[caption id="attachment_133639" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Tom Ritchey’s hand-brazed 25th anniversary Swiss Cross frameset, before paint. It’s headed for Frischi himself. 2019 NAHBS Sacramento. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

It ended up being the craftsmanship by none other than the legend Tom Ritchey.

[caption id="attachment_133642" align="aligncenter" width="1195"] Tom Ritchey’s hand-brazed 25th anniversary Swiss Cross frameset, before paint. It’s headed for Frischi himself. 2019 NAHBS Sacramento. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

However, it wasn’t just a one-off show bike. The Ritchey Design founder brazed the frame to both celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ritchey Swiss Cross and offer one of the nicest gifts of gratitude to another legend and former sponsored racer, Thomas Frischknecht.

[caption id="attachment_133645" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Tom Ritchey’s hand-brazed 25th anniversary Swiss Cross frameset, before paint. It’s headed for Frischi himself. 2019 NAHBS Sacramento. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The frame we spotted was a Tom Ritchey-brazed version of the latest model coming out of the company, the steel Ritchey Swiss Cross 25th anniversary edition.

25th Anniversary Ritchey Swiss Cross Production Run

Ritchey unveiled a new, updated version of the steel Swiss Cross frame this week. The steel cyclocross frameset gets a slew of updates but keeps the look and history of the Swiss Cross Canti and Swiss Cross Disc framesets and pairs it with the modern trappings, clearance and fork of the adventure-oriented Outback frameset.

[caption id="attachment_133628" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The new limited edition 25th anniversary Ritchey Swiss Cross frameset. Only 100 will be made, with just 30 coming to the U.S.[/caption]

The 25th anniversary Swiss Cross now features thru-axles and flat mount disc brakes of course, but also gets increased mud and tire clearance (and slightly longer chainstays), accommodating 40mm tires.

[caption id="attachment_133627" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The new limited edition 25th anniversary Ritchey Swiss Cross frameset. Flat mount and thru axles are two new features.[/caption]

While the frame shares some traits with the Outback, it’s still a race-oriented ride and leaves the bikepacking, racks and fenders to its more adventuresome sibling. The Swiss Cross also features a higher bottom bracket (average drop is 63mm), with the expectation that off-cambers and perhaps lower volume tires are in its future.

Describing the differences between the Outback and updated Swiss Cross, Ritchey’s Fergus Liam explains, “Sure there’s still no fender or rack mounts, but you wouldn’t put a ski rack on a 911 either. The Swiss Cross is a race bike at heart—whether cyclocross or gravel or what have you. It is performance through and through. Dirty Kanza? Lost and Found? Cyclocross Nationals? Yes, this is your ride. Bike packing with a waxed canvas pannier and twine bar wrap? Maybe not.”

Already lining up behind Frischi to get yours? If you fancy the iconic red and white version, you better act fast, as Ritchey is only producing 100 of the limited edition anniversary color and just 30 are heading to the U.S.

There will be more, in the less-limited black and white color scheme.

[caption id="attachment_133629" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The new Ritchey Swiss Cross frameset also comes in a $1399 black edition that won’t be so limited in quantity.[/caption]

The limited edition red and white frameset is offered at presale for $1,499, and comes complete with a pair of Megabite tubeless tires and a Frischi bobblehead, while the black frameset retails for $1,399 without the accessories.

Cyclocross Magazine got an exclusive first look, and fast-twitch fingers can take advantage of the pre-sale to lock up one of the limited edition red and white Swiss Cross framesets.

More info: ritcheylogic.com

Full details from Ritchey below the photo gallery.

Ritchey 25th Anniversary Swiss Cross Cyclocross Bike Photo Gallery:

The new limited edition 25th anniversary Ritchey Swiss Cross frameset.

The post Ritchey Unveils Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Swiss Cross appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Gravel events are now reaching new heights in popularity, but racing on unpaved roads has been a mainstay in Colorado at the Boulder Roubaix for three decades now.

First held in 1990, the mixed-surface race started as a local tribute to the Paris-Roubaix. Every other year the Colorado version is held a week before the famed race in France.

Like its European namesake, the Boulder Roubaix features a mix of pavement and dirt roads. In the case of the U.S. version, the pavé of France is replaced by the dirt and gravel roads north of Boulder.

The course is an 18-mile loop with surfaces that are about 40 percent pavement and 60 percent gravel and dirt. As a USAC-sanctioned event, it includes categories for racers of all ages and abilities, and payouts totaled $2,000 for the Elite Women and Men’s races.

The 2019 Boulder Roubaix mixed-surface race took place last weekend. photo: courtesy

The Race

This year’s semi-annual Boulder Roubaix took place on Saturday.

The Elite Women’s race was won by Jennifer Valente (SHO-AIR Twenty20), who finished 16 seconds ahead of second. Gwen Inglis (Stages Cycling) finished second and Lauren De Crescenzo (DNA Pro Cycling) third. Rachel Plessing (ALP Cycles Racing) and Holly Breck (Go Fast – Incycle) rounded out the wide-angle podium.

Colby Lange (Wildlife Generation p/b Maxxis) took top honors in the Elite Men’s race. Colin Strickland (Meteor x Giordana x Allied) took him to the line and finished second. Kevin Girkins rounded out the podium in third. Samuel Grove and Jake Magee rounded out the wide-angle podium.

Results for all categories can be seen can be seen here.

Results for the Elite races are below.

Elite Women's Results: 2019 Boulder Roubaix

Elite Men's Results: 2019 Boulder Roubaix

The post Gravel Race: Colorado’s Boulder Roubaix Celebrates Three Decades of Mixed-Surface Racing appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Matt Acker is already tough to miss thanks to his colorful ginger beard and Warbeard bike, but in Michigan’s gravel scene, he is tough to miss off the bike because he is everywhere.

Acker has made a name for himself racing events of all distances across the country—he won last year’s inaugural 350-mile DKXL—and recently, he has been giving back by helping organize local gravel rides and races in his home state of Michigan.

Matt Acker is tough to miss out on the gravel roads. 2018 Gravel Worlds. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine

Last year, Acker helped with the first Cross the Mitten Michigan Coast-to-Coast Gravel Grinder, and this year, Acker has taken on a leadership role with Saturday’s Barry-Roubaix based in Hastings.

There is a method to Acker’s Michigan gravel madness. Jenny Acker is also a gravel enthusiast and a graphic designer and has been helping Barry-Roubaix race director Rick Plite with design work for the last several years. It went well, so why not formalize it?

“We all worked well together, and with Rick wanting to plan for the future of the event we all just sat down and discussed a partnership,” Matt Acker said. “So Jenny and I are official business partners in Pavements Ends which is our company that owns Barry-Roubaix, Lumberjack 100, Fargo Sub-48 and the Founder’s Fall Fondo.”

Acker has been helping the event prepare for Saturday’s race that will bring over 3,000 gravel enthusiasts to the small town located midway between Grand Rapids and Lansing.

A Premier Midwest Gravel Race

This year’s Barry-Roubaix will be the 11th edition of the annual early-spring race.

As we noted in our preview of last year’s race, like most gravel events, the Barry-Roubaix started with race director Rick Plite and friends riding the roads of Michigan’s Barry County and then wanting to share them with others via a race.

“A friend asked me to hold the ride out of a State Park in Barry County thinking I’d be blown away by the scenery and the rolling hills,” Plite said. “Man was I ever! I said on that group ride, ‘This needs to be a race,’ and one year later it started with 280 people.”

That first ride with 280 people has grown into a massive event with distances of 100, 62, 36 and 22 miles.

How massive is massive?

“This year has been the first ever sell-out of the event at over 3,500 participants!” Acker said excitedly. “Once we hit the cap we received hundreds of requests for an entry or transfer, so we’ll see the largest crowd we’ve ever had toe the line at the start.”

Riders still had time for some fun at the 2018 Barry-Roubaix. 2018 Barry-Roubaix Gravel Race © Rob Meendering Photo

The 62-mile race is the marquee event distance with payouts to reward the fastest women and men.

The 100-mile race was an addition last year for a special year. “It is our 10-year anniversary and 10 times 10 equals 100 sounded like a good idea,” Plite said last year.

That race is dubbed the “Psycho Killer,” to keep with the Barry-Roubaix’s “Killer Gravel Road Race” mantra. This year’s 100-miler has a sold-out field of 306 with a few more on the waiting list hoping to get in.

