Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Waterloo looks kinda savage

Glad that’s not my park.

Far fewer punctures than Frylands today.

Puncturing at Frylands is mandatory.

I've done it wrong.

Enjoyed your beautiful ode to frylands on the group.

Ha!

Drivetrain question...

What are the respective advantages and disadvantages of 1x vs 2x for cross?

I'm currently running SRAM Rival 22 on my cross bike, because that's what it came with, but I don't think I've ever used the large chainring and certainly never used it during cross. Also, during a pretty muddy race at Palmer Park this weekend I felt that the FD was acting as a mud catcher and contributed to my rear wheel seizing up at one point... I'm therefore thinking of dropping down to 1x. Will I regret it?

no, I don't think so. I never missed it. For most cross courses I've ridden I don't think that a wide range of gears is that necessary and I've definitely never felt the need to shift chainrings.

I just thought: I have some cogs and dicta freewheels do you want me to bring them to herne hill?
F R E E

I'm actually ok for bike crap/stuff right, I'm up to my ears in it...

Unless the dicta is a 19t or above.

Thanks for the offer though.

In that case... if I go 1x, what do I do about chain retention?

I currently have a regular Rival derailleur (no clutch) and I won't be replacing it until it breaks. Running 2x gives me multiple options to stop my chain falling off, including an outer chainring, a FD and my bike has in inner chain keeper/bash guard attached to the BB shell (pic).

If I go 1x, I'll get a NW chainring but is it better to run my existing bash guard/inner chain keeper with an outer guard like this... sort of like a blunt outer chainring. Or just a simple downtube mounted keeper like this (a version of which I use on my TT bike)?

1 Attachment

if you're not going to get a clutched mech then don't go 1x - the chain just won't stay on

Bike crap. HOW DARE YOU IMPLY THAT I JUST FOUND THIS TREASURE TROVE OF NOS SHIT AND WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

Nah, freewheel is probably a 17/18.

I've never had a clutched rear mech and it's been fine, getting the chain length right is key. I think I got the set up info on the absolute black website. You can increase the spring tension on Shimano rear mechs which makes a big difference. I think SRAM rear mech already are already set up with a high tension

I’ve been running 1 x for cross for the past 5 years without a clutched mech. I’ve had the odd chain drop but mainly when it’s really, really muddy.

A narrow/wide chainring is essential though.

Can only echo the no clutch mech no drop unless muddy.

I stand corrected, said the man with the clutched mech

I might not be riding as hard though?
I didn't do any mechanic stuff on my set up, so I have no idea what or how it works other than 105 levers and mech and narrow wide.

Masters Worlds to be held in Ipswich in 2021 and 2022;

https://www.cxmagazine.com/2021-2022-cyclocross-masters-worlds-ipswich-suffolk-england

Masters Worlds to be held in Ipswich in 2021 and 2022;

https://www.cxmagazine.com/2021-2022-cyclocross-masters-worlds-ipswich-suffolk-england

a very tight race currently in the women's at Meulebeke, with Anna Kay currently leading

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsQ_umCfq54

Good race! Worst didn't seem to have much at the end there.

Is there a cross racing bike that lets you swap in a pair of road wheels to use it for audax AND has proper mudguard/rack mounts AND is not a horrible compromise? I suspect not.

Trying to reduce the number of unused bikes in my garage.

Some of the more racy gravel bikes might fit the bill.

Planetx xla has mudguard mounts.
I've used it with mudguards and bug tyres and 1*10.