3 CX Bikes for Tearing Through the Mud
Zoom from start to finish with one of these race whips
Zoom from start to finish with one of these race whips
Trek Crockett 5 Disc $2,800
Trek tunes the tube shapes of the Crockett with the hydroforming technique. Liquid and high pressure manipulate the aluminum so that the company can build fast frames that are also a pleasure to ride. The size 56 frame has a claimed weight of 1,325 g. The new Crockett 5 Disc sees a few upgrades compared with the previous year’s model, including hydraulic disc brakes. It comes with race-ready 32c Bontrager CX3 Team Issue tires for muddy courses, but can run tires as wide as 38c, if you want to add a bit for squish and take the machine on a gravel rip. sram Rival parts and a 40-tooth Praxis Alba M30 crankset – run through a threaded T47 bottom bracket – make up the drivetrain. (trekbikes.com)
Basso Palta $3,500 (frameset)
Basso’s Palta is at home both on the cyclocross course, as well as on gravel trips. The carbon-fibre layup of the frame is dialed to give excellent stiffness, maximizing power transfer. There are also features to make you a little more comfortable, such as the vibration damping abilities of the seatpost. A 33c cyclocross tire can sit within the fork or stays easily, so can a 42c gravel tire. You can move quickly over whatever rough surface you choose. (bassobikes.com)
Specialized Crux Expert $5,639
The Specialized Crux Expert looks like Pan Am and national CX champ Maghalie Rochette’s bike. She rocked this paint scheme throughout the 2018–19 season, however, it was on an S-works level frame. Still, the carbon-fibre Crux Expert has some top-notch features, such as carbon Roval C 38 Disc wheels. The 40-tooth Praxis Wave Tech chainring works with a 11-32 tooth SRAM PG-1130 cassette to help you power along straights and get over rises. A SRAM Force 1 derailleur moves the chain from cog to cog. On course, Rochette herself is pretty light on the brakes to maintain speed. If you need to stop your Crux Expert, the SRAM Force hydraulic disc brakes work in a hurry. (specialized.com)—mp