“We wanted to test the waters last year and gauge interest in the distance and it was a big hit,” Acker said. “We opened up another 50 spots this year to help with demand but wanted to keep it around 350 people. The goal with the 100 is to give those hardy distance racers that grassroots gravel feel with the unmarked course and challenging terrain.”

One-hundred is a popular distance in miles or kilometers for a lot of gravel races, so will the 100-mile event become the Barry-Roubaix’s goldest standard?

“We don’t have any immediate plans to make it the big event, and the 62 miler remains the signature race for those looking to duke it out with the best,” Acker said.

The Barry-Roubaix is not only open to the super hardcore (100 miles) and hardcore (62 miles), it also offers the 36-mile Smith Optics Thriller and 22-mile Lauf “Chiller.”

“The 22-miler has been around for some time now. It was added to capture the beginner crowd or those looking to dip their toes in the gravel race scene,” Acker said. “Funny thing though, it has the most feet of climbing per mile out of all the courses.”

That Lauf is a sponsor of the 22-mile race is little surprise. The Icelandic company has become a mainstay at U.S. gravel races, with employees participating in events across the country.

Last year, we met Gudberg Bjornsson at Gravel Worlds, and this weekend he will be in Michigan. We also spotted another Lauf employee at Florida’s Great Gator Gravel Grinder a few weekends ago.

Lauf will be returning the favor by hosting The Rift race in Iceland this July that, of course, the Ackers will be racing.

A Hidden Gem

With 3,500 people registered for this year’s race and more knocking at the door, the Barry-Roubaix is a premier event in the Midwest gravel scene. With the big fields come an impressive purse.

The total prize purse for the 62-mile race totals $12,000 for the Elite, Masters and Singlespeed categories, and the Open winners each take home $1,200.

Despite the prize purse, the Barry-Roubaix has not necessarily attracted the same number of national “Elite gravel racers” like a Land Run 100 or Belgian Waffle Ride might.

Acker commented on our observation, “I would agree with that statement, and I think the biggest contributing factor is that it is the same weekend as Sea Otter. The schedule here in the Midwest is pretty packed when it comes to the spring season and we’ve really carved our niche as being one of the opening events for peoples’ race season.”

That is not to say that the stars do not come out for the race. Mat Stephens (Panaracer / Factor p/b Bicycle X-Change) has won the last two years, and emerging road and cyclocross star Lily Williams (Hagen Bermans | Supermint) won in 2017. Other race alumni include Justin Lindine, Cody Kaiser and others.

Stephens and his Panaracer / Factor p/b Bicycle X-Change teammates highlight this year’s provisional start list, with Kae Takeshita, John Borstelmann, Michael Sencenbaugh and Rob Bell are set to start. Of course, it helps that Panaracer is sponsoring the 100-mile Psycho Killer…

What Will this Year Bring?

All Barry-Roubaix courses head out southwest of Hastings into Barry Country. The 62-mile course can be a fast one thanks to the well-maintained roads and a moderate amount of climbing.

“I like to call them dirt roads,” Plite said. “There really isn’t a lot of gravel to them. The road commission keeps them in really good shape so chatter bumps are not even bad.”

The Barry-Roubaix course has permanent signage. photo: Barry-Roubaix

Looking for proof the roads are not that bad? Last year Jeff Jacobi did the 36-mile route on a penny farthing. A penny farthing!

Jeff Jacobi did the 2018 Barry-Roubaix on a Penny Farthing. © Rob Meendering

Two years ago, conditions were pretty much the worst with a cold rain falling through 40-degree temperatures. Only 1,850 of 3,200 registrants finished that race.

Last year was fast, breaking records from the 2013 “Fast Year.” Rachel Langdon (Gray Goat Mobile / Bullseye Total Media) shattered the Women’s 62-mile course record by 7 minutes and Stephens bested the Men’s best by a little under 2 minutes.

What will this year’s race bring? Right now, temperatures are expected to be near 50 degrees, and Acker thinks some pre-race rainy will help the skinnier-tire rippers.

“The forecast is calling for a chance of rain Wednesday through Friday and then a cool but sunny race day in the mid to upper 40s. The rain might just do the trick to pack down the sandy sections of the courses and make the gravel super fast for Saturday.”

If one thing about Saturday’s race is certain, it is that the post-race flavor will be “delicious,” with Grand Rapids’ Founders Brewery serving as the race’s title sponsor.

“I come from a mountain biking background and there has to be a party afterward with beer! No matter the event,” Plite told us.

No matter the weather, the Barry-Roubaix is a party. Barry-Roubaix gravel race. photo: Rob Meendering

The post Michigan’s Barry-Roubaix Returns this Weekend with Sold-Out Field, New Partner appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

At the 2019 Sea Otter Classic, Teravail, the tire brand from QBP, showed off its latest gravel and mixed terrain tire, the Rutland. We were lucky to grab an early set before the show and offer some early photos, specs and impressions.

The Rutland is targeted at cyclists who may be riding more than traditional gravel. With a pattern of medium-sized, directional knobs and well-spaced, well-supported side knobs, the Rutland is designed to tackle conditions that cause the average gravel tread to slip.

Teravail’s Rutland, its latest gravel and mixed terrain tire. Shown here in the 42mm Light and Supple casing option. © Cyclocross Magazine

Find yourself needing to scale a muddy, wet climb? Want to chase (or drop) your mountain bike buddies on singletrack? The Rutland offers plenty of grip in these conditions and allowed us to pedal up the slopes of California’s Mount Diablo when many with other gravel tires had to walk.

The other upside to the tread design appears to be more durability (and therefore grip) over traditional gravel tires with a small file tread. After a few unintentional skids, the tires looks no worse for wear.

Teravail’s Rutland offers plenty of grip on wet, slippery dirt or mud, or loose gravel. The knobs should offer more durability than popular file treads. © Cyclocross Magazine

Think all those knobs will make you buzzed on pavement? That’s not the case. It seems to roll about as well as a WTB Nano, another popular mixed terrain option, with less buzz than a WTB Resolute (another staff favorite).

The Rutland comes in an impressive number of sizes and casings. Sizes are 700c x 38, 42 and 650b x 47mm and the casings are Light and Supple, Light and Supple Tan and Durable Bead-to-Bead.

We tested the 42mm version in the Light and Supple — Tan casing. Think Light and Supple is just marketing? Our 42mm tire tipped the scales at 445g. That’s quite light.

The Light and Supple — Tan has a list weight that is 60g lighter than the Light and Supple casing, giving you weight savings with the classic look.

For comparison, 445g is few grams more than the more aggressive 38mm Ritchey Megabite and 5g lighter than the 42mm Resolute.

Teravail’s Rutland, in the 42mm Light and Supple casing option, is relatively light at 445g. © Cyclocross Magazine

It also offered a more supple ride than the tires it replaced, the excellent, fast-rolling 43mm Panaracer GravelKing SK. Cyclists might want a few more psi higher than they ride with a stiffer tire.

Could that lightweight supple casing come at the cost of puncture protection? Only time will tell. We haven’t flatted yet.

Want to turn up the volume from your 40mm gravel tires? While listed tire widths keep growing, tire companies measure their tires differently, so don’t assume this will be bigger than your tire.

The 42mm Rutland measures 103mm bead-to-bead. That’s 10mm less than a 42mm Challenge Gravel Grinder and 6mm less than the Resolute. [Why we measure bead-to-bead].

That translates into a slightly narrower profile than these tires when inflated on a rim. On a 21.6mm internal width rim, the Rutland at 30 psi measured out to be 41.3mm, and a 23mm wide rim should be pretty close to spec.

Teravail’s Rutland, its latest gravel and mixed terrain tire, was a snap to set up with a compressor pump. © Cyclocross Magazine

Stay tuned as we put more miles on the Rutland in both 38mm and 42mm versions.

Teravail Rutland Specs

Tire Tested: 700c x 42mm
Casing: Light and Supple — Tan
Price: $55
Weight: 445g (actual), 440g (list)
Width: 103mm bead-to-bead (700c x 42mm)

Other Widths: 700c x 38mm; 650b x 47mm
Other Casings: Light and Supple, Durable Bead-to-Bead

More Info: teravail.com

The post Review: Teravail Unveils New Rutland Tires with Knobs for Gravel Grip appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

The company’s first bike was the V+1, a dual-wheel gravel, cyclocross and adventure option with tire clearance for 700c x 42mm or 650b x 2″ tires. The name is, of course, a play on the N+1 ethos the bike industry is known for.

