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Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
27 Habitat Ct
Dillon, CO 80435
970.393.3487
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Ready, Set, Epic A peek at the Breck Epic mountain bike race.
PUBLISHED AT WWW.MOUNTAINONLINE.COM
Never heard of the Breck Epic? No worries. Here's your primer for the six-stage, 240-mile mountain bike
race held annually in Breckenridge, Colorado. Masochistic athletes battle through oxygen deprivation and
40,000 vertical feet of climbing through incredible scenery for bragging rights and a belt buckle. If this
sounds like your idea of a good time, sign up here. Or pull up a chair on the virtual sidelines. We're riding
the stages ahead of time to give you the lowdown on each day's route, as well as tips so you can finish
without puking.
Stage One- Pennsylvania Creek
The race starts Sunday, August
12. Stage 1 is unforgiving from
the start. A few miles into a 40-
mile day, racers fly down the
aptly named Aspen Tunnel
before launching into a 2.5-
mile climb strewn with loose,
soccer-ball sized rocks. Did I
mention it's steep?
When the terrain eases up
around mile 13, make sure to
eat. Stick with something
sweet; fat and protein won't
process well just yet. After
some tight singletrack and
another grunt of a climb to
Iowa Mill with views of the Ten Mile Range, the trail Nightmare on Baldy flows like the singletrack of
your dreams.
After an easy grade dirt road, another climb known and feared by locals begins. The flume at the top is a
remnant of the mining days, and abandoned mine roads weave through the landscape. Without race
arrows, the area would be impossible to navigate for out-of-towners.
Make full use the aid stations and forget cumbersome hydration packs. Eat while riding up Sallie Barber
so you're fueled for the last, technical descent. It's not a gimme, as the trees are tight and the rocks
plentiful. When the switchbacks appear, the end is near. The finish in Carter Park feels like a party, with
spectators and competitors milling around. After the mandatory racer meeting, dinner will be served for
those that chose a meal plan.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Stage Two- Colorado Trail
The legs are tired from yesterday,
but today offers up possibly the
best section of Colorado Trail in the
state. The climbs are challenging,
but the fast, flowing descents erase
any pain. Never mind that today
also includes Heinous Hill, whose
name alone elicits a groan from
anyone familiar with the ride to the
top.
After 15-plus miles of climbing
steep mining roads above 10,000
feet and racing along swooping
singletrack, the trail dips down to
the Keystone side of the valley. For
the first time, the vista widens
while the trail turns narrow and
smooth. Soon, steep, tight
switchbacks climb to the top of
another section of the Colorado
Trail. Take a quick glance to the
right and enjoy the views of the ski
area. Buff, sweeping singletrack
awaits on the descent.
Before the finish, ascend Gold Run
Road and then navigate gnarled tree
roots through dense, green forest up
Slalom Singletrack, nearly 35 miles
into the stage. On an easy day, you
might just spin down Gold Run
Road. But the Epic doesn't do easy,
so climb back up, and then hold on
for a stretch of downhill singletrack
and the impossibly rock-strewn X10U8 trail to the finish.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Stage Three- Mt Guyot Loop
Stage 3 starts with a police escort through downtown Breck; then the cruiser pulls off and the race begins
in earnest. Minnie Mine feels relatively smooth and fast this morning and the rocks on X10U8 seem to
have shrunk to mere pebbles. Spin easy to warm up your climbing legs because the race will soon ascend
to 12,000 feet, drop 1,500 feet, and then climb back up to 11,500 feet—all within seven miles.
Although you'll be sucking air at the top of French Pass, the remoteness paints a picture of a life without
the constant babble of modern conveniences. Once over the top, Park County greets riders with views of
rolling hills for miles. When the summit of Georgia Pass creeps into sight, only a slight climb separates
you from a section of the Colorado Trail few experience. With punchy climbs and rocky, technical
descents, this is no time to relax. Reach the third aid station and take new bottles and substantial food to
fuel the next mining road climb. After a descent down Heinous—it's not any easier than climbing the
fearsome hill—look forward to now-familiar Minnie Mine and X10U8 trails. Loop back through B&B
trail to the finish and a recovery beer.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Stage Four- Keystone Loop
At the end of today's
race, two-thirds of the
Breck Epic will be
finished. Congratulate
yourself for making it
this far, but hold the pat
on the back—this stage
kicks off with another
trek up Heinous Hill.
