Ahhh yes… Some good spills here, but this serves to only set the stage for the latest modifications to the rules taking effect at the beginning of the 2010-2011 cyclocross season.
The biggest thing (in my mind anyway) is DISC BRAKES!!
In my mind, this is huge – I know that especially in mountain biking the modulation that disc brakes brings to the table is a huge advantage. Not to mention for non-pros like me disc brakes are waaaayyy less maintenance, and they don’t squeal like little bitches on long descents ;-)
Here’s a full rundown of the changes:
- Disc brakes will now be allowed in cyclo-cross competition.
- The legal tire width in competition has also been changed. Width shall not exceed 33 mm, whereas before the maximum width was 35 mm.
- Continental Cyclocross Championships have been established.
- The “6 obstacle limit” has been changed to a “6 man-made obstacle limit.”
- The height of barriers is now a maximum of 40 cm instead of a defined height of 40 cm.
- Man-made sand pits are now allowed and the dimensions for them have been established.
- The distance between planks has been changed to a range of 4 to 6 meters between.
- Commissaires may now authorize feeding if the temperature is above 20 degrees C. This feeding takes place in the pit lane, but not during the first two or the last two laps.
- The commissaires may now invoke the “80% rule” and remove a rider who is behind the leader by 80% of the leader’s lap time. Thus, riders can be pulled before they are lapped.
Story via: USA Cycling
I dunno about disc brakes in cx. Look at the crashes in that video, people are flying full on into other peoples bikes. The razor edge of a rotor is likely to shear off lbs of flesh. I have never really found that canti’s were not good enough for the short descents on most cross courses. MTBing has way faster and technical descending where disc brakes are warranted, not to mention less pile up carnage than cx.
I am really surprised by that UCI ruling.
Yeah, I see what you’re saying Thomas, but I’m not imagining a need for big mtb-esque 180mm razor rotors ;-)
I can see some more cx-specific set ups coming to light over the next few years.
I too haven’t found too many problems with cantis in the races to date, but I haven’t really raced any super-wet/muddy conditions either. I would imagine that put in those scenarios discs may prove beneficial.
I have to admit that given everything I use my cross bike for biases my opinion as well (ie. winter commuting)
I’d be interested in knowing how other people feel about this!
Ahhhh yes. Fond memories of the bridge at Nationals. What was I even doing there?… And, of course, leave it to Ken to bring it up, again :-)
Sweet – I wonder if I could use my 29er and just switch out the fork, bars are tires?
I don’t know if it’s good or bad. I just got a cross bike this year, and have barely been able to ride it. But what I do know, is that cantilever brakes suck.
Don’t get me wrong I am the first person to jump on new ideas and technology, I’m in no way a luddite.
I have actually raced CX on a 29er with suspension, cross tires and disc brakes and I have to say that my cross bike out performed it in all aspects. Yeah I had a ton braking power but the skinny cross tires on the grass and dirt didn’t cope well with braking power. I ended up overshooting stuff cause I thought my discs would slow me down like on regular mtb tires. This is obviously a problem with my skills and the equipment/terrain, but it begs the question of do we really need that much more stopping power. The only things that annoys me about canti’s is alignment issues when changing wheels and they are a pain to setup.
Us lowly cats have been allowed to race with discs since before this ruling so it hasn’t really changed much.
For commuting disc brakes make a ton of sense as tires have asphalt to grip for the added braking power. Like you said though Ken if they came out with an impossibly small rotor/brake for CX use that could make more sense for CX racing.
Hmm… That’s a great point Thomas – I hadn’t really considered the conundrum of braking power vs. traction of cx tires.
In my mind though, it’s less a question of “more stopping power” and more a question of “more modulated,” or “better controlled,” or “more consistent” power.
Mainly because canti’s are such a pain to get working correctly… Once they’re dialed, in – I agree with you that things are all good. It’s just that I would much rather be riding than fiddling with my brakes… I sort of prefer a set it and forget it type of mentality.
As I mentioned in my earlier comment though, and to your point, I don’t think transitioning a full mtb set up is going to work, the bikes themselves are going to require a different set up – I’m just excited to see how things evolve over the next few years… I don’t anticipate widespread adoption immediately.
Maybe not right now, but after they’ve been fine tuned. I could see using them here in New England where mud and water are the rule. I’d like to try them out.
Looks like there’s already some rigs cropping up as well – This one from Fixie Inc. is flat out beautiful:
http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/bikes/cyclocross/pure-blood
Also, some great insight on the changes form 34×18.