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Crystal’s Moth Attack Disc ‘Cross

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Crystal’s Moth Attack Disc ‘Cross

It happens every year. Frame builders get the request for a new ‘cross bike and while it’s not necessarily a bad thing, there’s always that one caveat: “can I have it in time for this year’s season?”

Last year around this time, the Mudfoot team was clamoring for their new bikes and one of the rider’s wife, Crystal, really wanted to get one as well. After some thought and a brief conversation with Megan from Moth Attack she decided to support not only a female builder, but an ex-LA frame builder. Megan re-located to Colorado a few weeks back, but her and Crystal stayed in touch.

The docket was easy: discs, 44mm head tube, an english bottom bracket and red paint! Megan delivered on all fronts and Crystal built up her new bike with Shimano Ultegra, Chris King, an ENVE CX fork and Easton parts.

Personally, I’d like to think this is the kind of ‘cross bike most people would want to order currently and It’s one of my favorites I’ve seen this year. There’s something about its size, simplicity and I love the various logo hits on the bike. Great job, Megan and Crystal, ENJOY!

Kelli’s Stinner ‘Cross Bike with Airglow Paint

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Kelli’s Stinner ‘Cross Bike with Airglow Paint

In Los Angeles, a ‘cross bike’s limitations are self-prescribed. You can ride just about everything on one, as long as you’ve got the right equipment and the willpower. Bigger tires and appropriate gear range are paramount. Things like blinged-out componentry are just added bonuses to the spice of life. And in LA, the spice must flow.

Kelli‘s not necessarily new to cyclocross but this is her first legitimate ‘cross rig. Her husband Ty reached out to Aaron Stinner to make a bike that would embody race pedigree but still be at home in the hills and mountains of Los Angeles county and beyond. When she’s not running her women’s cycling team, LA Sweat, she’s trying to take on more off-road riding and this bike is more than enough motivation to do so.

PAUL Components, 3T, and a Luxe Wheelworks Chris King to H+Son Archtype wheel build all compliment the absolutely mind-fucking beautiful AirGlow paint job by Hill Clarke. If you like to geek out on painting procedure and process, make sure you check out Hill’s Instagram.

Before the comments open up, YES, technically the tires are on backwards here and yet the bike didn’t explode upon hitting the dirt. ;-)

Chas’ Team TCB LOW ‘Cross Bike

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Chas’ Team TCB LOW ‘Cross Bike

For SF’s TCB Courier, the busy summer months aren’t easy with all their deliveries yet the hustle and bustle of a day to day life of a bike messenger aids itself well for staying in shape. Especially come ‘cross season. This year, the team will be racing on the new LOW ‘cross frames. These frames are decorated with blue and orange paint, with each bottom bracket stamped with the racer’s name.

The Rock Lobster Cup

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The Rock Lobster Cup

Bay Area people, dwellers of Santa Cruz and San Jose listen up: the crustacean king at Rock Lobster is throwing a pre-season cyclocross cup on August 29th at the Bonny Doon Airport. There’s something for everyone, so if you can make it out, do so!

44 Bikes: Julie’s White and Green Huntsman ‘Cross

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44 Bikes: Julie’s White and Green Huntsman ‘Cross

Julie got her 44 Bikes Hunstman (huntswoman?) last winter and built it up this spring. Kris from 44 had never seen it complete until recently, when she allowed him to photograph it. As far as ‘cross bikes are concerned, this might be one of the slickest to ever grace this website. The white paint, juxtaposed with the sour apple green is so attractive. Also, those Ashima Ai2 rotors look amazing on this bike, especially with the sour apple Chris King R45 disc hubs.

See more drool-worthy ‘cross goodness at the 44 Bikes Flickr.

Turner Bikes Introduces the Cyclosys Disc ‘Cross Bike

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Turner Bikes Introduces the Cyclosys Disc ‘Cross Bike

With an ever-increasing popularity of the sport, many mountain bike companies have ventured into cyclocross bikes in the past few years. For David Turner, owner and founder of Turner Bikes, his personal race rig prototype has finally hit the public market. David has spent the past five years designing the ideal ‘cross bike. One that can take on everything from hour-long races to day-long “all-road” rides. The Cyclosys is the brand’s first non-suspension bike, ever.

As an introductory offer, Turner is selling the Cyclosys with a custom Powder-coat color finish as a free upgrade option to the First 50 Pre-Orders and a free upgrade to Stans Carbon Valor wheels to the first 25 pre-orders. Have yours in time for ‘cross season, in the color you want, with race-ready wheels…

See more information at Turner and more photos below.

Niner’s BSB 9 RDO Gets Upgraded for 2015 Season

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Niner’s BSB 9 RDO Gets Upgraded for 2015 Season

For Niner, there are two sides to their cyclocross coin: one, an all-rounder that can take bikepacking trips on and still be race-worthy and on the other side, the race-pedigree machine that is the BSB 9 RDO. The latest version of the BSB now sports a 142mm x 12mm thru-axle, locking in the stays to the hub and keeping the frame rigid when it’s needed most: during acceleration.

Paired with clearances for up to a 40mm tire, short chainstays (425mm), this stiffness will take on everything from sandy corners to rutted off-cambers and with the reliability of disc brakes, you’re in for maximum control.

Because you’ll want to hold onto this one for a while, Niner backs the BSB 9 RDO with a five year, C5 warranty.

Pricing begins at $2,300 for a frame, $3,000 for a 2-star build and up to $6,500 for a 5-star build. See more of the BSB 9 RDO below and more information at Niner. Available in late July or early August.

Versatility and Niner’s RLT 9 Steel Disc Cross Bike with Ultegra Hydro

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Versatility and Niner’s RLT 9 Steel Disc Cross Bike with Ultegra Hydro

Cross is coming, cross is coming! But then cross is over, just as quickly as it came and you’re left with a bicycle that is only alive for about an hour on a closed course, right? I’d sure as hell hope not. Strap some bags on it, take it on singletrack, shred it on gravel. Cyclocross bikes are incredibly versatile and with so many options out there these days, it’s hard to sift through them all.

That’s where brand recognition helps. For those of you who have ridden Niner’s bikes, you know they’re thoughtful, ripping machines and when they announced the RLT 9 Steel earlier this year everyone’s interest was piqued including mine. Let’s face it, there aren’t a lot of high-grade steel ‘cross frames out there. There are a lot of “custom butted” or “special recipe” tubesets, which have a place for sure but there’s something recognizable about the words “Reynolds 853.”