The Ride (bike #1)

Redline CX

Here it is! This is my cross bike #1. I have two cross bikes, i will take a pic of the other one at a later date.

this is my favourite of the two mainly because its lighter and rides better, but also because it has the better components on it. I was lucky enough to have been given this bike from my Bro out in California as it was his old bike and didn't need it any more. Cheers Mark!

Many people will think that this is just a road bike. If you look closer, you will notice a few differences. Cross bikes are to be ridden mainly off road so, this requires a few subtle differences over a road bike.

The first and most visual thing that sets it apart is the brakes. This has canti-lever brakes whereas road bikes have smaller more aerodynamic calliper brakes. The only reason for having these bigger brakes is to allow for  better mud clearance. i.e. stop mud gathering at the brakes making it almost impossible for the wheels to turn.

   Another difference is the frame strength, due to the off-road demands, the frame is overbuilt, mainly around the head tube on this frame, just to stop it from snapping or bending.

The frame seat and chain stays are also a little wider to also allow for better mud clearance.

My bike currently has a road setup, with road slick tyres and a bigger chainring. this is purely to achieve higher speeds and make it a bit easier. For the cross season i will put a smaller chain ring on and put on some nobbly off road tyres. I'll go into that more a bit nearer the time.

This is a pic i took today but it is not how it will stay. I have a few upgrades planned which should come fairly shortly. I will post pictures of each new thing. It weighs about 21.5lbs at the moment and i will be looking to get rid of some of that weight.

Heres a list of the bike and components:

 - Redline CX Frame and fork

 - Alex hubs on Alex AT450 rims (soon to be replaced, and stored as spare wheels)

 - Dura Ace 7700 Groupset ( Rear Mech currently not on it but will put that on soon)

 - Shimano LX brakes

 - Time Atac pedals i think. ( i use these on road but will change to crank bros 'egg beaters' for off road)

 - Profile Design stem and bar

 - Easton EC70 seat post

 - Selle italia Flite saddle

and thats pretty much it. I dont know what tyres, cant see anything written on them from the sofa and im not moving. 

Hopefully you'll stick around and follow my progress and find out how much bike weight i can drop, if at all. and also at what cost! Also i will post some pics of bike #2 very soon which i want to get rid of some weight at little cost.

You Stay Classy readers....