Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Hmmmmm. I might race

You should. They are probably the best events of the season, with loads of spectators and a really good atmosphere.

Yeah I did a few rounds about 4 years ago and enjoyed it. The same summer I had a bad accident and haven't raced since.
I'll still need a license though right?

I’ve got some Terreno Drys in size 35c x 700, they’re also marked as 37-622.

1. For the early season races and Summercross, is there any point swapping to 33c? I’m not looking to go faster/lower rolling resistance, better control/cornering is what I need.
   
2. Does anyone know why the 35c tyres are marked as 37-622? They certainly inflate wider than 35mm
   

The cyclocross tyre rule only applies to UCI ranked races, which in the UK is predominantly National Trophy Elite and Junior races, and the National Championships in the same four categories. So if you want to run 35c (or larger) for Summercross, it's not a problem and I very much doubt you'll notice any real difference in performance.

On the second point, I've no idea, but Vittoria don't do a 37c width Terreno Dry, so it's either a 35c or a 38c.

Does anyone know why the 35c tyres are marked as 37-622? They certainly inflate wider than 35mm

All terreno tyres come up wider in my experience and real measurements are closer to the ETRTO figures (depending on rim inner width). The 38c come up to 40mm I think.

I ride 33c mix in winter and 35c dry in summer, I don't race mind you, but the increase in volume is the biggest benefit there when the ground is hard and rutted, allowing lower pressure and more control, considering going to 38c at the front this summer.

I would assume cornering and control are slightly sharper with narrower tyres where the casing deforms less, assuming all other parameters are the same. So much of a muchness of a response, I suppose you need to find what works best for you (rider weight/tyre pressure might be the biggest factor)

I rode 38c wets in the mud on a 2015 crux at Herne Hill in January.
There was no mud clearance. But I went faster than normal until the mud fucked it all up.

Any energie evo owners crc/wiggle are clearing out the spares but mostly sold out. I've just ordered a couple of the integrated seat clamps for 99p just in case I fuck a bolt and these dissappear forever @Ifonlyiwerebelgian
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-energie-evo-integrated-seat-clamp

Nice one! The whole situation is so shit!

Wanted:
a pair of vittoria wets in 33c pls
what's the cheapest option out there?

(38s I have on my crux are great but zero mud clearance)

Fawkes or Tweeks are usually cheapest for Vittoria.

muchos

I have an Olympic triathlon October 26th. Wonder how that fitness transfers straight into cross races…

Anyone been stupid enough to do it?

Very well in my experience, although I never did a triathlon in October, way too cold.

Go abroad. Warmth…

Perfect at the minute I’m racing it on a cross bike.

Since they banned river crossings in cross, there’s very little need for swimming fitness. Otherwise you should be good.

Swimming is pish anyway.

We spent millions of years evolving to escape the water. I’ve never understood the rush to get back in it.

That’s how my stroke feels. I’m in a losing fist fight with the sea.

Fun though innit.

Did you manage to order any seat clamp bolts for your vitus ? I ordered a couple over a week ago and my account says order processing but these and the cross tyres I order as out of stock now

Nope. I meant to but totally forgot. Fingers crossed yours turn up

If they did make it into the box before they sold out and it's some of the other items that are out of stock causing the delay you can have one of mine 🤞

Honestly didn't expect these to arrive. Do you want one? Even I shouldn't manage to round out 2 bolts

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It's not cyclocross, but I raced the Battle on the Beach in south Wales today and would strongly recommend it. The winds were wild, but it was cross/tailwind up the coast, and cross/headwind back, so you hooned it up, then grovelled back in badly organised echelons. It's normally a three lap race, but because of the wind and the waterlogged forest, it was reduced to two.

The forest section was incredibly wet, so they had to cut out sections of it, but you still had to ford at least four large areas of standing water a lap. Loads of people were riding through, but I ran after seeing two people fall off in the very first one on the opening lap. I hate to think what all that brackish water did to people's hubs and bottom brackets.

It was enormous fun though, a race unlike anything else in the UK that I'm aware of, and great to do if you're ever inspired by races like Koksijde and Zonhoven.

My bike afterwards, note the jaunty saddle angle.

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