#cross-bike

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2021 Philly Bike Expo: Jubilee Manufacturing Cyclocross Bike

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2021 Philly Bike Expo: Jubilee Manufacturing Cyclocross Bike

The Philly Bike Expo often has a good mix of seasoned builders and others that are beginning to hone their craft. Sam Scipio just started building frames earlier this year under the moniker Jubilee Manufacturing and already had a beautiful cyclocross bike (her second build) ready to show off at the Expo. Today, accompanying Jarrod Bunk‘s detailed photos, Sam talks about her bike and why she’s inspired to be building frames.

2021 Philly Bike Expo: Amigo Frameworks Bug Out Gravel Bike

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2021 Philly Bike Expo: Amigo Frameworks Bug Out Gravel Bike

Zach Small’s Amigo Frameworks in Nashville, TN recently announced a preorder for the new uber-adaptable Bug Out gravel bike. Featuring the ability to run one speed or twelve, flat bars or drops, adjustable headtube angle, modifiable wheelbase, and room for up to 700 x 50c tires, the Bug Out is designed to handle pretty much anything thrown at it. Zach had one built-up and on display at this year’s Philly Bike Expo where we were able to take an up-close and detailed look.

Ignite’s New Made in the USA CNC Catalyst and Inferno Cranks

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Ignite’s New Made in the USA CNC Catalyst and Inferno Cranks

Ignite Components designs, tests, and manufacturers its cranks in-house here in the USA. Allamuchy, New Jersey to be exact. At this year’s Philly Bike Expo Ignite unveiled its two crank models: Catalyst MTB cranks (pictured) and Inferno Road cranks. These cranks are CNC’d in house and come in 155-175mm lengths, a plethora of custom anodizing or cerakote color options, and have a lifetime warranty. The Catalyst mountain cranks are shipping now and the Inferno road cranks are currently available as a pre-order. Head to Ignite Components for more!

A Look at the New VYNL Bikes: /rd rim – Rim Brake Road Bike and /gr Disc Gravel Bike

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A Look at the New VYNL Bikes: /rd rim – Rim Brake Road Bike and /gr Disc Gravel Bike

Last year marked a sea change for the cycling industry. On one hand, cycling saw a boom with many companies shifting to a work from home model, and employees looking for a new outdoor hobby to spend their free time. On the other, supply chain shortages ran rampant throughout the industry and suddenly the supply couldn’t meet the demand. Depending on who you talk to, parts shortages happened for a number of reasons but the bottom line is if you have the ability to sell bikes, or even frames in 2021, consider yourself lucky.

Before the pandemic, Sabrina and Max Clauson wanted a change of pace from their normal day-to-day lives so they purchased VYNL Bikes. Now they’re running it as a passion project from their home in Boulder, Colorado. While I was in town earlier this year, I swung by their house to take a look at the new VYNL brand and to shoot Max’s /rd Rim brake bike along with Sabrina’s /gr Disc Gravel bike. These no-nonsense machines come in stock geometry, have the option for custom paint, are made in the USA, and are perfect for a rider looking for a straight-up utilitarian bike for pavement or gravel.

Let’s take a look at these two builds below…

All-City’s New Nature Cross Single Speed

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All-City’s New Nature Cross Single Speed

Built from All-City’s proprietary A.C.E. steel tubing, the Nature Cross Single Speed is an option for a light, fast, and to be honest, good lookin’ SSCX bike for this season. These complete bikes ($2,299) and framesets ($1,499) come with an eccentric bottom bracket for easy gear swaps and for 2022 the Nature Cross comes in an ombré fade “Pink Lemonade” paint scheme. Check out all the details at All-City.

Ben Frederick’s Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc and Love Your Brain

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Ben Frederick’s Ritchey Swiss Cross Disc and Love Your Brain

I was introduced to Ben Frederick by my predecessor at Ritchey, Sean Coffey, in the summer of 2015. “Get a load of this kid,” he said while showing me what appeared to be someone not only racing the pro/UCI cross field on a cantilevered steel bike but easily on the podium of these races as well. The iconic red of the Ritchey Swiss Cross sticking out amongst the sea of carbon contenders dressed in every color but that made it easy to spot him moving up through the field. “We’re sponsoring him now,” Sean said, and possibly the easiest introduction to a  soon-to-be friend as I’ve ever had.

Speedvagen Ready Made CX Team Edition Framesets

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Speedvagen Ready Made CX Team Edition Framesets

After a year off from racing, everyone is more stoked than ever to say #crossiscoming. Over at Speedvagen, they’re so excited that for the first time they are offering Ready Made Cyclocross Team Editions as Frame-sets only. This is in part due to the supply shortages plaguing the industry.

Cyclocross was the beginning of Speedvagen and cross bikes are still among their favorite bikes. Light and nimble, ready to get rowdy. Not over-built like most “gravel” bikes today. A pure cross bike is something magical. Sacha has always said if he had to pick a bike for the apocalypse it would be a single-speed cyclocross bike.

