Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Oh dear. TBH you were probably better off that happening en route, rather than whilst you were there (which it almost certainly would've done!)

After Sunday, I'm looking to pick up an alloy tubular wheelset. Are these decent:

http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Wheels/Cyclo-Cross/CXT-Tubular

Can anyone recommend anything? I'll take second hand as well. Need Shimano 11 speed freehub.

@George_Sportif your build looked great. Dave Hayward got some good shots of your epic color clashes.

Seems a bit pricey. 2x[TB25(http://hubjub.co.uk/index.php/store/rims/kinlin-tb25-detail) for £60, £40 on spokes, £60 on a pair of Novatec hubs, £40 to build?

Disc hubs: shimano or novatec?

I'm keen to get my wheels sorted on the pompetamine...

Nothing wrong with falling off in a muddy race, it shows you're trying.

@Chalfie - thru-axle or QR, 6-bolt or centerlock?

Don't blind him with science.

not sure i need thru axle, I was going to go with 6 bolt (as I'm not sure there's any benefit - I don't have a clue).

It'll be first set of discs, I'm contemplating moving the CAADX on for next year and getting a disc frame. But $£$£$£.
I'd like to make a fairly sensible choice that'll work across both bikes (pompetamine and whatever next year).

^
basically, what Andy sed.

You need QR and I'd go for 6 bolt rather than centre lock.

Do Shimano MTB hubs have sealed cartridge bearings? If not then I'd get the Novatecs. Some of their range can be switched between QR and thru axle which will future proof you to an extent.

I've been running two wheel sets with Novatec hubs for 18 months and have had no hub related issues, despite plenty of abuse.

Novatec 771/772 combo FTW:

http://www.bdopcycling.com/Hubs-D771SB.asp
http://www.bdopcycling.com/Hubs-D772SB-11.asp

Captures yesterday perfectly...

Cheers, that's about what I was thinking.

Do Shimano MTB hubs have sealed cartridge bearings?

No. But their sealing is actually very good. If you are careful with them, they'll outlast the sealed bearings in most hubs by some margin.

Obviously if you aren't careful with them then you'll toast them and need to replace the entire hub.

Novatecs are nice, but some of their hubs use sealed bearings of an unusual size, making them very pricey to replace, relative to the cost of a new hub.

FWIW Superstar Switch hubs are rebranded Novatecs. So a fair choice if you don't mind their branding and a 32H build.

Great shot - where is it from?

Huw's flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/huwspics/sets/72157660998140615

Checking in for my annual dose of CX, once again signed up for novice/fun at the supercross.

Only today did it dawn on me that there's to be no mud etc, organisers recommending a "file tread" tyre profile.

This is all quite odd

Brilliant haha

Just realised, there's no footscray round in the programme this year - what's up with that? Gemini decided not to host this year, or issue with the council?

This is all quite odd

Probably gonna wear my full face lid and body armour

Serious or jokes? I'm getting really nervous now.

Cost to hire the venue I believe.

I think any council owned venue will cost more in the coming years, as cuts to their funding mean they have to raise revenue from other sources, cf. the massive increase in the fee to close White Lane for the Bec hill climb.

So I can blame the Tories?

True. It was only a 5 mile walk home from there as opposed to a 15!