[caption id="attachment_133737" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Vielo V+1 UD carbon gravel bike boasts an ultralight 790g frame, clean lines, and clearance for 700cx42mm or 650bx2″ tires without a dropped chainstay. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Vielo prioritizes clean lines, with hoses, housing, fender mounts and seat post clamps routed internally and hidden.

[caption id="attachment_133740" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Vielo prioritizes clean lines and hides the seat clamp bolt underneath the top tube. The Vielo V+1 UDG carbon gravel bike. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The top-shelf UD version frame weighs just 790g (claimed), while the more affordable UDG version gets a different carbon layup to create a 900g frame.

[caption id="attachment_133736" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Vielo V+1 UDG carbon gravel bike (foreground) is a slightly heavier, more affordable version of the UD in the back. Frames are identical in geometry and features. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The dual wheel-design and lightweight frames offered in two layups take some cues from Open Cycles Open Up and U.P.P.E.R. that we also first saw at Sea Otter years ago.

Vielo’s boutique pricing also may remind some of Open Cycle’s model, as the company isn’t looking to undercut big names by taking out the middleman. The UD frameset retails for $3,899, while the slightly heavier UDG retails for $3,199.

The company is looking to sell through dealers and is hoping to build up its U.S. dealer network, but it will also offer its frames and complete bikes directly to consumers, just not at the scale and pricing of new direct-to-consumer Viathon of Walmart.

[caption id="attachment_133739" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Vielo V+1 UD carbon gravel bike is coming to the States, and while you wait, start saving. The flagship frameset is $3899, while the UDG reatils for $3199. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The company also just launched its uniquely-shaped 1x-only R+1 road bike, a bike that is built around 30mm road tires and should accept most cyclocross tires.

For a closer look at the Vielo V+1, see the photo gallery below.

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

More info: vielo.cc

Photo Gallery: Vielo V+1 Gravel/Cyclocross Bike

The Vielo V+1 UD carbon gravel bike boasts an ultralight 790g frame, clean lines, and clearance for 700cx42mm or 650bx2″ tires without a dropped chainstay. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Vielo V+1 Carbon Gravel/Cyclocross Bike is Coming to the States – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Sometimes consumers have a better chance of seeing new products at an expo than a journalist.

“Is there anything new for cyclocross or gravel?” we often ask manufacturers.

At the 2019 Sea Otter Classic, on a third pass by the Challenge Tires booth after receiving an official “no yet,” we spotted two interesting tires sitting out for the public to see, with some curious TLR designations on them.

A Tubeless Open Tubular?

A tubeless open tubular? Many have attempted to run the handmade clinchers without tubes, but Challenge looks to be testing tubeless versions of its open tubular tires. This tire was on the table of its booth, but the company wouldn’t reveal details. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

If you remember from our last year’s Sea Otter Classic coverage, the Italian company, best known for its handmade tubular tires, displayed a vulcanized nylon Gravel Grinder tire with the TLR designation, its first tubeless offering.

Challenge released the tubeless Gravel Grinder TLR tire in two widths: 38mm and 42mm. We put it to the test in our review, and found it to be lightweight, supple but a bit fast-wearing.

While tubeless nylon tires are commonplace, tubeless open tubulars are not. The supple, handmade casings are typically not very air tight without a tube, the bead shapes are rounded instead of boxy, and often they’re not very tight on the rim. All that adds up to a problematic, if not unreliable setup.

Might Challenge Tires have overcome these challenges? When pressed about the 30mm Strada Bianca open tubular with the TLR hot patch out on its table, the company said it’s always testing new products, but warned the label may not be accurate. Hmm.

Perhaps one day in the near future gravel and cyclocross racers might enjoy the supple ride of an open tubular on their modern tubeless wheels.

Challenge Tires Tubeless Tubulars?

The company also had a glue-on traditional tubular with the TLR designation.

Challenge Tires wouldn’t say much about this tubular, and suggested the labeling might not be perfect, but this 36mm tubular was marked TLR, the company’s designation for tubeless. A tubeless tubular should work better with sealant and plugs. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Tubeless tubulars aren’t the norm. While Tufo and Donnelly tires are tubeless tubulars, handmade tubulars from companies like FMB, Dugast, and Challenge typically rely on latex inner tubes. The 36mm, 260 tpi TLR Strada Bianca tubular we spied might be evidence than Challenge is still eyeing opportunities for tubulars in gravel, for consumers and perhaps for its sponsored cyclocross legend and DK200 participant, Sven Nys.

A tubeless tubular might handle sealant better and allow for the use of plugs in the case of bigger punctures. But if you shred a sidewall or have a big cut? Life might get harder if you’re 30 miles from civilization and don’t have a gravel follow car. Hopefully, you’re wearing your pre-glued spare.

The company did show evidence of its recent product testing. Challenge Tires’ Morgan Nicol held up a piece of flint rock that punctured one of its tires during a test ride.

Challenge Tires has been testing its various gravel offerings on the flint-filled hills of the Midwest. This specific rock caused a puncture in product testing. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Challenge Tires emphasized its hot patch labels aren’t final and may not be accurate, but that could perhaps refer to the printed tire pressure or size designations, not the TLR label.

The company has been talking a lot about standardization both in construction and labeling, and at Sea Otter, it helped organize an informal symposium between wheel companies and tire companies to discuss ETRTO standards around tubeless tire sizing and pressures.

Many of the tire and wheel companies gathered to discuss and debate tire and wheel standards. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The topic has been much much discussed, without complete consensus in the industry as to direction, timing and standardization. Stay tuned for more on this.

Cyclocross Still Featured

Thankfully for cyclocross purists, it wasn’t all gravel grinding and standards debate at the Challenge booth.

Although we didn’t see them last cyclocross season, the nylon TLR versions of the popular cyclocross tires look to be ready for this fall.

We didn’t see them last season, but the tubeless TLR cyclocross tires are now in production. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The company is never shy about displaying its world championship pedigree, and had an Eli Iserbyt autographed Limus Team Edition on display.

Challenge Tires was showing off one if its cyclocross World Championship-winning tires, autographed by one of 2018 champs, Eli Iserbyt. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

More info: challengetech.it

The post Spotted: Challenge TLR Tubeless Handmade Clinchers and Tubulars appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Saturday’s Barry-Roubaix gravel race Barry-Roubaix gravel race in Hastings, Michigan had some killer close finishes.

Although the event has had a 100-mile distance for the last two years, the marquee race is the 62-miler. There was a bit of cash on the line, with $1,200 going to the top woman and man and payouts totaling $12,000.

Both Open races came down to the line.

In the Women’s race, Kae Takeshita (Panaracer / Factor p/b Bicycle X-Change) edged out Emma Swartz (Trek Factory Racing CX) to get the win. Mary Penta finished third, Allison Schroeder (PSIMET Racing) fourth and Susan Vigland (Hagerty Cycling Team) fifth.

For the third straight year Mat Stephens (Panaracer / Factor p/b Bicycle X-Change) came out on top in the Open Men’s race. He beat Thomas Humphreys (Foundation CCB), who finished with the same time. Vitor Succo Schizzi (Foundation CCB) finished third, Ben Schmutte (First Internet Bank Cycling) fourth and John Borstelmann (Panaracer / Factor p/b Bicycle X-Change) fifth.

The 100-mile winners were Dianna Rieger-Roberts (Spokes) for the women and Michael Simonson (3T / Q+M) for the men.

Top 50 finishers in the 62-mile race are below.

Results for all distances are available here.

Featured image: Rob Meendering

Women's Top 50: 2019 Barry-Roubaix

Men's Top 50: 2019 Barry-Roubaix

The post Gravel Race: Killer Close Finishes at the 2019 Barry-Roubaix appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

[caption id="attachment_133793" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Noble GX1 gravel bike is made from Reynolds 653 steel, features an Ultegra drivetrain and retails for $2999. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The small Seattle-area brand focuses solely on bikes designed to get dirty. It has two full suspension mountain bike models, three gravel bikes and one cyclocross model.

First, some clarification. Unlike with other companies, the company’s numbering system doesn’t represent the price point or level but rather, the frame material. In the gravel line, the GX1 is steel, GX3 is alloy and GX5 is carbon.