THE RMCXTED Frameset Specs:
-Two Super Sparkly Paint Schemes, New for 2021 Team Blue or our traditional Team White
-Stock sizing 50-58cm
-Enve CX Fork
-Enve Post Head
-Enve Stem
-PF30 or T47 shell (single speed or geared)
-Turn around time 5-6 mo
-Deposit $1000 (deducted from the total price)

All-City Renames Two ‘Cross Staples: Nature Cross Geared and Singlespeed

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All-City Renames Two ‘Cross Staples: Nature Cross Geared and Singlespeed

In an effort to make their lineup feel more inclusive, All-City has made the move to rename their “Nature Boy” racing frames to “Nature Cross”. These two models will replace the Macho King A.C.E. and Nature Boy bikes. Both of these “new” models feature All-City’s proprietary air-hardened, custom-extruded A.C.E. steel tubing that we developed specifically for riding and racing.

With new paint designs, these stylish machines are rolling on one of the lightest steel production frames in the world and can be used for more than just racing laps. The Nature Cross Singlespeed comes in a blue fade, while the Nature Cross Geared comes in a red, white, and blue splatter fade.

Sarah Sturm Journal

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Sarah Sturm Journal

One of our favorite personalities in the cycling industry has a space on one of our favorite brand’s blogs! Sarah Sturm has a great little read up about the pandemic and what riding means to her. Be sure to check this one out and if you missed it, our Highway 50 Nevada MTB trip features some excellent shots of Sarah ripping that Nevada dust as well!

“We have in front of us a chunk of time. We have a global pause. There are no races, there are no events, there are no parties or gatherings or high fives. We have busy minds and bored bodies and there isn’t an exact day that we can mark on our planners when “this will all be over”. Nope. The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. And we’re getting sick of seeing that phrase plastered all over the media. Yes, we know, things are uncertain right now and saying it over and over doesn’t seem to help.”

Continue reading this piece at Tenspeed Hero!

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Wahoo Disciplines Episode 1: Cross is Boss

Can you beat the excitement of a muddy and fast ‘cross race? In this episode of Wahoo Disciplines, we follow Tom Pidcock and the Trinity Racing Team at the British National Cyclocross Championships. This will be a three-episode series with a final long-form film at the end…

Flowers for Rita: The Positive Power of Persistence

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Flowers for Rita: The Positive Power of Persistence

Dearest Readers,

If you’ve followed the reporting for the last three years on this Cyclocross Pilgrimage to the Motherland, you will have read plenty of tales of struggling, suffering, and the general beat downs of European race life. I’m not here to make excuses or polish turds. I’m here to tell it to you like it is. To keep it real. Thus I’ve written more than 30 articles bringing you along for my weekly whoopings in all their self-deprecating glory because that’s the truth. That’s the reality. That’s the story. 

And now, dearest readers, I finally have a happy tale to tell. Though it feels an odd one to write, and I cringe at potentially walking the fine line of self-aggrandizing douche. But I try to consider the context. This is the first time in over 30 deadlines that I’ve managed a meaningful achievement. This too is just part of the ride. The reality. The story. And it’s the kind I might not get to write again for another three years, or for that matter, ever again…

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All-City Announces the Super Professional City Bike

The newest bike from All-City is dubbed the Super Professional. It’s a flat bar, zippy bike, inspired by All-City’s ‘cross bikes but updated for urban laps. This new platform features the Master Dropout, their first-ever combination geared or single-speed sliding dropout system, the Super Professional can be converted from single-speed to geared at the turn of a few bolts. It’s available as a geared ($1599) or singlespeed ($1299) option and even a frameset ($850). Other details include a fancy fork crown, internal dropper routing, and loud paint options. The Super Professional comes geared or singlespeed. Check out detailed photos below and more information at All-City!

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A CX Nats Video

Here’s a fun recap video from USA Cycling’s Cyclocross National Championships at Fort Steilacoom Park…

Start Where You Are: Fundraising Through Fun Racing with Leave It On The Road

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Start Where You Are: Fundraising Through Fun Racing with Leave It On The Road

My friend Rebecca Gates once told me, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” She quickly admitted that this piece of wisdom came from tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Since then it has been at the top of my mind. There is power in this expression “Start where you are” eliminates steps to action. “Use what you have” wrests back agency– doing this engages oneself in action while giving oneself to taking action, or “do what you can.”

Action, especially towards a greater good, is the most salient way to combat the various tentacles of existential dread, whether they are cancer, capitalism, or climate change. No matter where we turn, dread appears. Unavoidable but not unconquerable, we succumb only through inaction. Taking the first step towards action can be difficult, especially in our culture, which seems to perpetually discovering new heights of apathy. The world and our culture can feel like an incredibly heavyweight.