After cresting the
summit, the descent to
the Dredge trailhead
feels unstable at best.
Hold on tight and keep
air in your tires.
Déjà vu comes knocking as you ascend the Colorado Trail toward the trailer park—descending here a
couple days ago was fast and fun. Riding this direction, the trail offers buff, rolling sections through
barren trees. Then, after winding down tight switchbacks, Vomit Hill appears. Conquer the first steep
section strewn with rocks and logs, and push away thoughts of the climb ending soon. It only gets steeper
from here. But soon, the Aquaduct trail offers relief with smooth, fast singletrack before another climb
tops out at yet another section of the Colorado Trail. While this stretch is usually tackled as a climb, the
Epic course heads downhill in a light-on-brakes, quick-on-reactions kind of joyride.
Scramble up the next climb before heading over to Minnie Mine—the trail that (almost) always signals
the end of the race—for the last time.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Stage Five- Wheeler Trail
This classic loop on
Wheeler Trail starts
climbing up the ski
area. Then the trail
heads due south over
rocks and roots to the
remote basin between
Mount Helen and Peak
10, passing the popular
backcountry hut,
Francie's Cabin, and
continuing up the
backside of Peak 10.
At first glance the trail
seems innocuous, but
be warned: This
section is nearly
impossible to ride.
Photos abound of pro
riders carrying their bikes through the grassy meadow. When you arrive at the high point try to take in the
cross-valley views, as peaks previously hidden behind their taller neighbors step into the spotlight.
The drop down the backside of Peak 9 towards Copper is steep and terrifying, but the terrain quickly
becomes the shout-inspiring singletrack you've come to expect of the Colorado Trail. Take a fast, smooth
recovery spin on the bike path before heading up the locally famous Peaks Trail which dips and rolls
through rocks and over off-camber wooden bridges. When the log stairs appear, ride the roots on the left
side and then keep ascending on the narrow rock ramps, trying to resist the desire to stop for a pre-finish
ice bath in one of the creeks flowing across the trail.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Stage Six- Gold Dust Loop
Finally, the last stage
offers a respite. But be
warned, after five days of
racing some of the most
difficult terrain in the
country, you're liable to
crack if you haven't
already. Stick to your
normal morning routine
to minimize shock to your
body.
Day six sees the Epic
come full circle, as the
course retraces the final
miles of Stage 1 to roll
back out Boreas Pass
road, eventually dropping
over to the old mining town of Como. Once on the Gold Dust Trail, prepare for full-out flume trail stoke.
The singletrack winds through a dense pine forest before dropping into a deep mining flume, where it
twists and turns its way down the mountain. After twice crossing the river on bridges with almost
mandatory dismounts, be on the lookout for an extensive rock garden. Float over the rocks and continue
to a loamy, forested section where the trees are as tight as slalom gates. Pop out on to Boreas Pass Road
once more, and the spin is long but not steep.
Back at the singletrack, snap in to focus, as the last couple of miles become tire-grabbing, handlebar-
spinning monsters to the tired racer. Across the finish line, that shiny finisher's belt buckle shines in your
hands. You earned it. – Sydney Fox
All photos by Daniel Dunn Photo
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
How to Layer for the Fall PUBLISHED IN THE EXPLORE SUMMIT WEEKENDER
Yellow Aspen leaves flutter softly in the autumn breeze, the tread of my shoes and soft breathing mix
with the sound of chipmunks skittering over the trail, hoarding morsels for winter. Across the valley, the
mountain peaks are just visible above a layer of low-lying clouds. Cool mornings signal the change of
seasons, while warm afternoons hold on to the last bit of summer.
Hiking increases my heart rate, but the cool air keeps me chilly. A heavy jacket is too much, but a long
sleeve shirt just isn’t quite enough in the near freezing morning temperatures. Layering is a must during
this in-between season, but with a market saturated in options, what is the right choice?
The next-to-skin layer is the most important piece. Whether hiking, running, or just heading down to
town, starting with a fabric that moves moisture away from the skin while still providing warmth when
necessary, ensures all-day comfort. Icebreaker’s S/S Tech Scatter Scoop for women, and the 150 gram
weight Tech T Lite for men, are made of soft, ultra lightweight merino wool. Made to keep sheep warm
in the winter but cool in the summer, wool does the same in fabric form. Forget the itchy wool of the
70’s, this is ultra-soft, hypoallergenic, and inherently odor-resistant.