In the gravel line, the Rival-equipped GX3 is the most affordable at $1,999, while the steel and carbon models retail for $2,999.

[caption id="attachment_133797" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The $1999 Noble GX3 aluminum gravel bike comes with Rival 1, a 10-42t XD cassette, and Stans No Tubes Grail wheels. Noble cyclocross and gravel bikes. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Noble’s founder Mark Landsaat previously worked at Raleigh, and perhaps some of the colors and product offerings show some of the connection. The GX3’s color, for example reminds us of the Raleigh RX24, while the new GX1 shares some similarities with an updated Raleigh Tamland.

At the show we saw the in-production CX3 alloy cyclocross bike. The value-oriented $1,999 Rival-equipped bike is race-ready with Stan’s NoTubes Grail Mk3 wheels, Donnelly PDX tires and a 1x drivetrain.

[caption id="attachment_133798" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Noble cyclocross CX3 aluminum bike pairs SRAM Rival 1 and Stans NoTubes wheels to create a value-oriented race bike at $1999. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The carbon GX5 gravel bike boasts SRAM Force 1 components, Stan’s NoTubes Grail wheels and Donnelly MSO 40mm tires. Stay tuned for a full review on this lightweight $2,999 model.

[caption id="attachment_133799" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Clean, minimalist dropouts, internal routing and fender mounts offer versatility and foul weather protection. Noble cyclocross and gravel bikes. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The latest offering is the Reynolds 653 steel GX1 bike. The Ultegra 2x-equipped bike also retails for $2,999 and could be considered an updated Raleigh Tamland, given Landsaat’s background. The bike was unveiled at Sea Otter and should be coming later this season.

[caption id="attachment_133792" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Noble Reynolds 653 GX3 gravel bike could be considered to be an updated Tamland, as Noble’s Mark Landsaat’s previous role was at Raleigh. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Noble bikes are available directly to consumers through its website.

For a closer look at Noble’s bikes, see the photo gallery below.

More info: noble-bikes.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Noble Bikes Cyclocross and Gravel Bikes

The Noble cyclocross CX3 aluminum bike pairs SRAM Rival 1 and Stan’s NoTubes wheels to create a value-oriented race bike at $1999. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Noble Bikes Unveils New CX3 Alloy Cyclocross and GX1 Steel Gravel Bikes – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Look Cycle of France introduced its new 765 Gravel RS carbon bike at Sea Otter this year.

According to Brad Cole of Look USA, the 765 Gravel RS leans unapologetically towards the road side of the gravel bike spectrum but has clearance for 700c x 40mm or 650b x 2.1″ tires.

[caption id="attachment_133805" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] New Look 765 Gravel RS[/caption]

Look sent us a Force 1 765 Gravel RS for review. This In Review spotlight takes a first look at the bike and offers our initial ride impressions.

The Frame

The RS moniker stands for “Racing Sport.” Given the racing intent, Look uses its top-end carbon on the bike to gain the lowest weight with best ride characteristics.

The 765 Gravel RS adds “3D Wave” chainstays, shaped to deflect and offer a claimed 15 percent more vertical flex without sacrificing lateral stiffness.

[caption id="attachment_133810" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The upper flex point of the 3D Wave seatstays on the Look 765 Gravel RS. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The drive-side chainstays are dropped for increased tire and chain ring clearance.

[caption id="attachment_133809" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Look 765 Gravel uses a drop stay design for tire and chain ring clearance. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Though Look says the bike leans more towards road than mountain, the geometry is decidedly gravel with a slack head tube angle of 70.5 degrees paired with a 50mm fork offset. With the 700c x 37mm WTB Riddler tires, that yields a 72mm trail calculation, a centimeter longer than traditional cyclocross race bikes. The chainstay length is 42.0cm, and the BB drop is 7.0cm.

It’s the first frame we’ve seen that uses the Mavic Speed Release front thru-axle system. The frame has a threaded compatible nut in place as usual. Opposite is an open dropout that appears much like dropouts of old.

[caption id="attachment_133807" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Dropout on the fork of the Look 765 Gravel? It’s not for quick release but for compatibility with the Mavic Speed Release system. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The thru-axle stays with the Mavic hub. To remove the wheel, the axle is unthreaded as usual. It slides out about 2 cm where the axle is thinner and that slides out through the frame dropout. In use, it works quite well. It is indeed speedier, and you do not have to worry about where you placed the axle!

If you are looking for mounts, the 765 Gravel RS has plenty for bottles, but not as many for other uses. There are 4 bottle mount locations with 10 bolts but nothing on the fork or in the rear for a rack or fenders.

The Build

Look offers the 765 Gravel RS in three different builds right now—Shimano Ultegra and 105 and SRAM Force 1. Our review bike features the Force 1 build.

A 42t X-Sync chain ring is attached to the Force 1 crankset for the 1x build. The rear Force 1 derailleur shifts over a PG-1170 11-36t cassette.

The flat mount hydraulic disc brakes are SRAM Force HRD with the same shift/brake levers.

Stock wheels on the Force 1 bike are Mavic Allroad Disc Tubeless. The alloy tubeless-ready wheels have a gravel-ready 22mm internal width and a claimed weight of 1,890g. We weighed the front wheel alone at 890g, so the heavyish claimed weight is likely near correct.

Stock tires are the abovementioned 700c x 37mm WTB Riddlers. The Riddlers come on all three builds.

[caption id="attachment_133808" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The fork has plenty of clearance with at 37mm WTB Riddlers in place. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Look 765 Gravel RS follows the integrated cockpit style of the 795 RS  road bikes and the 989/987 RS mountain bikes. The 765 Gravel uses a standard round steerer with the stem and spacers shaped to give the integrated look. The design still allows the user to swap to another brand of stem.

[caption id="attachment_133817" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The 765 Gravel RS has an integrated-style stem that still allows you to swap in your own. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Our review bike weighs 19.5 pounds with Look X-Track carbon/Ti pedals. The frame alone has a claimed weight of 1,200g.

The $4,500 Force 1 build is currently the top-of-the-line. The builds start at $3,500 for the Shimano 105 drivetrain, and the Ultegra 2x costs $4,000 with Mavic RS 370 wheels. The frameset alone is $3,000.

Initial Ride Impressions

We have a 56cm Force 1 bike for review and have taken it on a few rides in real conditions. The first impression is that Cole was not joking in his comment about the bike’s road leanings.

The front wheel is further out in front of you thanks to the slack head tube angle and slightly increased fork rake. Those parameters will play a role later in our initial ride.

We began on pavement and the bike just took off from under us with the first pedal stroke. The road took us for a short climb and the efficiency is remarkable. Immediate uphill acceleration with increased effort brings a big smile, and that’s with a 19.5-pound bike and 30psi with tubes in the WTB Riddler 700c x 37mm tires. Road cornering is precise and confident.

Off-road, the bike tracks well, and the efficiency when powering off the smooth track over roots and small rocks is impressive. If you have to lay it out for a short ride-up, the bike transfers your effort to the rear tire.

[caption id="attachment_133815" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Look 765 Gravel RS is UCI approved. The E765 Gravel is not. Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The front end doesn’t wander, despite the longish front center that makes the front wheel appear a bit out in front of you compared to a pure road machine or older ’cross bikes with a more aggressive front end. This might feel like an ideal one-hour cyclocross racer!

However, during our first rides, the stiffness that offers excellent road manners, handling and acceleration makes the bike skip around on those same roots and small rocks. It’s great to have the power and efficiency, but I was bumped off my line and had to re-correct in bumpy turns with body english. Diving down steep trails, the front tracks very well, giving confidence as long as the track is not too bumpy.

It’s our first couple of rides and impression with the bike as it came. As we ride the bike more, we’ll see how tire and wheel choices play a role. Stay tuned for a full review.

For more on the Look 765 Gravel RS, see the specs and photo gallery below.

Bonus: Look E-765 Gravel RS Electric Bike

The 765 Gravel RS launch also included an e-bike model. The bike uses a Fazua motor.

[caption id="attachment_133813" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] A Fauza motor powers the E765 Gravel bike. Look E-765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The motor and battery pack system incorporates into the down tube. The motor weighs a claimed 4.6kg and can add up to 400 Watts of e-assist.

