Raleigh wrenching

Worked on the bike after work today:

It had old rusted cheap cottered cranks previously. What's worse is that I'm sure the previous owner didnt know or take the time to service them, because they wiggled like crazy in the BB. I initially tried tightening the BB cups without taking off the cranks, this didnt solve the problem.

I bought a set of Sugino VP cranks with a 130BCD pattern, and they had a gunmetal color paint over the top of them, not anodized. Using some paint remover, steel wool, scraper, soft rag and some metal polish I sparkled them up pretty well.Will get a 48t big ring when the season gets closer.

Getting off the cottered cranks was a chore, using Sheldon's tutorial was vital. . I ended up breaking off the threaded portion, drilling out the cotter pin, heating everything up with a torch and then driving it out with a punch. Then I removed the other side's BB cup so that I didnt have to remove both cotters.

Installed the old school Stronglight Competition BB that I bought for $2 and everything looks pretty good.

Cannot find a photo of the Sugino VP cranks online in the 130bcd pattern with the gunmetal paint, but they were hideous. Now, I think they look a lot like one of my most favorite cranks the Dura Ace 7400's.

Had the alloy pedals sitting in a box so decided to throw them on, will get some clipless in the near future.

Lastly, snapped a photo of the Wright's leather saddle I got off of eBay for $20 shipped. I'll use this saddle and seatpost for general cruising, but will switch back to the plastic/leather Turbo for cyclocross racing as I'll feel more comfortable abusing that one.

Raleigh Cyclocross

Here are some before pics of the Raleigh Grand Prix. Accumulating parts as we speak, I'm currently riding this bike everyday commuting to work, so cant have any downtime due to rebuilding.

Thus, I'm planning on amassing my parts, polishing what needs to be polished.

btw---have spent $122 thus far.

Pair of custom frames

Hardcore CX racers will always have at least two bikes built up alike so that they can swap bikes midrace and not miss a beat.

A pair of custom cyclocross frames are for sale, with such a purpose in mind.

Pretty cool.

Cyclocross FAQ

The most popular page on this little blog is also one of my first posts: the Cyclocross FAQ

Written in September of 2005, most of the content is still fairly accurate, though on my list is to make revisions.

Check it out and let me know what needs to be added or changed.

"Vintage" Cyclocross bike build

Moved back to Sacramento, got a job 3 miles from my house and thought I'd get a bike that I could ride to work that would double as a cross bike if I decide to do a few races this year.

I want to call it my "vintage cx bike" but "ghetto cx bike" probably explains my budget a little better.

Got it off of Craigslist for $60, needs new tires, and I'll probably paint it too cause I always like that.

It's a 1976 Raleigh Grand Prix. Pictures shortly.

Lightweight Cyclocross Bike: Dustin's Kona

Hi Jeremy,

 

Dig your site...

 

I scored a cheap 2001 Kona Jake the Snake frame a few years back on craigslist, built it up, started racing, and got hooked!  When I bought my 1st new 'cross frame last year, I stuck with Kona - this time the Major Jake.  This year I rebuilt it, and switched to tubulars - can't say enough good things about revolution wheelworks tubulars - great value! I don't have a digital scale, so part weights are estimated from weight weenies and other online sources, but I'm pretty sure she's at or under 17 lbs.

 

Cheers,

 

Dustin

 

Total Weight ~ 7700g

 

Frame = Kona Major Jake 54cm = 1400g

Fork = Easton EC90X = 480g

 

Drivetrain: 

Levers = Dura Ace 7800 = 420g

FD = Dura Ace 7800 = 83g

RD = Dura Ace 7800 = 180g

Cassette = Ultegra 12-27 = 256g

Chain = Ultegra = 280g

Crankset = Dura Ace 7800 39/46 (Truvativ Outer Ring) = 760g

BB = Dura Ace 7800 (weight included in crankset weight)

 

Controls:

Brakes = Avid Shorty 6 with Kool Stop pads = 360g

Saddle = Selle Italia Flight = 240g

Seatpost = Thompson 27.2mm cut to length = 220g

Headset = Chris King = 120g

Bar = Ritchey WCS Classic 42cm = 210g

Stem = Ritchey WCS 90mm = 125g

Pedals = Crank Brothers Eggbeater SL = 266g

 

Wheels:

Wheelset = Revolution Wheelworks REV-25X = 1460

Tires = Vittoria Evo XG 290 = 400g

Skewers = Revolution Wheelworks = 130g

 

Small Parts:

Bar Tape = Bontrager = 40g

Cables/Housing/Ferrules = 190g

Tubular Glue = Vittoria Mastik One = 50g

Generic Front Cable Guide = 30g

Generic Carbon Headset Spacers = 10g

 

 

 

 

Vintage Cantilever Brakes

Came across this photo online here filed in 1939

Notice that the brake mounts via a clamp, pretty cool.