Add a Patagonia R1 Hoody, a long-time men’s favorite and newly available for women, over the top.
This mid-weight layering piece provides warmth without bulk. The gridded fleece interior uses channels
to capture warmth, while aiding compressibility when stuffed in a pack. Used as the outer layer, the
Polartec fabric is incredibly breathable, meaning sweat evaporates quickly, leaving you dry. Used as a
midlayer, the fleece captures warmth efficiently. Generous sleeve length ensures even the long arms will
be comfortable using the wrist-warming thumb loops. Pull on the tight hood to keep the wind out on a
hike or, in the winter, tuck it under your helmet on those sub-zero, waist-deep powder days.
Finally, pull on the all new The North Face Blaze Jacket. The Blaze uses 60 grams of FlashDry
Thermal, a new proprietary synthetic insulation from The North Face. FlashDry uses microporous
particles added while the insulation is in liquid form to aid in drying time, as well as improving the
warmth-to-weight ratio. In plain-speak, this means less sweat, more warmth, less bulk. Synthetic
insulations stay warm when wet, so after a dip in the frigid river, wring out the excess water and feel the
warmth immediately. Add FlashDry and the synthetic almost completely eschews moisture. 60 grams of
insulation excels in the 40-60 degree (F) range, depending on individual core temperatures.
Each layer is only as good as the layer you put over it. By investing in a couple of key pieces, you ensure
all day comfort with endless versatility. For your next ski area day, forget the cotton and try starting with
wool. On those especially cold winter days, wear the R1 hoody as a baselayer with a down jacket on top.
For guys, wear the Blaze jacket with a baselayer and a shell over the top during all but the bone-chilling
days. For women, the Blaze jacket layers under your insulated ski jacket for that extra warmth a chunky
sweater just can’t provide.
Add these to your quiver and enjoy a more comfortable fall that transitions seamlessly into winter.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Find them here:
Icebreaker S/S Tech Scoop Scatter-$75 and Tech T Lite-$65: Mountain Outfitter’s located at 112
South Ridge Street. 970.453.2201
Patagonia R1 Hoody-$149: Patagonia Breckenridge, located at 303 South Main Street. 970.547.4447
The North Face Blaze Jacket-$180: The North Face Breckenridge, located at 322 South Main Street.
970.453.1613 – Sydney Fox
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Bikes All Over Breck Racing Super D at Breck Bike Week.
PUBLISHED AT WWW.MOUNTAINONLINE.COM
I clip in to my pedals and brace on
a nearby tree, listening to the 10-
second countdown. The starter gets
to five seconds, and I'm free to go.
My heart racing, I start pushing
down Baldy Mountain's flank for
the four-minute descent. It's my
inaugural Super D, and this course
does not let up. Racing through
berms and over bridges, I opt out of
crossing a bridge that drops a foot
to a 45-degree ramp—the drop is
small, but the consequences of
missing either are high. I intersect
with the drop landing and continue
through tight trees over a rock- and
root-strewn trail. The trees open up and I speed through the locally renowned Carter Park switchbacks off
Main Street. Built by a former downhill racer, the corners are tight and expertly crafted. My
tirebrraapps through the first turn and I slow down. I hear the racer behind me yell, "Faster, Sydney,
faster!" The crowd echoes his call, but my front tire is flat—better luck next run. On my second attempt, I
push into an anaerobic state, feeling more confident and working harder on the terrain all the way across
the line.
The Super D is part of the fourth annual Breck Bike Week. Organizers added a gravity event for 2012 to
expand the program without requiring a downhill-specific bike. Four full days of free events celebrated
cycling, kicking off on the Fourth of July with the Firecracker 50, a backcountry mountain bike race that
takes advantage of the best trails around Breckenridge. In town, high-end demos run from morning til
evening, with fun and games in between. Local bike techs compete in events ranging from bike building
to trike racing and slow-offs in the Mechanic Panic. Generous prizes accompany free contests. And the
raffle prizes include a Pivot Mach 4 frame. The festivities conclude with a low-key group road ride, led
by the local Summit Velo race team to pedal off the hangover from the party after the Super D. —Sydney
Fox
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
A Spirited Industry Mountain town distilleries are booming. We find out why at Breckenridge’s Craft Spirits Festival.