[caption id="attachment_133814" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The hole is for a lock to hold the downtube batter in place, the button releases the battery and motor pack. Look E-765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Look Cycle 765 Gravel RS Specs

Cost: $4,500 (SRAM Force 1 build)
Weight: Build: 19.5 lbs (actual); Frame: 1,200g (claimed)
Frame: Look Carbon Composition Customized, 12mm thru-axle, flat mount disc
Fork: Look Carbon Composition Customized, 12mm thru-axle, flat mount disc
Shift/Brake Levers: SRAM Force
Calipers: SRAM Force HRD
Crankset: SRAM Force 1
Chain Ring: SRAM X-Sync, 42t
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1
Cassette: SRAM PG-1170, 11-36t
Wheels: Mavic Allroad Disc Tubeless, 22mm internal width, 1,890g (claimed)
Tires: WTB Riddler, 700c x 37mm
Handlebar: Look Alloy LS2 Gravel, 12-degree flare
Stem: Look Alloy LDS
Saddle: Fizik Antares R7
Seatpost: Look LS2 Carbon, 27.2mm
More Info: lookcycle.com

Photo Gallery: Look Cycle 765 Gravel RS

Look 765 Gravel RS Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post In Review: Look Cycle Unveils New 765 Gravel RS Bike – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Saturday’s Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder kicked off New York’s three-race Durty Bikes series. The 44-mile race featured some cycling celebrities, with Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld), Anthony Clark () and Jeremy Powers (Pactimo / Fuji / SRAM) taking the start line in Swain.

The Ossian Giant course lives up to its “gravel grinder” designation, with over 80 percent of the course traveling gravel roads. The race packs 4,400 feet of climbing into a route that included rutted technical sections on logging roads. Needless to say, cyclocross skills came in handy during the race.

The Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder field included some celebrities. 2019 Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder, New York. © Anne Pellerin

Elite Women’s Race

The Elite Women’s race got its first shake-up about 20 minutes into the race. With three riders—Rachel Andrews (Once Again Racing), Ruth “The Shermanator” Sherman (GGWDW) and Anne August (Park Ave Bike)—setting the pace, Andrews suffered a mechanical around Mile 20.

Now facing a 15-minute deficit, Andrews had to power back to the front solo after getting assistance from the Bike Loft East neutral support.

Andrews, who won last year, powered back to the lead women, and then attacked on the last climb at Mile 40. With an advantage, she raced the descent to the finish to hold her lead and get her second straight win.

Sherman (GGWDW) took second, 25 seconds back, and Anne August (Park Ave Bike) finished third, close behind.

Elite Women’s podium: Rachel Andrews, Ruth Sherman and Anne August. 2019 Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder, New York. © Anne Pellerin

Full Elite results are below in the table, and results for all categories are at the bottom of this post.

Elite Men’s Race

Clark was the early animator in the Men’s race, taking the KOM at Mile 3 and then going solo for nearly an hour. White and Mike “So Pro” Jones (Team Skyline) bridged up to the Squid Squad rider to make it a break of three.

On the technical logging road at Mile 34, White and Clark used their ’cross skills to pop Jones off their pace. The two stayed together up the last climb, meaning the race would come to a finishing sprint.

Clark proved to be White’s latest sprint victim, as the Pan-Am Cyclocross champ was the first to the line. Jones finished third to round out the podium.

Elite Men’s podium: Curtis White, Anthony Clark and Mike Jones. 2019 Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder, New York. © Anne Pellerin

Full Elite results are below in the table, and results for all categories are at the bottom of this post.

Up Next

Up next in the Durty Bikes Series is the Prattsburgh Gravel Classic this Saturday. The series includes races for 16 different categories, giving riders of all experience to participate.

Elite Women's Results: 2019 Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder

Elite Men's Results: 2019 Ossian Giant Gravel Grinder

Results for All Categories

The post Gravel Race: Gravel Grinders Get Durty at 2019 Ossian Giant in New York appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

The bike offers up a hydroformed 6061 aluminum frame, clearance for 700c x 40mm tires with a Shimano Claris drivetrain and Tektro mechanical disc brakes. At $599, the bike quickly sold out, but don’t fret, the company says it’s getting a new delivery this month.

At the 2019 Sea Otter Classic, the team behind Poseidon was showing off its newest edition, the limited edition Apex 1 Poseidon X.

[caption id="attachment_133855" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Limited Edition SRAM Apex 1×11 Poseidon X retails for just $1399 and is ready for an adventure with WTB tubeless wheels and tires and wide-range gearing. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Sure, this version of the Poseidon X costs $1,399, more than double the original Poseidon X’s price, but you get quite a bit more for the premium you pay.

WTB 650b tubeless wheels and WTB 42mm Resolute tires have you ready for more rugged adventures, while the SRAM 1×11 Apex drivetrain serves up a 1:1 low gear and 1x SRAM Apex simplicity.

[caption id="attachment_133856" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Limited Edition SRAM Apex 1×11 Poseidon X pairs an Apex rear derailleur with a Microshift 11-42 cassette. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The frame is adventure ready, with mounts for four bottles cages on all but the smallest frame size. Want to use racks? There are front and rear mounts.

[caption id="attachment_133860" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Poseidon X’s larger sizes have four bottle mounts, while the smallest size has three. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Wanna go road plus? The Poseidon X is built with that in mind. The company says it can take 650b x 1.9” tires officially, but employees have ridden with 2.0” tires on the smaller wheels and 45mm WTB Riddler tires on 700c rims.

Not interested in either the Shimano Claris or SRAM Apex builds? Poseidon now offers its X as just a frameset due to popular demand. The frameset includes the aluminum frame, a carbon fork with tapered alloy steerer and headset, for $350.

Stay tuned for a full review on the limited edition of the Poseidon X.

For a closer look at the Limited Edition Poseidon X, see the photo gallery below.

More info: poseidonbike.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Limited Edition Poseidon X

The Limited Edition SRAM Apex 1×11 Poseidon X retails for just $1399 and is ready for adventure with WTB tubeless wheels and tires and wide-range gearing. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Limited Edition Apex 1 Poseidon X Cyclocross/Gravel Bike – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

One new model is the Day Ripper and the other is a prototype titanium gravel bike. The Straight Up and WTF are among the bikes that got updates.

We take a look at Van Dessel’s impressive collection in our latest dispatch from the 2019 Sea Otter Classic.

Tripping Over the Day Ripper

The sparkling red and copper Day Ripper is Van Dessel’s newest model.

[caption id="attachment_133879" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Van Dessel’s newest do-it-all bike, the Day Ripper, which replaces the WTF 853. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The versatile, do-it-all machine has its heritage in the WTF 853 LTD model and boasts Reynolds’ air-hardened lightweight 853 steel. The bottom bracket got a bit lower and the head angle a tad slacker compared to the WTF 853.

It’s also got the expected set of updates, with flat mount disc brakes, adventure mounts on the fork, a move from 15mm thru-axles to 12mm up front and tire clearance for at least 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm tires.

[caption id="attachment_133880" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Van Dessel’s newest do-it-all bike, the Day Ripper, comes with the company’s cross fork with adventure mounts. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The test bike was also showing off a prototype 27.2mm FSA dropper post with a barcon-style drop bar lever. Van Dessel said it’s also working on its own dropper lever.

[caption id="attachment_133877" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Van Dessel’s Day Ripper and the prototype titanium gravel bike featured dropper posts with an FSA dropper post lever. The company is working on its own lever. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

In typical Van Dessel style, the frame uses a PF30 bottom bracket shell and offers an eccentric bottom bracket option for singlespeed applications.

The frameset retails for $1,499, while there are full bike build options as well, with Van Dessel’s customization options. An Ultegra 2x drivetrain model comes in at $3,499, a Force 1 for $3,899 and a SRAM Red 1 eTAP AXS drivetrain for $4,699.

Prefer a flat bar? There’s also a Shimano SLX flat bar build for $2,399.

Testing Titanium

The company also showed off a titanium prototype gravel bike and said it was testing the market on its possible release. Based on the show response, the company said it’s very likely to come to market.

[caption id="attachment_133884" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Van Dessel was testing the waters with dealers with a new titanium gravel bike. Based on the response, the company is likely bringing this model to market in the near future. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The titanium gravel model looks to be a titanium version of the Day Ripper, with the same tire clearance and dropper post compatibility, but with a BSA threaded bottom bracket. It’s also got a full set of rack mounts.

