Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Thanks.

I am reassured by that picture.

Ooof, can't unsee that now..

Though I've also seen the picture of the Kanzo on their website. A slammed stem with 10cm + drop from saddle to bars.

Reminds me of 90's MTB setups.

the kanzo has a tall headtube, like their fenix road frames, but the x-nights have flat top tube and short headtubes.
I had a focus mares like that too, the slammage was impossible but i grows on you.

Don’t know what frame you have, but I got an x-ride and just bought the equivalent size to my road bike and it’s perfect for me. You just have to go by the numbers I think rather than the generalised ‘size down’ mantra. I’ve found the same for TT bikes….

Hello, I also have the X Ride but I went for the size down..
Let's see what happens

They went on my bontrager carbon rims no problem. Must be a lucky tyre/rim combo. I get the feeling the stans grail rims on my pit bike may be tougher

Hey all, I’m gonna be racing my first ever CX race this weekend.

I’ve got a couple of tyre options and as a beginner not sure what way to go.

Current setup is tubeless 35c gravelkings that I use for general off-roading, but I also have a pair of 35c Panaracer Cinder X, which I’d need to run with tubes (don’t believe they are UST).

What would you go for - GKs tubeless or Cinder X tubed?

Thanks! :)

Cool! Which race / where are you riding? If it's been dry where you are and/or it's an early season race which they seem to put in lots of faster, flat grass sections (true?) then I would say definitely leave on the GKs as they'll prob get you around. No reason to mess around with uninstalling tubeless for 45/60 mins of riding, especially in your first race. If things have been wet and/or the course is described as technical then I would consider swapping to the Cinder X. Otherwise just enjoy your first race! Tyres / tyre pressure are what people talk lots about on here so as to avoid the fact that it's threshold suffering and bike handling that wins races, and neither of those can be purchased :)

Thank you! That’s really helpful.

It’s the Lancing Coombes Farm race near Brighton, not sure on the terrain. Will see if I can find out how technical it might be. Have a spare wheelset but would still need to swap rotors and cassette, so good to hear I should be okay sticking with the GKs. Main plan is to go and enjoy myself and turn myself inside out :)

Anyone else racing it? I’m down here so ride with Brighton Mitre.

The gridding and start area are then just above the car park area and on a gentle incline but don’t let that fool you, it gets a whole lot steeper. Straight climb up the valley with the incline increasing as you pass the finish line for the first time. Just beyond that are the Pits and then it gets steeper. But all hills end and as you get to the top of this one and turn left across the top of the valley, get your breath and take in the view. We actually thought about putting in an ice cream van hazard here but thought you probably wouldn’t want to stop, by the time you had queued and eaten it the race would be over. A bit of respite across a fairly flat plateau taking in a loop that brings you back to the top and the descent.
Imagine a snowboarding halfpipe but with grass and on bikes, you got it. A few tight off camber turns as you zig zag across the valley. You will get a second bite at the Pits as you descend , throw in a few planks for a dismount and possibly in and out of a spiral if we can fit it in as the valley flattens. Then it's back to the climb. Around 2.3 km, maybe a bit more if we can squeeze in a few more turns. Don’t say you were not warned!.

there's preview here: http://www.londonxleague.co.uk/round-one-2022-23-preview-coombes-farm/

sounds hilly

Thanks both. Feeling even more excited now.

See you there!

(not excited here, I hate hills...)

Cool! I'll be on a blue Condor in the V40 race

Can anyone shed any light on what's the level for the senior mens for this league? Contemplating a few races later in the year and I would expect to be a bit of a backmarker, which I dont have a problem with, unless I am the only one, lol!

If your local league is anything like mine. The range of riders will be massive. Proper beginners, to those who race at a national level. Then people like me in-between

You won’t be the only one. The great thing about cross is there’s always someone nearly as good as you so you always get to race someone.

Cool, that's what I was hoping for (having a range of other levels so you can find others to race against), thanks

Fuck me that was brutal. Needed a much lower gear but so did almost everyone else!

Ha... my first time and I loved it :)

Had an annoying RD mechanical after a shunt on the frst lap and my lack of technical skills cruelly exposed, but great fun.

Next one I can get to is the Pippingford on 18 Sept.

Photos here if anyone wants a laugh

https://www.davehaywardphotos.com/Cyclocross/LondonCX

I'm shitting myself about this season. It's going be horrendous isn't it. And, the western league is kicking of with my least favourite course.

First time I've seen the UCI website, it's poor, but there's nothing on the calendar for 2022-2023

It's not my favourite course.

A few of us are going to ride in circles in Netham Park tonight, I believe. From 1830. Welcome to join.