Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

Ah I see, that one doesn't have the clutch mechanism?

I thought only the Shadow + and up have the roller clutch. It would be freakin' awesome if the Zee S+ mech worked with road shifters, but alas, it does not.

Am i right in thinking that MTB mechs have a higher spring tension anyway, so it will do a better job of stopping things bouncing around than a road mech?

Shadow is a reference to the lower profile which is less likely to get bashed if you stack it. They are probably a bit porkier than their road brethren for durability. No idea about spring tension - I wouldn't be surprised if they are a bit stiffer than road, but I wouldn't imagine they would be siff enough to stop a chain from being dropped; roller clutch mechs kinda have an 'infinately stiff' spring until you hit the shift lever.

This is news to me so yeah I've not changed it. I'm intrigued though.

I've been running a 105 rear mech with a single ring setup in all sorts of conditions, and have yet to lose the chain.

I'm using the Absolute Black chainring, but it's a 42 and I'll need a lower one for the winter. Has anyone been using the Superstar one, or shall I bite the bullet and get another AB one?

I've got the superstar one.
Survived Canterbury.

Unlike your inner tubes.

I've upgraded to latex tubes this month. I plan on sorting tubeless out later this month...

That is good to hear. Just been to the pub with a Superstar. First bike I ever built from scratch. Headset a bit wobbly, no rear brakes yet and stuck in the highest gear.

1 Attachment

The guy from Ripley Castle CX has tweeted about running an SSCX comp within the races. I reckon this is something worth getting behind. He even liked the suggestion of an unofficial SSCX National Champs.

I reckon there would be a fair few worth contenders for that title from the London League. Anyone interested?

Temple Newsome up in fucking horrible Leeds. Not a bad course but it is in Leeds.

A couple of long fast straights which were fun but tiring on SS, a vicious double rut on a cambered turn. Some fun dives and climbs and hairpins on an assortment of gravel and pine needles. Not a bad SS course but not brilliant. I was troubled on two climbs. One was a grass bank that was worn to loose, slippy mud at the top and I just couldn't ride out the top of it. The other was loose sand, gravel and dirt that was too steep to climb in the gear I was in. So glad of the fell running practice to get me up those.

I managed to get my first CX fall out of the way today. Tried to chop a tree rooty corner so that I could give space to a lapping rider and ended up hanging up the front wheel. No major damage and managed to get going again as soon as I straightened the hoods although was a little winded.

The winner of the race could clearly be seen cheating on account of being Graham Briggs. Last time I went up against him, at the Monsal Hill Climb (which was also running today) he didn't cheat enough as he was beaten by other riders so at least he's learnt his lesson. I'm maintaining my "not last" status as the league continues.

Watching the vets and women's race afterwards, a rider attempted to overtake for third position at the evil double rut, tried to jump them but stuffed the landing, bounced through the tape and crashed into a parked car. Twas impressive, many people lol'd

Good race at Herne Hill today, didn't notice the call to start so ended up right at the back, sort of fun trying to move up through.

Anyone work out the perfect line for the steep climb? Couldn't get it right!

Saw that beauty of a saddle going round @fussballclub !

Pics and results up in record time (unless you're a v/w)!

Herne Hill was brutal as always. The only line to ride the big hill was on the right but you also needed to make sure there was no one running in front blocking it which didn't happen very often with such large amount of riders.

The heckling Brixton CC at the planks made my day!

They caused three people to face plant by bullying them into a bunny hop, bastards.

Very very enjoyable; brilliant organisation. Thank you.

Steep learning curve went from walking? those sleepers to you can overtake here! to oops, that might have been a bit reckless, rear wheel puncture on lap five.

Latex tubes!

Tubeless

That course looks really dry!

Yeah, it's a problem with the constant shift of the start of the season earlier every year. Looking like proper CX weather for next week.

Mind you, that slope looks like it sorts the fell runners from the casuals.

It gains a heady 20 feet. The remount on the downhill afterwards really separates the committed and the casuals. I gained two places on the last lap there due to two comedy remounts.

There's no such thing as proper cross weather, imagine that bank was a Koksijde dune :-)

Loved the crowd at the hill.

I managed to ride that hill with a clear run at it warming up reasonably easily so I figured I should be able to do it at race pace but failed three times, ending with a undignified still on the bike but two feet down scrabble up the last metre or two. Gave up after that.

I'll probable be driving down from Highbury to the round on Sunday if anyone needs a lift.

That would be marvellous but are you going to be there for the vets start?