[caption id="attachment_133869" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Van Dessel’s Day Ripper and the prototype titanium gravel bike featured dropper posts. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The company describes the new frameset as a “thoroughly modern new school road bike,” and it uses butted, shaped titanium tubing for the frame. Given the prototype nature of this frame, pricing and availability are TBD.

Straight Up, WTF Get Updates

We first saw the Straight Up at Interbike 2018, but the bike is now available and has received a few updates since it was unveiled.

Van Dessel swapped out WTB Byway tires for WTB Venture rubber with more knobs. The GX Eagle drivetrain turned into NX Eagle, and the price bumped up a tad to $1,099.

[caption id="attachment_133882" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] We first saw the Straight Up in Reno at Interbike, but it’s now available and has received bigger knobs and tires for more rugged adventures. Van Dessel’s new cyclocross and gravel bikes. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The WTF also received a new color scheme, with a charcoal briquette fade, but retains the same swoopy 4130 tubing.

[caption id="attachment_133883" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The curvy, steel Van Dessel WTF gets a new black/green fade color scheme. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Both updated models are available now.

For a closer look at all of Van Dessel’s bikes, see the photo gallery below.

More info: vandesselcycles.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Van Dessel at Sea Otter

Van Dessel’s newest do-it-all bike, the Day Ripper, which replaces the WTF 853. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Van Dessel’s New Day Ripper and Titanium Gravel Prototype – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Pinarello brought two new bikes to the North American market at the Sea Otter Classic 2019: The Grevil (gravel devil) and the Crossista.

The Grevil is a purpose-designed machine that can fit 700c x 45mm or 650b x 2.2″ tires and has asymmetric tube shapes at every angle.

[caption id="attachment_133938" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Crossista is a beautiful (in our eyes) cyclocross race bike designed around 700c wheels for the cyclocross racer.

[caption id="attachment_133932" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Crossista is Pinarello’s new race-designed cyclocross bike. Pinarello Crossista Cyclocross Bike. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike

For the 2018 model year, the GAN GR Disk we saw Amity Rockwell and Colin Strickland riding at Gravel Worlds served as the company’s all-road bike that was gravel-ready. The Grevil joins the line this year as a full-on gravel design.

The Grevil can fit 700c x 42mm or 650b x 2.1″ tires. Pinarello engineers analyzed every tube and junction to offer efficiency and responsiveness of the top-end Dogma, but a tuned ride for gravel.

[caption id="attachment_133926" align="aligncenter" width="603"] The Grevil has lots of tire clearance, even with 700c x 42mm WTB Resolutes. Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Designers applied asymmetry as needed, and apparently, that was a lot. Pinarello calls this concept “Think Asymmetric.”

Every tube and junction seems to be a different shape. The whole drive side rear triangle is lower than the non-drive side.

[caption id="attachment_133939" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The seatstays on the Grevil are asymmetric and the tubes are interesting and complicated. Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Geometry differs from Pinarello’s road bikes but doesn’t stray too far from other gravel bikes. The 72-degree parallel head tube and seat tube angles are on a 56cm bike with a reach of 385mm and a stack of 580mm. The Grevil has short 42.0mm chainstays and a 67mm BB drop.

[caption id="attachment_133941" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] There are lots of interesting, asymmetric shapes on the Grevil. Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Crossista Cyclocross Bike

The Crossista is a cyclocross race bike with more typical cyclocross geometry, designed around 700c wheels. The UCI-approved frame has plenty of mud clearance with UCI regulation 33mm tires. That mud clearance allows a maximum 42mm tire width when mud and UCI rules are less of an issue.

[caption id="attachment_133937" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] There is ample mud and tire clearance with UCI cyclocross tires on. Pinarello Crossista Cyclocross Bike. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The chainstays are a typical 42.5mm length and flattened significantly to aid rear end traction compliance over bumpy track. The bottom bracket drop is 6.5cm. Headtube and seat tube angles are 72 and 73 degrees, respectively.

Just like the Grevil, the frame shape detail are thought through. The top tube is not only flattened but also gently rounded and sloped on the non-drive side for easier and more comfortable shouldering. The formula looks right for ’cross.

[caption id="attachment_133935" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Crossista top tube is not only flattened on the underside, it’s slightly sloped for more comfort on the shoulder. Pinarello Crossista Cyclocross Bike. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Builds

Either bike is available with a T-700 Toray UD carbon frame and Force 1 dress for $5,200.

[caption id="attachment_133930" align="aligncenter" width="600"] One Grevil build is the $5,200 Force 1. Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Both the Grevil and Crossista are also available as a Plus version made of Pinarello’s T-1100 carbon (the same as the top end Dogma) as a frameset only for $6,000 USD. With the latter, we’re told you can build up a 15-16 pound superbike for ’cross or gravel given the higher modulus carbon lets you start off with a lighter frame. The starting cost is already more than the complete T-700 bike.

Given the financial backer of Pinarello, perhaps the T-1100 model will come with a Louis Vuitton saddle bag and a bottle of Champagne or Cognac!

Joking aside, we hope to take these bikes from the storied Italian maker for a real ride and review soon.

For a closer look at both bikes, see the photo gallery below.

More info: pinarello.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Pinarello Grevil and Crossista

Pinarello Grevil Gravel Bike, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © C. Lee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Pinarello’s New Grevil Gravel and Crossista Cyclocross Bikes – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Cyclocross’s loss has been gravel’s gain, with Raleigh now revamping the alloy Amelia and Willard and steel Tamland gravel bikes.

We first saw the Tamland back in 2013, and it has continued to remain a mainstay in Raleigh’s lineup of gravel bikes. Billed as a multipurpose bike, Raleigh designed the Tamland for day-long and multi-day treks on your favorite gravel roads.

[caption id="attachment_133988" align="aligncenter" width="1230"] Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

We recently received the Shimano-105-equipped Tamland 1 for review. We take a first look at the steel gravel bike in this In Review spotlight.

The Frame

The Raleigh Tamland gets its name from Brick Tamland, the not-so-bright newsman played by Steve Carell in Anchorman.

Although Brick Tamland may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, the Raleigh Tamland has proven to be useful on gravel roads.

The Tamland 1 frame is built with Reynolds 631 Chromoly custom butted steel. The head tube is tapered, and the frame has been modernized with 12mm thru-axles and flat mount disc tabs.

[caption id="attachment_133908" align="aligncenter" width="1202"] The Tamland 1 frame is built with Reynolds 631 steel. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The original Tamland featured a steel fork, and that has been updated as well. The fork on the Tamland 1 is monocoque carbon with a tapered alloy steerer, and it has one set of bolts to mount a rack.

[caption id="attachment_133903" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Tamland has been updated with a carbon fork and rack mounts. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Raleigh designed both the frame and fork for running plush, wide gravel tires. The company claims clearance for up to 700c x 45mm, and the 40mm stock tires fit quite nicely.

[caption id="attachment_133901" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Tamland has plenty of clearance for the stock 40mm tires in the rear. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Back in 2013 when we first saw the Tamland, there was still some mystery surrounding a “gravel specific” design. Now, after several years of Sea Otter bikes being almost exclusively gravel bikes, there are different genera of gravel bikes.

The Tamland 1 could probably best be classified as a “traditional” gravel bike with a slack front and relatively low bottom bracket. The head tube angle on our 58cm frame (57.5cm top tube) is 71.5 degrees, and the 44.0cm long chainstays and 52mm fork offset create a wheelbase of 104.9cm.

The reach on the 58cm frame is 38.5cm, which is maybe a smidge short, and the stack is 60.2 cm, which puts the handlebar up in a relatively high position.

The bottom bracket is a Praxis Works M30 with external bearings.

With its adventure inclination, the Tamland 1 has mounts in a tasteful amount. There are bosses for two bottles, rear rack and fender mounts and one set of bosses on the fork.

[caption id="attachment_133912" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Tamland has rear rack mounts and a fender mount tucked under the bridge. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Build

Raleigh currently offers the Tamland in two builds. The Tamland 2 has a SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, and the Tamland 1 I reviewed has a Shimano 105 build with mechanical disc brakes.

We typically review companies’ higher-end bikes, but my choice to review the Tamland 1 was one of personal preference. In my opinion, gravel racing is similar to road racing, and a large ring to hammer when necessary and a small ring to climb the steep Midwest hills (they exist) are nice to have.

