The Future of Cyclocross is Disc?

After spending an entire summer longing for cyclocross season to come, I'm finally getting close.  This has been an interesting year too, with all of the new technology coming and the UCI now allowing disc wheels.

But this got me thinking, what's really the benefit of discs?  They aren't light, in fact they weigh quite a bit more.  I'd guess a disc wheel could resist sand buildup that a shallow rim could accumulate, but does that make up for the weight?

Let's get past the weight issue and move on to durability.  If a disc wheel can get a hole punched into it in a wheel bag, how is it supposed to stand up to a mass-start race where crashes are inevitable?  This one already has a hole in it, and the season hasn't even started!

And what's this about improved braking?  I don't claim to be a plastics expert, but this braking seems like it'll be the same as any other carbon wheel.  I've heard claims of better braking in adverse conditions, but I'm just not buying.

This particular disc does have dimples, but aerodynamics don't really matter in cyclocross.  The braking isn't going to be better on a disc wheel than any other carbon wheel.  Disc wheels are heavy.

After much thought I think I'm going to skip disc wheels for cyclocross.  I don't get all of the hype....

Cyclocross is Around the Corner...

Time to get geared up, or maybe cut down to one gear.  Whatever your taste may be, come see us.  We've stocked up on Felt F75x bikes with Shimano 105, F65x bikes with SRAM Apex and DISC BRAKES (!!), and we have a few Breed single speed bikes as well....

Check back over the weekend for something special for those who follow the blog.  There will be a message coming sometime in the next 48 hours that will only be posted for a few hours.  If you get a chance to see it, print it and bring it in!

This just in...

Our very first Felt F65x!  This is Felt's first foray into disc brakes on a CX bike, though we're told just the beginning.

The finish is beautifully done, the matte black/white/silver works really well on this bike.  The frame is alloy and virtually identical to that of the F55x, albeit with a rear disc mount.  Spacing on the rear is a very smart 135mm, so any disc 29er wheels are ready to slot in.

The fork on the other hand is all new for Felt.  It's a near-full-carbon fork, with a carbon steerer, the only alloy being found in the dropouts.  If this is anything like Felt's other forks, expect it to be quite stiff.  It's tapered from 1-1/8" to 1-1/2".

The drivetrain consists of SRAM Apex shifters, Rival derailleurs, a SRAM alloy S300 BB30 crankset with 46/38 chainrings, a SRAM chain and 11-28 cassette.

 

Rounding out the kit are Ashima rotors, a Felt Devox cockpit, and Felt CXR3 wheels.  We're mostly curious how the rotors and wheels will do.  The lightweight rotors are LIGHT, and the wheels are 24 hole laced 2x front and 28h 2x rear.

2013 Ridley Cyclocross

It seems strange to be looking forward to fall of 2012 in the middle of February.  And with this mild winter we've had, you'd think summer would be the only thing on my mind.

After spending the weekend at Frostbike, though, Ridley has firmly placed themselves at the forefront of my cyclocross-based mindset.  Check out a brief overview of the models they have coming to Iron Cycles around July.

DISC!  Yes, disc.  They are coming.  And we'll have them.