2009-11-11
Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com at the CSI
Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) go 1-2 on day 1 of the Cycle Smart International.
2009-11-09
Adam Craig's Giant Prototype
You've seen it all before already. Giant is in the process of testing and developing a carbon cyclocross bike. I was able to take a closer look at this bike in the pit at the Cycle-Smart International Cyclocross race in Northampton, MA.
On day 1, after starting in the last row and being stuck behind a crash, Adam was able to make it up to the front of the race and finished 5th. On day 2, Adam suffered another bout of bad luck as another crash at the start of the race slowed down half the field. Craig was on the ground for several minutes before getting up and continuing the race. He took a bike change on the first lap and finished the race the current TCX aluminum production model to 9th place.
Adam's legs and the aluminum Giant during post race interview. Note the MRP guide with a single chain ring setup.
While leap frogging the field in the elite race, the carbon Giant sat in the pit in case misfortune were to strike again. The bike is complete with Shimano's latest electronic Di2 Dura Ace 7970 gruppo along with several other PRO selections.
A closeup of the stem on Adam's bike.
This stem is very similar to the stem on Mark Cavendish's bike from the Tour. This one has a hole drilled right through the middle to make way for the front brake cable. If you take a closer look, there's no cable hanger attached to the head set.
Craig uses TRP Euro-X Carbon brakes to scrub speed. Take a look at Adam's straddle cable height, relative to the setup on Jeremy Power's CX9 or Katie Compton's Stevens Cross Carbon Team. You can see why this is important over here.
Craig is also rolling on Shimano Dura-Ace 24mm carbon tubular rims. The front tire is a Michelin Mud tread glued onto to a 30mm Dugast casing.
A close up of the electronic Dura Ace shifter.
The bottom bracket junction on the carbon prototype.
Shimano 7900 crankset mated to a custom 46 tooth Dura Ace chainring.
The battery pack at the heart of the Di2 system. It looks like the mount is bolted to the underside of the chain stay, with the battery pack sliding right on. I wonder if there's a chance that this could get knocked off during a crowded run up?
On his first lap mishap, Craig seems to have suffered a rear tire casualty. Here's a closer look at the tire that was originally on his A bike. This tread looks like Vittoria's new XM tread.
A look of the rear triangle. Take a look at Craig's rear tire, mounted to a Dura Ace 24 mm clincher wheel. He choses to run a Michelin Jet as a backup to the Vittoria. The most interesting thing about this tire is the way it's mounted. Michelin features arrows on their sidewalls for a front and rear specific rolling direction. Many chose to run the rear tire in reverse, with the REAR arrow pointing forward. Craig on the other hand decides to run the tire with the FRONT arrow point, and the same direction as a front tire would be mounted.
Another view of the rear triangle and brake caliper. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind the small rear triangle. Initial reports say that Giant was aiming to design a compliant bike, instead of focusing on stiffness. My thought is that the smaller rear triangles and shorter tubes would result in a stiffer ride. An independent bike testing consultant told me that the smallest "bendy" bike, is still stiffer than the largest stiffest bike out there.
Check out the detail on the machined ramp feature on the one off Dura Ace chainring. The plates on the chain also have excess material removed to reduce wait, saving 18 grams over the older 7800 incarnation.
Good luck the rest of the season Adam. I'll be rooting for you at Nationals.
On day 1, after starting in the last row and being stuck behind a crash, Adam was able to make it up to the front of the race and finished 5th. On day 2, Adam suffered another bout of bad luck as another crash at the start of the race slowed down half the field. Craig was on the ground for several minutes before getting up and continuing the race. He took a bike change on the first lap and finished the race the current TCX aluminum production model to 9th place.
Adam's legs and the aluminum Giant during post race interview. Note the MRP guide with a single chain ring setup.
While leap frogging the field in the elite race, the carbon Giant sat in the pit in case misfortune were to strike again. The bike is complete with Shimano's latest electronic Di2 Dura Ace 7970 gruppo along with several other PRO selections.
A closeup of the stem on Adam's bike.
This stem is very similar to the stem on Mark Cavendish's bike from the Tour. This one has a hole drilled right through the middle to make way for the front brake cable. If you take a closer look, there's no cable hanger attached to the head set.Craig uses TRP Euro-X Carbon brakes to scrub speed. Take a look at Adam's straddle cable height, relative to the setup on Jeremy Power's CX9 or Katie Compton's Stevens Cross Carbon Team. You can see why this is important over here.
Craig is also rolling on Shimano Dura-Ace 24mm carbon tubular rims. The front tire is a Michelin Mud tread glued onto to a 30mm Dugast casing.
A close up of the electronic Dura Ace shifter.
The bottom bracket junction on the carbon prototype.
Shimano 7900 crankset mated to a custom 46 tooth Dura Ace chainring.
The battery pack at the heart of the Di2 system. It looks like the mount is bolted to the underside of the chain stay, with the battery pack sliding right on. I wonder if there's a chance that this could get knocked off during a crowded run up?
On his first lap mishap, Craig seems to have suffered a rear tire casualty. Here's a closer look at the tire that was originally on his A bike. This tread looks like Vittoria's new XM tread.
A look of the rear triangle. Take a look at Craig's rear tire, mounted to a Dura Ace 24 mm clincher wheel. He choses to run a Michelin Jet as a backup to the Vittoria. The most interesting thing about this tire is the way it's mounted. Michelin features arrows on their sidewalls for a front and rear specific rolling direction. Many chose to run the rear tire in reverse, with the REAR arrow pointing forward. Craig on the other hand decides to run the tire with the FRONT arrow point, and the same direction as a front tire would be mounted.