The Tamland 1 comes with Shimano 105 R7000 front and rear derailleurs. The crankset is an alloy Praxis Works Alba M30 with 48/32t chain rings. The rear derailleur is an 11-32t, giving a sweet 1:1 gear ratio for those steep climbs.

[caption id="attachment_133894" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Praxis Works Alba crankset holds 48/32t chain rings. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Tamland 1 comes with TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc calipers with 160mm rotors. Shift/brake levers are Shimano 105 R7000.

[caption id="attachment_133898" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Brakes on the Tamland 1 are TRP Spyre mechanical disc. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Raleigh ships the Tamland 1 with wheels built with HED Tomcat alloy tubeless clincher rims. The Tomcat rims are 21mm wide internally and are the slightly heavier, pinned OEM version of the HED Ardennes alloy clinchers we reviewed a while ago. Hubs on the wheels are unbranded 28-spoke, 6-bolt.

[caption id="attachment_133911" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Tamland comes with HED Tomcat alloy tubeless rims. They are the OEM cousin of the Ardennes. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Tires on the bike are 700c x 40mm Donnelly X’Plor MSO tubeless clinchers. The fast-rolling tires ship with valves, making tubeless setup a bit quicker.

[caption id="attachment_133906" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Donnelly X’Plor MSO tread is a low-profile, fast-rolling gravel tire. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The rest of the build is rounded out by a Raleigh alloy 110mm stem, 44cm handlebar with 12-degree flare and 27.2mm seatpost. The saddle is a WTB Volt.

[caption id="attachment_133896" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The cockpit features alloy Raleigh-branded parts. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Tamland 1 is a relatively affordable steel bike, and so not surprisingly, it is kind of heavy. Our test bike weighed in at 23.2 pounds without pedals and 15.2 pounds without wheels.

The Tamland 1 package has an MSRP of $2,000. A premium of $400 gets you the upgrade to the Rival 1 Tamland 2 model with hydraulic disc brakes and a Rival 1 build. Raleigh now sells direct-to-consumer, and sales are currently offered on last year’s models.

Initial Impressions

So far, I have put a few spins around the gravel block in on the Tamland 1.

Our reviewer was impressed with the Ardennes tubeless rims, and their OEM cousin the Tomcat were straightforward to set up tubeless with the provided valves. After a winter of commuting on 33 mm cyclocross tires, the extra cush of the MSOs was a nice change.

[caption id="attachment_133902" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Stock tires are Donnelly X-Plor MSO 700c x 40mm. Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The Tamland 1 rides like a slung-out gravel bike, with the high head tube providing a comfortable upright ride. I have opted for a 1 cm spacer, but even with the stem slammed, the front would still feel upright and comfortable.

The frame has proven more responsive than I would have expected for a heavy steel bike. One noticeable drawback of choosing the 2x Tamland 1 is the weaker stopping power than mechanical brakes would provide.

Stay tuned for a full review of the Tamland 1 after it heads out onto gravel roads and dirt trails.

For more on the Raleigh Tamland 1, see the specs and photo gallery below.

Raleigh Tamland 1 Gravel Bike Specs

Price: $2,000
Weight: 23.2 pounds (actual, w/o pedals); 15.8 pounds (actual, w/o wheels, pedals)
Frame: Raleigh Tamland, 58cm, Reynolds 631 Chromoly Custom Butted steel, 12mm thru-axle, flat mount disc
Fork: Raleigh monocoque carbon, tapered steerer, 12mm thru-axle, flat mount disc
Bottom Bracket: Praxis Works M30
Shift/Brake Levers: Shimano 105 R7000
Brakes: TRP Spyre-C, mechanical disc, 160mm rotors
Crankset: Praxis Works Alba, 48/32t chain rings
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000
Cassette: Shimano 105 CS-R7000, 11-32t
Wheels: HED Tomcat alloy tubeless rims;  28-hole, 6-bolt hubs
Tires: Donnelly X’Plor MSO, 700c x 40mm
Handlebar: Raleigh 200 Series, 12-degree flare, alloy, 44cm
Stem: Raleigh 3D forged alloy, 100mm
Seatpost: Raleigh 200 Series, alloy, 2-bolt
Saddle: WTB Volt Comp
More Info: raleighusa.com

Photo Gallery: Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike

Raleigh Tamland 1 Steel Gravel Bike. © Z. Schuster / Cyclocross Magazine

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The company first displayed its race-purposed road bike at NAHBS 2019 and also at CABDA West.

Haley Cycles used Sea Otter to show off the rest of its expanding lineup, with a gravel and hardtail mountain bike joining the road frame. We were, of course, interested in the gravel bike.

[caption id="attachment_133979" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Haley Cycles new made-in-USA titanium gravel frameset retails for $3999 and includes custom paint. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The titanium frame has a T47 bottom bracket and cables route internally. The fork is carbon, and the frame has all the modern features you would expect from a high-end bike.

[caption id="attachment_133978" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Haley Cycles new made-in-USA titanium gravel bike uses a T47 bottom bracket shell. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Tan told us he designed the bike hoping it will provide a road-like experience with better tire clearance. To that end, he claims room for up to 700c x 43mm tires.

[caption id="attachment_133980" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The gravel frame offers clearance for 43mm tires. Haley Cycles new made-in-USA titanium gravel bike. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The gravel frameset with carbon fork and custom paint scheme costs $3,999. Haley will also do custom geometry at no extra charge.

Right now, Haley only shows off the road frameset on its website. The new additions to the Haley lineup should be coming soon.

For a closer look at the new titanium gravel bike, see the photo gallery below.

More info: haleycycles.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Haley Cycles Titanium Gravel Bike

Haley Cycles new made-in-USA titanium gravel frameset retails for $3999 and includes custom paint. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Haley Cycles New Made-in-America Titanium Gravel Bike – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Today, we take a look at new tubeless tires from Continental, Tubolio TPU tubes, Cushcore sealant and a Ryder Innovations Nut Cracker.

Use the next button to scroll through the products.

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive. Andrew Yee and Cliff Lee contributed to this report.

Continental Tubeless Gravel Tires

Continental has been one of the last companies to hold out from embracing tubeless for road, cyclocross and gravel. Its Grand Prix 5000 tire represented its first foray into road tubeless, and now we spotted a new gravel tire called the Terra Speed that perhaps is evidence that the German tire giant is soon to unveil tubeless cyclocross and gravel offerings.

The Terra Speed is a new tire we saw from Continental. Continental Tubeless Tires, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The Terra Speed (not to be confused with the Specialized Terra cyclocross tires or Continental’s Terra HD3 car tires), is a 40mm tire with a TR designation, which we’d bet money means Tubeless Ready.

We’re guessing the TR on the new Terra Speed means Tubeless Ready. Continental Tubeless Tires, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The company didn’t have this tire on display in its booth, but we spotted it on a bike on a roof rack inside a Continental tent.

We had to do some snooping to see the new Terra Speed TR gravel tire. Continental Tubeless Tires, 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Company representatives didn’t have any official details, but we’d bet it’s coming later this summer and likely will have at least one sibling with a more aggressive tread.

More info: continental-tires.com/bicycle

The post Ride Aid Round-Up: Continental Tires, Tubolito Tubes, Cushcore Lining and Ryder Valve Tool appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Earlier this gravel season, we covered Ohio’s Baitin’ the Shark gravel race. Gravel racers from the Buckeye State will have another chance to grind some gravel at the Black Fork Gravel Grinder on May 4.

The 2019 Black Fork Gravel Grinder starts and finishes in Loudonville, Ohio, located between Akron and Columbus. The event offers a 54-mile race, and rides of 30 and 23 miles.

The 54-mile race features 10 climbs on a route that is 80% gravel, and the route intersects with the Mohican 100 Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Race course.

Click here to register for the Black Fork Gravel Grinder

2016 Black Fork Gravel Grinder. photo: YouTube

The event offers payouts to the top three women and men in the 54-mile race, and race winners get a free entry to next year’s Barry-Roubaix in Michigan.

The race website describes what racers can expect.

The condition of the gravel depends greatly on the weather and which road you’re on.  You will likely encounter sections as smooth as silk, soft and mushy and others that are as rocky as a mountain bike trail.   The few short sections of pavement are a nice break and are generally more rolling and flatter in character. 

The Black Fork Gravel Grinder is part of the Ohio Gravel Race Series.

