Zipp 303 vs Single Track

Quigley sent me this photo of his Zipp 303 that failed while he was riding his cyclocross bike on single track. Riding 'cross bikes on mountain bike trails is fun, but I can't recommend doing it with your good wheels, especially if your trails are anything like the ones I ride on Vancouver Island.

No Carbon Wednesday: Cyclocross Destruction

One common theme in cyclocross racing everywhere is destroying your bike. I'd like to see carbon fiber do this. Thanks to Eric for the photos.

Even More Cyclocross Carnage

Dave alerted me to this photo of Molly Cameron, North America's worst European Cyclocross racer. He got a beautiful Vanilla 'cross frame with a broken carbon handlebar.

No Carbon Wednesday: Empella Bonfire

In the second race after buying it, I crashed my Empella Bonfire SL and bent the chain stay. I replaced it with an Everti Ti-Fighter which should be almost indestructible. My friend Sarah shot this video which almost catches my crash. I'm in blue and I do an endo at about 7 seconds. Listen to the crunch.

It's Cyclocross Season

First practice of the season. First Lap. Shifting under load. Ouch. Thanks to Jon for the photos.

No Carbon Wednesday: Cyclocross!

Cyclocross season starts soon. Don't forget to take your camera to the races and then send me photos of the carbon (and non carbon) carnage.

Felt F1X Recall

Felt is recalling all 2007 & 2008 F1X Cyclocross bikes due to the failures of the carbon fork. Six failures have been reported, 2 with minor injuries. Full store here.

Not for Off Road Use

This warning is on the fork of my wife's Norco CCX cyclocross bike.

This fork is only to be used for normal road riding. It has not been designed to withstand the stresses of off road riding. Use of this fork off road is not safe and could could cause sudden and catastrophic failure. For more information, please contact your dealer.

A cyclocross fork that is unsafe for off road use, what is the point of that? At least Norco is honest that their carbon forks are junk.

No Carbon Wednesday: Scandium

These are pictures of Jen's Salsa Las Cruces. She hit a curb riding in the dark and broke her frame in half. You'd think a cyclocross frame should be able to handle hitting a curb. Thankfully, she is ok. Scandium isn't as strong as other aluminum alloys, so maybe it's time I started a new blog, snapped scandium?

Another Casualty of 'Cross

Another 'cross race, another broken carbon seat post. 

Bunny Hop Disaster

If you are going to bunny hop a ditch, you had better make it. Otherwise you may break your steerer and DNF.

Max Plaxton Talks About Breaking His Seatpost

Max Plaxton talks about breaking his carbon seat post. It cost him the Canadian national cyclocross title, but he still finished 3rd. Jump to the 36 second mark of the video.

Even more Cyclocross

Since it's cyclocross season, I'll stick with the cyclocross theme. This time it's a broken seat post, but a broken seat post dosn't always mean DNF -- I've seen people finish a race standing.

More Cyclocross

More cyclocross means more broken carbon. This time it's the bars. Thanks to Adam for sending me this photo.

It's Cyclocross Season

It's cyclocross season, so that means lots of broken carbon.

Race Report: Cameron Cross

Damage report: One seat post, one steerer tube.

Quote from Stephen Kilshaw: ...pre-ride the course. On my way up one of the steeper climbs I literally pulled the handle bars right off, cracking the carbon steer tube in half. No joke. Just pure torque from the arms managed to crack this thing climbing the hill.

Flimsy Forks

Carbon forks and rough cyclocross might not be the best mix either. These forks gave out sending the rider head first into the ground. Ouch.

Busted Bars

Carbon bars and cyclocross don't mix. Drop the bike and they break, as Alison Sydor found out.