Another view of the rear triangle and brake caliper. I don't fully understand the reasoning behind the small rear triangle. Initial reports say that Giant was aiming to design a compliant bike, instead of focusing on stiffness. My thought is that the smaller rear triangles and shorter tubes would result in a stiffer ride. An independent bike testing consultant told me that the smallest "bendy" bike, is still stiffer than the largest stiffest bike out there.
Check out the detail on the machined ramp feature on the one off Dura Ace chainring. The plates on the chain also have excess material removed to reduce wait, saving 18 grams over the older 7800 incarnation.
Good luck the rest of the season Adam. I'll be rooting for you at Nationals.
2009-11-07
Analysis of Crash at CSI - Northampton, MA
Screen captures and commentary courtesy of Chris Eager.
The rider in the black skinsuit gets a little sideways going over the curb from the pavement on to the grass.
The lead group make it through safely, but the riders at the back of the pack will not be so fortunate.
As the rider in the black skinsuit goes down, the force of the crash causes his tubular tire to roll off of the rim.
The CCB and Kenda/Seven rider try to avoid the crash and end up getting airborne.
The trajectory of the airborne riders continue.
Note the Embrocation rider starting a two wheel drift, trying to avoid the crash.
The Embro rider stays upright after sliding across the grass, as the airborne Redline sets a pick. Adam Craig meanwhile calmly makes his way around the pile on the ground.
Traffic jam starts.
The riders starting at the back of the race now make their way through the crash site.
Unfortunately, a rolled front tubular for Gavin Mannion.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured during this crash. The race continued with Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) taking the win. This weekend marks the 19th edition of the oldest UCI cyclocross race in the United States. You can read more about it over here.
The rider in the black skinsuit gets a little sideways going over the curb from the pavement on to the grass.
The lead group make it through safely, but the riders at the back of the pack will not be so fortunate.
As the rider in the black skinsuit goes down, the force of the crash causes his tubular tire to roll off of the rim.
The CCB and Kenda/Seven rider try to avoid the crash and end up getting airborne.
The trajectory of the airborne riders continue.
Note the Embrocation rider starting a two wheel drift, trying to avoid the crash.
The Embro rider stays upright after sliding across the grass, as the airborne Redline sets a pick. Adam Craig meanwhile calmly makes his way around the pile on the ground.
Traffic jam starts.
The riders starting at the back of the race now make their way through the crash site.
Unfortunately, a rolled front tubular for Gavin Mannion.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured during this crash. The race continued with Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) taking the win. This weekend marks the 19th edition of the oldest UCI cyclocross race in the United States. You can read more about it over here.
Crash At Cycle Smart - Elite Men
Crash at the start of the men's elite race at the Cycle Smart International in Northampton, MA.
Video courtesy of Eric Silva.
Video courtesy of Eric Silva.
Cycle-Smart elite men start (and crash) from Eric Silva on Vimeo.
2009-11-06
ATMO
Richard Sachs cheering on his riders on Day 1 of New Gloucester. Team rider Dan Timmerman would go on to take the win and teammate Josh Dillon would go on to finish third.
2009-11-04
Providence Cyclocross Day 1
Start of the men's elite race. Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) would go on to win the race, followed by teammate Jamey Driscoll, Champion Systems' Chris Jones would end up third, rounding out the podium.
2009-11-03
Adam Myerson in the Pits at New Gloucester
While at the race, this whole sequence made no sense. Why would anybody change their shoe in the middle of a race? Then this was overheard over the internet waves:
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) pulls into the pit and starts to take off his shoe
His mechanic comes closer ready with spare shoe in hand
Myerson finally pulls off his shoe and starts to put on a new one
He gets a hand from his mechanic with the buckle on the new shoe. It was 40 degrees that day, my guess is that dexterity was non existent.
After changing his shoe, Adam hops on a fresh bike and starts to rejoin the race
But stops after he realizes that he has a rear flat.
He runs back to his mechanic to grab the same bike he rode in on.
After an interesting pit stop, Myerson jumps on a functional bike to finish the race in 6th place. Nice race Adam.
Addendum 2009.11.05:
Adam came across this post and added a little commentary on his blog. Check it out: http://www.cycle-smart.com/blog/2009/11/04/you-cant-make-stuff
"3rd for a while, flatted, dropped to 5th, then lost a cleat! Changed a shoe, finished 6th. The form, it's coming..."- @adammyerson
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) pulls into the pit and starts to take off his shoe
His mechanic comes closer ready with spare shoe in hand
Myerson finally pulls off his shoe and starts to put on a new one
He gets a hand from his mechanic with the buckle on the new shoe. It was 40 degrees that day, my guess is that dexterity was non existent.
After changing his shoe, Adam hops on a fresh bike and starts to rejoin the race
But stops after he realizes that he has a rear flat.
He runs back to his mechanic to grab the same bike he rode in on.
After an interesting pit stop, Myerson jumps on a functional bike to finish the race in 6th place. Nice race Adam.
Addendum 2009.11.05:
Adam came across this post and added a little commentary on his blog. Check it out: http://www.cycle-smart.com/blog/2009/11/04/you-cant-make-stuff
"As it turned out, the second flat was from a valve stem that wasn't completely closed and was leaning against something that accidentally depressed it. So while 2nd was still within reach when I flatted the first time, the combo of the loose cleat and and a good minute in the pit put me back in 6th for good.
Muddy days like this are just full of unpredictability, and even the winners are falling off their bikes. Fast and steady wins the race, as Frankie McCormack always said."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
