castelli-us.com.

There’s not a ton of info here, but Kona’s offering to let you swing by one of their upcoming consumer demo events to check out the new bikes.  They won’t be at Interbike this year, so we’ll have to try to head on over to one of these ourselves. Shown above are a new 2011 29er Hei Hei mountain bike, the all-new Operator DH bike and the full carbon Major Jake cyclocross rig. Here’s the official word:

For 2011, we’ll be introducing 67 different bicycles designed to cover the entire two-wheeled spectrum. We’ve added new and fresh ideas by investing more in great people and cutting edge technology. It’s part of the process of completely re-inventing what Kona stands for. The results are our first carbon bikes, designed and built from the ground up, a completely new downhill/freeride platform, more Magic Link models, and a newly minted range of state-of-the-art electric assist bikes to complete our rapidly growing and multicultural fleet of commuter machines. A new era in cycling is emerging in our little bike company that could.

At our core, we want bicycles to do more. Inspiring people to explore the natural world. Allowing them to experience self-propelled velocity, from women who must travel 10 miles a day to fetch water, to those trying to forego car culture altogether. We want them to promote healthy lifestyles, no matter if you’re five, or 85. Most of all, we want the bicycle to bring people big, unabated, totally ridiculous fun.

Events are:

August 9-16: KonaWorld - Vancouver, BC
Sept. 30 - Oct. 3: Outerbike - Moab, UT
October 9-10: NEMBAFest - Bear Brook, NH

You can check out that carbon Major Jake in full, hi-res imagery on this post. Hit ‘more’ to see our attempt at blowing up the photo of that new downhill mountain bike up there…

(more…)

Ridley has updated their entire cyclocross line with updates from the top of the range X-Night above to the more wallet friendly alloy models.

With aspirations of gaining more retail footage, they’ll be offering all models as complete bikes as well as framesets, and price points are fairly attractive.

The full carbon X-Night remains their top offering, and for 2011 it gets new internal rear derailleur housing that hides the cable inside the seatstay and runs housing all the way to the derailleur to keep mud off the wire. It’ll be offered in the white shown above as well as World Cup colors honoring sponsored Czech rider Zdenek Stybar. For $3,995, you’ll get the SRAM Red equipped bike shown with Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels and Avid Shorty Ultimates. A frameset is also available.

For more photos of the X-Night and the rest of Ridley’s 2011 ‘cross lineup, hit ‘more’…

(more…)

Van Dessel’s new carbon Full Tilt Boogie cyclocross racer is fresh outta the oven and starting to ship into their warehouse. Above is the first look at a full production frame. Below, words directly from their keyboard:

FROM VD: The Full Tilt Boogie is designed as a race-day frameset with emphasis on low weight, power transfer, precise handling, and compliance.  Geometry is identical to that of the Gin & Trombones (=low BB).

Actual frame weight is 1250gr (56cm).  While this may not be the lightest frame weight being touted, we have reinforced specific areas of the frame (like areas of top tube where bars can hit), and in general take a bit more of a ‘better safe than sorry’ approach as far as pushing the extreme of gram shaving.  Especially in ‘cross, where an extra ounce of control and reliability often means more at the end of the day than shedding every last possible gram.  Our testing showed that using some extra material in the right places was well worth the ‘penalty’ as far as handling and reliability/durability is concerned.

Our 1.5″ tapered fork used on both the new Full Tilt Boogie and Gin & Trombones is 480gr (un-cut, actual weight).  Our fork handles brake shudder exceptionally well, but the forks do also have a front “brake” hole in the crown so that one could use a fork-mounted brake cable-stop to guarantee the complete elimination of any shudder issues. Likewise, with 340 gram claimed fork weights being thrown about, our own testing and development showed that while possible, dropping fork weight did not equal a better fork.

The Full Tilt Boogie promises to be fast, confidence inspiring, reliable, light, and sexy.  It will be ridden this season by riders such as Adam Myerson, Jeff Bahnson, and Bill Elliston, with Jeff and Bill heading up our own Van Dessel Factory Team.

We will be on hand with demo bikes and team trailer at most regional/national east coast races, as well as select events such as the Louisville and Ft Collins USGPs, Nationals, and ‘Cross Vegas.

Updated pricing and build kits for the Full Tilt Boogie is after the break along with a photo of the fork and some thoughts on disc brakes on ‘cross bikes…

(more…)

Looking to get your little monster into cyclocross and teach him or her the value of hard, cold, dirty work for the glory and reward of a well deserved beer Capri-Sun?

Pro-Lite is close to having their kid’s version of The One ‘cross bike with 650b wheels ready to roll into production. They shot over a few “spy” photos from the build up in their studio, but few details. The other photo’s after the break…

(more…)

Redline Bicycles and Seattle Bike Supply (Redline’s US Distributor), are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall some 330 Redline Conquest Cyclocross frames and complete bikes.

The recall actually has nothing to do with the frame, but rather the forks that were included with the sale of the frame of bike. According to Redline, the fork legs can detach from the fork crown obviously causing a loss of control or crash. Currently SBS has only received 5 reports of cracks appearing near the fork crowns, and no injuries were reported.

Apparently the recall only affects the 2010 Conquest model sizes 44cm to 60cm, and only in the yellow and black paint scheme pictured above. The bikes or frames were sold at specialty bicycle retailers from July 2009 to May 2010.

Consumers that have an affected model are instructed to return the frame or bike to a Redline retailer to receive a free fork replacement.

If you have any questions about the recall, visit their website.

Rapha and Focus are sponsoring two up and coming U.S. ‘cross racers, and they’ll be getting this oh-so-hot kit that’s very reminiscent of that oh-so-hot Speedvagen cyclocross bike Vanilla was showing at the NAHBS earlier this year.

PRESS RELEASE: In a joint effort to support cyclo-cross racing here in the United States, FOCUS Bicycles USA and Rapha will be funding a professional cross squad for the 2010/2011 season. Dubbed the Rapha-Focus team, the outfit will consist of cross upstart Chris Jones of Auburn, California and U23 standout Zach McDonald of Seattle, Washington. The team will be outfitted with custom Rapha apparel and FOCUS Mares AX-1 bikes. FOCUS will also provide a support van and race mechanic for the riders.

Last season, Jones finished second in the season-opening Cross Vegas event and followed that with a series of solid performances at national-level races. McDonald, Junior Elite National Champ in 2009 and a podium finisher in a UCI World Cup, looks to impose his will on the U23 field. Both athletes will race US and International schedules and will look for peak form around the American National and UCI World Championships.

Read the rest, and check out the long-sleeve kit, after the break…

(more…)

The Kinesis CrossLight CSix2, as built by Dom Mason during testing.

Kinesis will start shipping its new CrossLight CSix2 cyclocross bike in August. The frame is full carbon monocoque and designed around input from UK National Champ Jody Crawforth and Stu Wearmouth, who placed 3rd in their ‘09-’10 National Trophy Series.

The new model promises to be lighter and stronger than its Italian-made predecessor, with an octagonal downtube with a layup designed to reduce torsion. The top tube is designed for comfortable shouldering, and thin wishbone seatstays should soak up some of those grassy lumps.

It’ll be sold as a frameset with frame, fork, headset, brake guide, cable pulley and seat clamp for £999.99. Frame weight is 1000g (54cm) and fork is 480g. Four sizes will be offered. It’s available in the Tech Blue shown above and Tech White shown after the break (with more links)…

(more…)