October 10, 2007

Officially Cross Season

I got all my new cyclocross equipment this week, put it this way, I have no excuses when it comes to equipment. I've got two Zipp wheelsets, one 303 and one 404, which are taped up to Tufo Flexus tires and they are super light, crazy light in fact. I've ridden them a few times and they are nice. The rest of the bike is DA although, they've really spoiled me and got me a FSA K Force lite crank with ceramic bearings, it's ridiculously light. I'm also going to run a double chainring setup up front this year over the single I've been riding, with the lighter cranks it should come out about the same weight as the single. I ran into a little snag on the frames and am trying to get it ironed out so it looks like I'll be riding the Treks one more weekend, but with the wheels its already dropped a pound over my old setup so it's not too bad.

This weekend I'll be heading SE to the UCI cross races in Ohio. Last year I was able to win the race on Saturday and I think 3rd on Sunday, this year it looks like a harder field with Barry Wicks registered along with Parbo, Tonkin and a few other tough guys - it's going to be hard and I need to get some UCI points, this should be the last weekend I can use last years so I really need a few good rides to stay up front.
I rode around in 50 degree rain and wet grass for a couple hours today, I should be ready for slippery race this weekend. I'm hoping for rain.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

gluing tape is bad. Use real glue. I already rolled 2 tires from carbon rims this year.
Eppen

Doug Swanson said...

Tristan, Good luck in Ohio. I agree with Eppen on the tape. The stuff work ok in the dry but as soon as it gets wet it loses it's effectiveness. I rolled the tubbies I hade taped up a few years back. Another guy I know rolled his off in the rain 2 weeks ago. I've had great luck with 3M fast tack. 2-3 thin coats on both the tire and the rim. Make sure the cotton is saturated on the new Tufos.

Nice collection of DA boxes...

Doug

Anonymous said...

wow, nice to see competitors helping each other out, and your tips help all of us pack-fill too, thanks

Dano said...

I could use those wheels for my track bike. Hook me up when your done with them....