Shedding weight: Drilling the crap out of your saddle

This is a routine mod for weight weenies. But Rasmus has taken it a step further. I've done this mod myself, and never noticed it being less comfortable than the standard SLR.

Here are some SLR's if you'd like to do this mod yourself:
Link
Link

Lightweight Cyclocross Bike: Joe's Yeti

I Love the website and find myself checking it all the time to see the new bikes. Finally decided to send mine over and see if it makes the website. I think it might be the first Yeti but not sure. On my
semi-accurate and hanging from the doorframe scale it comes in at just over 17.5 pounds. This is as clean as she's been in about a year so I thought I better send in the pictures before the next weekly race.

The Build:
Frame/Fork - Yeti Arc-X (size small) and Easton EC-90x
Drivetrain - All Sram Force except for FSA SL-K Cranks (going to be moving to smaller Thorne chainrings shortly. Some days I think I'm the only amateur that can admit they cannot comfortably race a 46T)
Cassette - Sram 1070
Wheels - Ksyrium SL SSC
Brakes - TRP Euro X with Swiss Stop pads
Stem/Seatpost - Ritchey WCS wet black finish
Handlebars - FSA Wing Pro (Compact) - white
Saddle - Selle Italia SLR-xp
Tires - Ritchey Speedmax 700x32 (swapped with Kenda SB8's when need more traction)
Pedals - Had been running Crank Brothers 2Ti, but now switching over to to Look Quartz

Guess that's about it. She's not near as light as all the carbon frame/wheel bikes but she can take an insane pounding without a hiccup. Plus I'm not in fear of having to drop $200 for new carbon bars should I eat in a race...which is always a 50/50 proposition for me.

Best,
Joe

1988 Cyclocross World Champ Video

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

The rest of the parts can be found on Youtube...

Lightweight Cyclocross Bike: Nik's BMC CrossMachine

Nik's BMC CrossMachine is a pretty sick ride. But of course it is, crap doesnt make it to +1lap. :) The bike has a good mix of components which means the bike looks to be built with racing (rather than for wall displaying) in mind but still brings the weight under 17 pounds (7.7 kilos for the metrically inclined). All without carbon wheels = impressive.

08 bmc aluminum w/ carbon seat stays

Easton ec 90 bars

Easton ea 90 stem 

Easton ea 90 seatpost

Sella italia flight w/ ti rails

SRAM rival shift/brake hoods

SRAM force front/rear derailers

Paul brakes 

Mavic ksyrium sl elite 

Salsa ti skewers

Kenda small block 8's

SRAM red 10spd cassette

SRAM 10spd chain

Durace cranks

Time attack aluminum pedals

If you have a sub 18 lb cross bike email it to me at plusonelap at gmail dot com

Cyclocross Christmas Money Spree

Have some Christmas cash? Checkout these cyclocross deals

Scott CX bike Ultegra

Steel Lemond Poprad

CX Gruppo

Interesting Pinarello "cyclocross" bike

Paul Neo-Retro Deal

Saw these on Ebay and thought someone might want to pull the trigger on them.

$60 for a full bike's worth and only 5 hours left.

Link

Lightweight Cyclocross Bike: Ty's Moots

Hey Jeremy,

Finally finished the moots, also check out my friends revised website, www.belgiumkneewarmers.com. I am a contributer in pictures and stories. Thanks for having a great Website!

Moots Psychlo X Titanium 53.5

weight 16.8 pounds

Campagnolo Chorus Groupset 11 speed

Cassette: Campagnolo Super Record 12-25

Crank: Campagnolo Compact 34-50, with option of FSA 46 tooth 11 speed ring

Rear Deral.: Campagnolo Chorus

Front Deraluer: Campagnol Chorus

Mavic Ksyrium SL SSC tubular wheels

Tires: Tufo Elite Diamond Tubular 30 mm

Brakes: Spooky Alum. with TRP adjustable barrels

Brake Pads: Swiss Stop Rat

Pedals: Crank Bros. Titanium

Fork: Easton EC90X carbon

Headset: Chris King Threadless

Seatpost: Deda Zero 100

Saddle: Selle Italia SLR 165g

Stem: Deda Newton 100cm

Handlebar: Deda Newton Italian short drop 44cm

Cork: Specailzed RoubaixComputer: Garmin 705

Ty
 

VeloNews: Cross Tire Shootout

Good article on cyclocross tires over at VeloNews.

"a set of new or gently used box section (tubular) rims laced three-cross that you found at VeloSwap, EBay or your local shop will afford 90-percent of the advantage for less than $200"