PUBLISHED AT WWW.MOUNTAINONLINE.COM
It's chilly in Breckenridge, and
we gladly leave darkened
streets behind for the peach-
colored glow of a local
restaurant. We open the door,
and laughter washes over us.
Bottles of whiskey, gin, vodka
and brandy line up like soldiers
at a table as I sit down next to
Colin Keegan, the owner of
Santa Fe Spirits. Keegan's in
town for the Craft Spirits
Festival, an annual gathering of
distillers in its second year.
Tonight distillers pour drinks
for a pub-crawl through town;
on Saturday, we'll converge on
the Riverwalk Center for a grand tasting. Keegan offers a taste, and I choose the brandy. He keeps our
tasting cups filled while I question the distilling entrepreneur about how he found his way from England
to the Southwest.
What are the roots of the new craft distilling industry?
This wave of micro-distilleries came about because of microbreweries. After the initial wave of
microbreweries, everyone wanted to try their hand at it. As they started to fail, some of them looked to
spirits, since the brewing process gets you halfway to whisky. Breweries further inspired distilleries
because consumers are now accustomed to drinking something more complex than Coors and that's
expanded to spirits.
What accounts for the popularity of micro-distilleries?
The big explosion in the last couple of years was started by the economy. As people lost their jobs, they
looked to something that was fun and stimulating to get back to work. Many distillery owners are
idealists. They see a goal and are not afraid to fail trying. The slow food movement has also inspired craft
distilling. Taking the time to make a quality product is valued. Mountain towns, especially, are full of
idealists because they head to where they want to be, not where they have to be.
You're an early leader in the industry. How did you get here?
I'm originally from England, but I like America better for business. My wife is from the West Coast, so
after meeting in the Virgin Islands, we made our way to Sante Fe because we like the climate. It's hard to
be a distiller in Europe. Many farms make their own spirits and sell them locally, but it's nearly
impossible to actually distribute.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
How does the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival represent the industry's growth?
It is a good indication of where the industry is now. Everyone hangs out together and they want to see
what other distilleries are doing. It's a very friendly atmosphere. We understand that we can learn from
each other. We're all crazy scientists. For us in particular, this festival is nice because there are only three
distilleries in Sante Fe. But here, it's very social. Right now there is one distillery license given every two
weeks, but many will not make it. Others will boom, such as Stranahan's has. They became big enough to
be bought out.
What's the future of the industry look like?
In five years time, there will be someone with a vested interest in the industry, like a bottle supplier,
sponsoring the festival. I really appreciate that this is sponsored by a town like Breckenridge because it is
not pushing a product on us. Soon there will be a huge amount of attrition due to cash flow. I'm lucky that
I'm self-financed, rather than bank financed. Many distilleries will find it hard to get the market capacity
they need. Some distilleries are good, but some don't have a high enough quality to sell products. Others
will get bought out. Additionally, the economy makes businesses around us hurt. The bars we sell to don't
have stand-alone managers anymore. The managers have to work the floor and they don't have time to sit
down to sample products to find the best. The financial pressures are on everyone. Another big aspect will
be simply educating people on different types of spirits, just like we had to learn what an IPA was.
What's unique about micro-distilleries?
No two are the same. Some produce a range of products like we do, and some, just one. We are all
starting to experiment with aging other spirits in unique ways. We are currently working on a mesquite-
smoked whisky. We just released an unaged whisky—well, legally, to be called a whiskey, it has to touch
oak. Ours is aged 15 seconds. —Sydney Fox
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Storm Report: Steamboat Springs, CO
Champagne powder falls in record amounts.
PUBLISHED AT WWW.MOUNTAINONLINE.COM
Last week, the population of
Summit Country shifted north. The
draw? Steamboat received a healthy
dose of powder, and snow-starved
Summit locals came for a fix.
We arrived Saturday night, in time
for a foggy soak in Steamboat's
Strawberry Park Hot Springs to
loosen up the legs in anticipation of
the upcoming ski day. We drove up
Buffalo Pass to spend the night in
the car, forgoing real beds for a
cheap ski getaway. (We're Summit
County locals on Summit County
wages.) The next morning, we
woke to a surprise four inches. But
whether it was a conservative snow
report or untracked snow from days
past, we're soon skiing boot deep
champagne powder. We lap
Sundown Express, slicing through
the legendary aspens, turning over
creamy bumps, and giggling like
two ski bums on a powder day.