For more information and registration, visit bikereg.com

The post Black Fork Gravel Grinder Coming to Northeast Ohio on May 4 appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

If you haven’t noticed, Japan’s Panaracer has been going all in on both tubeless and gravel. After launching its popular GravelKing and GravelKing SK gravel tires, the company has continued to introduce new widths, new colors and even more colors.

Not content on making a fashion statement, the company was showing off two new GravelKing treads, a new casing option, as well as a nutty new tubeless sealant at Sea Otter.

New Tire Sealant

Panaracer has embraced tubeless in a big way, with its new Seal Smart low-allergen tubeless sealant that uses walnut shells as a coagulant. The company says it seals bigger holes faster than the two most popular sealants. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The Smart Seal tubeless sealant could be an interesting option for the allergic or the puncture prone, regardless of the brand of tire you’re rolling on. The sealant pairs latex with walnut shells for a coagulant and Panaracer’s Jeff Zell says the sealant outperforms the two main competitors in terms of the size of hole it can seal and the speed in which it seals holes.

The sealant is also said to be more friendly to those allergic to other sealants, although those with nut allergies may want to steer clear.

The sealant is said to last up to 6 months in your tires. A 4 oz bottle good for 2 tires retails for $7, while a 16.9 oz bottle retails for $20.

+ (Plus) Casing

All the standard GravelKing treads are now available in a + (Plus) Protite Shield casing with bead-to-bead puncture protection. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Any sealant typically has a tough time sealing sidewall cuts, and thus Panaracer has a new “+” (Plus) casing that uses the Protite Shile for complete bead-to-bead protection. The extra layer of reinforcement is said to be 2.5 times more puncture resistant than Kevlar while adding minimal weight.

The + versions of the popular GravelKing tires retail for $54.95, $5 more than the standard versions.

All the standard GravelKing treads are now available in a + (Plus) Protite Shield casing with bead-to-bead puncture protection. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

New Gravel Treads

Find yourself wanting more bite than the GravelKing SK offers? Panaracer has heard you and has ported over two of its cyclocross treads to the GravelKing line.

The Panaracer CXCG (Cedric Gracia) cyclocross tire now has a bigger sibling in the form of the GravelKing EXT (Extreme). It’s a fast-rolling tread available in several widths for a variety of terrain. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The old Panaracer CXCG cyclocross tread, named and designed with Cedric Gracia in mind, is now available in the form of the GravelKing Ext (Extreme).

The tread offers nearly continuous center knobs with block side knobs and is described as the ideal tire for mixed terrain: pavement, gravel and some dirt. It comes in 33, 35 and 38mm widths.

The Panaracer Regacross tread is now available in a GravelKing tubeless casing, and is now called the AC for “All Conditions.” 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The high-volume Panaracer Regacross cyclocross is now available in a GravelKing tubeless casing and is called the Panaracer GravelKing AC (All Conditions). It was briefly called the GravelKing Mud. It might be a slightly confusing naming scheme for some.

While the Extreme is said to be best for mixed terrain, the AC All Conditions tire, with more spacing between its knobs, is said to be for rougher terrain than its GravelKing siblings. Just don’t call that rouger terrain Extreme!

The GravelKing EXT and AC both retail for $50 and will come in black and brown casings.

More info: panaracer.com

The post Panaracer Unveils New ‘+’ Casing, Tubeless Sealant and New (Old) Gravel Treads – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.

Last time we saw gravel racing in Iowa’s Madison Country, it was the insanely icy 2019 version of CIRREM.

Gravel racing returns to the beautiful roads of Madison County with (hopefully) better weather at the May 4 MadCo100.

The goal of the first edition of the MadCo100 is pretty straightforward.

Cut from the same cloth as CIRREM, MadCo100 will have much the same feel but with 40 more miles to love.

Click here to register for the MadCo100

Hopefully warmer temps are on order for the 2019 MadCo100. 2018 CIRREM Gravel Race. © Jeff Corcoran

The race starts and finishes in Winterset, Iowa, which is located southwest of Des Moines. The route has not been released yet, but it will feature a stop at the famed Cumming Tap.

The MadCo100 route is, not surprisingly, 100 miles long, and the race features several categories, including singlespeed, tandem and Masters.

For more information about the race and how to register, visit bikereg.com.

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Now the company has the bigger tire clearance Routt 45, the lightweight, butted Routt RSL, the drop bar mountain bike Baxter, and now, introduced this year, the Routt YBB.

Routt YBB

[caption id="attachment_134070" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The new Moots titanium Routt YBB brings the softtail micro-suspension to gravel 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Softail designs like the YBB have been around for years. Softails are low maintenance suspension designs because they don’t require pivots (and bearing or bushing maintenance). Instead, the frame relies on chainstay flex and either a shock, spring or damper to absorb some of the impacts.

While pivotless suspension designs have largely faded into obscurity in the mountain bike scene, they may have found a second home in gravel. They take the edge off for long days in the saddle, don’t bring much weight penalty and offer little to break when you’re half a day away from civilization.

Moot’s adaptation of its YBB system found on its YBB mountain bikes and Psychlo-X offers 2cm of travel at the rear wheel. Looking at the shock, you don’t see 20mm of travel available, but it’s just a matter of geometry, as the travel is increased the further down the lever (stays).

[caption id="attachment_134069" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] A steel spring and elastomer ball bring 2cm of travel to the rear axle. Moots titanium. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

While the mountain bike YBB, with its 35mm of axle travel, relies on a steel spring and elastomer core, the Routt YBB swaps the bumper for an elastomer ball.

Don’t think you’ll have a ball playing with the shock’s internals? While there are two spring stiffnesses and two ball durometers, Moots sets up the YBB for the intended rider weight and riding style. Of course, you can pick up the spares to play with all four possible combinations.

Moots says the YBB system weighs less than 4 ounces (113.5g), which put in context is less than the penalty of most suspension seat posts that don’t offer wheel movement.

Of course, the Routt YBB is an order of magnitude more expensive than a suspension seat post, but the made-in-USA titanium frame is designed to last a lifetime. It should, as retail for the frameset with a Moots Cross fork and Chris King headset will set you back $4,999 for a mechanical shifting setup or $5,199 for Di2 drillings.

[caption id="attachment_134073" align="aligncenter" width="1244"] The Moots Routt YBB is offered with both mechanical and electronic routing. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Want the multi-color anodized logos? The metallic purple fade logo treatment is what the company calls its Stanley finish and is a $600 upcharge.

[caption id="attachment_134066" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Moots “Stanley” anodized finish is an eye-catching $500 upgrade. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Routt 45

Moots has also made a few tweaks in updating the Routt 45 that benefited the Routt RSL. Chainstays are now shorter, at 43.7cm, from 45cm on the older Routt 45. You still get three bottle mounts and fender mounts, and clearance for 45mm wide 700c tires.

The updated Routt 45 was on display at Sea Otter. Moots outfitted the 45 with a full suite of bikepacking bags to showcase a potential use. The frameset with Moots Cross fork and Chris King headset retails for $4,799.

[caption id="attachment_134074" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Moots Routt 45 all ready for bikepacking. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

Baxter MTB

Moots also was showing off its Baxter drop bar mountain bike at Sea Otter, which we first spotted at NAHBS 2019 in a back corner of the SRAM booth.

[caption id="attachment_134072" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] The Moots Baxter drop bar mountain bike as seen at 2019 NAHBS Sacramento, with SRAM Red eTap AXS and XX1 and the AXS Reverb dropper post. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine[/caption]

The monster cross bike is designed for a 100mm travel suspension fork or rigid equivalent, uses Boost spacing in the rear, a 73mm-wide bottom bracket shell, and has even bigger tire clearance than the Routt with room for 2.25″ 29er rubber. The frame retails for $3,349.

Want butted tubes, gram savings and don’t need fat tires? While the original Routt has been discontinued in favor of the Routt 45, the Routt RSL is still available. At both NAHBS and Sea Otter, Moots had a beautifully painted Routt RSL on display. The frameset retails for $5,799.

For a closer look at Moots’ Routt YBB, Routt 45 and Baxter MTB, check out the photo gallery below.

More info: moots.com

All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.

Photo Gallery: Moots Routt YBB, Routt 45 and Baxter MTB

The new Moots titanium Routt YBB brings the softail micro-suspension to gravel 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

The post Moots Offers Softail Routt YBB Ti Gravel Bike, Updated Routt 45 – 2019 Sea Otter Classic appeared first on Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos.