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3 cross machines for the trails and mud

A trio of machines for cross and winter rides

Cross bikes are great because of their versatility. Weather it’s snow covered roads or compacted trails, mud, gravel or dismounted running up a hill in a race they can open up new ground for riding. Here are three cross bikes that each have something different to offer.

Scott Addict CX 10 $7,800

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Your arms won’t be working too hard when you carry the Scott Addict CX 10 over a barrier or shoulder it for a run-up. A Size 54 frame is said to weigh 890 g and the fork is 390 g. To prevent mud from collecting and adding extra ounces, the chainstays are shaped to keep gunk from building up. There’s even space in the frame to run cables for a dropper post. SrAM Force 1 components make up the drivetrain; the chain engages with a 42-tooth ring at the crank and a 11-36 tooth cassette at the hub.

Felt F4X $3,399

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In the corners, Felt’s carbon-fibre CX racer, the F4x, tracks true and the frame feels snappy as you power out of the turns. SrAM parts get the machine moving and stopping. The Rival 1 shifter activates the Force CX 1 medium-cage derailleur, moving the chain across the 11-32 tooth cassette. You scrub your speed with the SrAM Rival 1 brakes, 160-mm-diameter rotors front and rear. With the bright yellow paint on the frame, your fans should have no trouble finding you on the course.

Ridley X-Ride 105 Disc $2,200

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Ridley, a bike maker based in cyclocross’s spiritual homeland, Belgium, has the perfect rig for those getting into the muddy art. The X-Ride 105 Disc has an aluminum frame and carbon-fibre fork with aluminum steering tube. The toptube diameter varies across the bike’s frame sizes so a smaller rider is grabbing the right amount of aluminum when running over the barriers. Shimano’s midrange set, the ever-durable 105, takes care of all the shifting from the levers to the derailleurs. This bike is ready to grow with you as you get deeper into ’cross: it’s compatible with electronic shifting groupsets.