Worth a return trip next week, we
think. Then Sunday night delivers
27 inches, Monday brings another
nine, and it kept coming all last
week. Three feet of fresh snow in a
slow snow year? Every Summit
County local we talked to was headed to Steamboat. Again we loaded up the car with skis and sleeping
bags in the back, coffee ice cream in the center console, and made our way back to Steamboat, hoping for
waist-deep stashes in the places only the locals know. —Sydney Fox
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Race Report: USA Cycling Marathon Nationals PUBLISHED AT WWW.MTBRACENEWS.COM
JHK feels his rear tire go flat. A
torn sidewall from a hidden
piece of lava rock. He puts a
wrapper in the tire, blasts it
with CO2, and is off. A mile
later the tire flattens again and
he’s simply extended his walk
back to the start. Twenty
minutes in and the number three
race plate and last year’s third
place finisher is out of the race.
Bend, OR hosted Marathon
Nationals for the second time
last weekend at the base of
Mount Bachelor. Eschewing an
11 mile road climb from town
for more singletrack, the course wound around the Wanoga Sno-Park, covering dirt road, meandering
singletrack that, although not steep, could climb the legs out of the best racers, finishing on dirt jumps and
short, but steep, technical climbs for the final twelve miles. With an almost record-setting lack of rain, the
area harbored inches of sand that a late night storm before the race hardly made a dent in.
The front line of the men’s pro race consisted of names such as Adam Craig (Rabobank/Giant), Barry
Wicks (Kona), Todd Wells (Specialized), JHK (Subaru/Trek), Alex Grant (Cannondale), former U23
champ Colin Cares of Kenda/Felt, and Giant Factory Team’s Carl Decker. The pistol rang out at 9 am and
they were off for a 54 mile race.
After a seven mile dirt road, racers took a tight turn on to singletrack, where they climbed quickly and
then had a long, twisting descent. At aid station one, Craig and Wells were out front, with a substantial
lead after less than forty minutes. Decker came through third, and then the field steadily flowed through.
The toughest section of course appeared after the first aid. Although there were no sustained climbs, the
trail rolled mercilessly for miles, while it circumnavigated a hillside, though with a 2 x 10 setup, there
was little need to drop into the small chainring.
At the second aid station the ladies began moving up through the back of the men’s pro field, as Sho-
Air’s Pua Mata came through within an hour of Craig and Wells. Evelyn Dong held on to second with
Giant Factory Team’s Kelli Emmett in third.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
After a fast, winding second loop, racers passed through the start/finish area on their way out to the last
twelve mile loop. Craig filed in to the last aid asking for a gel that no one produced, with Wells, Decker,
and Wicks close behind. During most of the race reigning 24 hour National Champ, Evan Plews had been
comfortable around 15th, but coming in to the last couple of miles he made a jump up near 10
th and came
through the finish line in 9th.
Mata held her lead, Emmett moved up to second, looking smooth and strong, and Honey Stinger’s Sarai
Anderson found herself in third. All of the women looked focused and prepared for the quick power
bursts to come in the final three miles.
As the finish neared, the announcer speculated if Craig could hold his lead against Olympian and reigning
Short Track XC National Champ, Wells. He wondered how the battle between long time pros Decker and
Wicks was going. At 3 hours and 37 minutes, with a blistering pace of almost 15 miles per hour over 54
miles, Todd Wells rolled in as the new Marathon National Champion. Surprisingly, Carl Decker came in
for second, and Adam Craig for third. Barry Wicks was fourth, with Alex Grant in fifth.
In the women’s field, Pua Mata held her lead, coming in only about 45 minutes behind Wells. Kelli
Emmett finished second, Sarai Anderson third, with local pro, Serena Gordon 4th, and Moots rider, Kelly
Boniface in fifth. – Sydney Fox
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
Building a Cyclocross Bike PUBLISHED AT WWW.MOUNTAINONLINE.COM
On the cyclocross course, I'm prone
to crashing and taking corners
painfully slow. Neither habit boosts
me to the front of the pack. But at
CrossVegas in mid-September, I
demoed a Specialized CruX carbon
that helped my performance and
made me believe in an elusive cross
victory. It was stable, smooth, and
cornered precisely. I sat down with
Andrew Frasca, the lead bike
engineer, and Ned Overend, a
Mountain Bike Hall of Famer and a
podium finisher at the 1985 cross
national champs, to find out what
separates the CruX from the cross
field.
Ned, you're a legendary endurance athlete. How important is the bike?
In any discipline, the engine is key, but having confidence in your equipment is important whether you're
a beginner or a pro. There is more crashing in cross than road or mountain bike racing. It's just the nature
of the slippery conditions, the skinny tires, and the short races, which make the pace frenetic. Having
confidence in your bike will let you put more focus into going fast.
Ned, why did you want to be involved in designing and producing the bike?
It started with the Tricross model—our re-introduction to cross, which was a bit of a compromise between
a touring bike and a cyclocross bike. After a couple years racing the Tricross, it was obvious we needed a
cyclocross-focused model. Using our own experience and the feedback from the Cal Giant Strawberry
team, our regional CX teams, and Todd Wells, we looked at what we liked about the Tricross and what
we needed to improve on. I've always been passionate about cross and I've been a longtime advocate at
Specialized for developing a great line of cross bikes.
What's the advantage of a bike with cross-specific geometry rather than a road bike with knobby
tires?
Andrew: Cross bikes began as road-oriented bikes, but there are many details that differ. For one, cross is
primarily a fall/winter sport. For many parts of the world that means snow, rain, and mud. Tire size and
clearance is key. Mud builds up in areas where the tire passes closely to the frame—specifically the
chainstays, seatstays, and brake areas. Road bikes don't offer enough clearance. And road bikes use
caliper brakes, which don't offer enough tire or mud clearance to be a solution. Cross bikes are designed
for either cantilever or disc brakes. You want a stable but fast-handling bike for most cross courses, where
tight cornering and quick acceleration bursts require a predictable bike. This means you play with
headtube angles, fork offsets, and bottom bracket heights.
Sydney Fox writer, editor, cyclist
What separates the CruX from other cross bikes on the market?
Ned: First, a relatively low bottom bracket height. I can feel the lower center of gravity in many cornering
situations, but especially when there is a series of "S" turns that require throwing the bike back and forth.
A lower bottom bracket also requires a little less energy to hop back on, which becomes more obvious the
more tired you become.
Second, the stiffness of the head tube/fork area gives me confidence in the corners. If the front end flexes
during a rough, high-speed, off-camber corner, the bike will tend to drift to the outside. If the front end is
stiff, the bike will hold a more precise line and the steering will be predictable when you need it most.
The stiffness in the bottom bracket area makes the CruX really efficient when you stand up and sprint out
of a turn, which is one of the definitions of cross racing. You want to get back up to speed as fast as
possible coming out of a turn. Also, the bike is light, which is especially helpful when lifting it over
barriers or running up a long flight of steps.
Andrew: The tapered head tube really ties into the size of the joint where the down tube meets the head
tube. With tapered head tubes, you have more material at the head tube/down tube joint and that greatly
improves front-end stiffness. On carbon bikes you can get improved fiber alignment and take more
advantage of larger surface areas. Head angle, fork offset, and the resulting trail—the horizontal distance
measured at the ground between the head angle centerline and a vertical line dropped from the front
axle—all work together to impact handling. There are other aspects of frame geometry that factor in, but
in general, if you have a short trail, you will have pretty quick handling, whereas a longer trail equals
more stability.
You have to find that magic balance between twitchy handling and stability that is appropriate for cross
bikes. We put a lot of time and energy into determining the rider's needs. It's not fluff. One of the first
questions asked in many of our project planning meetings and all the way through the design review
process is, "How will the rider benefit?" We have a pretty established focus here at Specialized. If it's not
an improvement that benefits the rider, why bother? During the development process we test a number of
iterations, we try new ideas, we ask questions and listen to the answers. We focus on ride quality and
performance. The feedback we've been getting on the CruX indicates our efforts have paid off.
What is your take on disc brakes for cross?
Andrew: I am all for disc brakes. Of course, the industry is in transition and when the cross/road-specific
disc brake technology advances to the point that they are as good as mountain bike brakes, there will be
no turning back. I can certainly appreciate the perspective of the purists, and I think the cantilever option
will be around for a long time to come. With that said, the performance benefit of disc brakes on the
horizon cannot be ignored. It's a little short sighted to discount disc brakes based on the brake tech
available today in cross. It is going to improve by huge amounts. —Sydney Fox