Cyclocross Gear for the Pro and the Jo(e)
8 things that will get you spinning on the CX course
8 things that will get you spinning on the CX course
PRO The Hunt 30 Carbon Gravel Disc ($1,439, huntbikewheels.cc) are a set of versatile hoops that you can roll through the mud and sand of a CX course, and take on gravel adventures. Their claimed weight is 1,479 g. You can fit tubeless tires on the 27-mm-wide rims. JO(E) Sure, carbon is king, but aluminum is always awesome. The Easton EA90 SL Disc wheels ($1,195, eastoncycling.com), with their 19.5-mm-wide internal rim width (24-mm external), are durable and fast. On the rear wheel, the Vault hub has large bearings set well apart, a design that makes the hub strong. At a claimed 1,540 g, the set really doesn’t weigh that much.
PRO Dugast Small Bird ($130, thecyclery.ca) is a top-end tubular tire for slippery courses that don’t have deep mud. The soft, outer knobs are double the height of the ones at run in the middle. This setup means the tires roll and corner well. Ottawa’s The Cyclery is the country’s importer and dealer of the Netherlands-based brand. JO(E) The Maxxis Raze ($76, maxxis.com) clincher tire uses a soft compound so its knobs, which form a pronounced centre ridge, grip well, even in snow. If there’s any sharp stuff littered on the ground, the Silkworm protection under the tread will work to keep the tube safe.
PRO The Silca Superpista digital floor pump ($375, silca.cc) has classic features by the Italy-based brand, such as its leatherpiston cup washer, brass check valve and wooden handle. There’s also the modern digital gauge. It’s accurate to one per cent across the pump’s range, from 5 p.s.i. to 220 p.s.i. You’ll be able to get your tire pressure exactly right. JO(E) Yes, even though the brand is PRO, the PRO Floorpump Team Tubeless ($170, pro-bikegear.com) is for everyone who needs to get a tubeless tire on a rim. You can pump 160 p.s.i. into the canister, and then let ’er rip to get the tire seated.
PRO The Publican House Pub House ale ($3.15, publicanhouse.com) gets a pro rating because it’s brewed in Peterborough, Ont., the location of this year’s national CX championships. Top riders and spectators can enjoy the Kolsch-style beer after competition. It won gold at the 2018 Canadian Brewing Awards. JO(E) Side Launch Brewing Company from Collingwood, Ont., supports many cycling events, from rides to festivals. The Side Launch Midnight lager ($3.35, sidelaunchbrewing.com) has notes of coffee bean and chocolate, perfect for après-ride in the fall.— MP