Video: How Cannondale riders get ‘cross-fitted
Hearing some of the experts in this video describe the process of fitting a rider for a cyclocross bike, you can get a sense of what happens when a relatively new discipline comes up against time-tested traditions influenced by other approaches of cycling.
Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld – Optimized for 'Cross Season from GURU Sports on Vimeo.
Hearing some of the experts in this video describe the process of fitting a rider for a cyclocross bike, as Cannondale’s squad of riders gears up for the 2015-16 season, you can get a sense — a very palpable sense — of what happens when a relatively new discipline comes up against time-tested traditions influenced by other approaches of cycling. The geometry of a road bike comes to mind, for example.
A brief look at a ‘cross bike suggests that there’s little difference between itself and its nearly-identical asphalt-friendly cousin. This video, though, published to Vimeo by GURU Sports, demonstrates that the differences can be subtle but surprising.
“‘Cross has always had that, like, ‘Well, if I can just make it like my road bike, but not quite,” sort of approach, as six-time USA National cyclocross champion Tim Johnson describes. The parallels between ‘cross and road are obviously striking: lightweight frames, aerodynamic geometry, and a focus, as always, on speed. But with cyclocross, there’s the matter of maneuverability, more than propelling a lightweight frame at top speeds, that determines why a bike should have a weight that can be easily carried.
There’s also the issue of other core aspects involved in properly riding a bike, like seat height. With ‘cross, you’re more likely to sit a little lower, something that reduces the chance that your feet will bounce off the pedals during a more technical part of the course.
Give ear to what the experts are saying in this video, discussing the technical specifics of fitting a cyclist for cyclocross, and take some knowledge for your own riding.
