Latest gear from TRP, Hope, Tr!ckstuff, Look, Stevens, Dedacciai
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Hope's new master cylinder converter is smaller and tidier than comparable units from TRP or Tr!ckstuff.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
TRP's time trial brake lever uses a pivoting barrel for a smoother pull.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
One of the most striking 'cross bikes on display at this year's Eurobike show was this prototype disc-only Stevens.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stevens' prototype carbon disc-only 'cross bike is built for 160mm rotors front and rear.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Mud clearance around the fork crown on Stevens' prototype disc 'cross bike is ample as well.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The seat stay clearance on this Stevens prototype carbon disc 'cross bike is especially generous with no bridge or brake hardware to get in the way.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stevens will offer this aluminum disc-only 'cross bike for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Avid's BB-7 remains the top choice for mechanical disc brakes for 'cross at the moment, though that's sure to change next season.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Mud clearance is one of the biggest potential advantages of a disc-only 'cross bike, as shown by this Stevens fork here.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Moots had a disc-only titanium 'cross bike on display at the Tr!ckstuff booth.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look uses compact aluminum dropouts and international standard disc tabs on the back end of its new X-85.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look quietly showed off its new X-85 disc-only 'cross bike at this year's Eurobike show. Interested buyers won't be able to get one until the spring, however.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look displayed its new X-85 disc-only 'cross bike with Fulcrum Red Metal 29 XL mountain bike wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Look says X-85 disc-specific fork weighs in at 550g.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Avid's BB-7 is the best option for mechanical disc brakes for now. We expect a flood of proper hydraulic road options next year, though, as well as possibly some lower-weight mechanical options.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
With all of the hardware moved away from the rims, this Stevens prototype carbon fiber disc-only 'cross bike boasts a rather clean-looking rear end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This Stevens disc-only carbon 'cross prototype also uses internal wiring on the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 transmission.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Wilier Triestina has integrated TRP's new time trial brakes into its Twinfoil aero bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
TRP's time trial brakes have been widely adopted by frame designers for their clean lines and easy adjustability.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The TRP Parabox mechanical-to-hydraulic converter is stoutly mounted with an aluminum clamp.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
TRP says its Parabox mechanical-to-hydraulic converter will be shipping to dealers this month.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Incoming cables are anchored into the end of short actuator arms on TRP's Parabox mechanical-to-hydraulic converter.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
TRP's new CX8.4 linear-pull 'cross brakes offer more power than cantilevers but with a slightly shorter arm than the original CX9 for improved feel with SRAM levers.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tr!ckstuff will offer its Doppelmoppel in a wide range of anodized colors.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Tr!ckstuff Doppelmoppel mechanical-to-hydraulic converter is similar to the TRP Parabox but the actuator arms are turned sideways and the overall layout is switched front to back.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Get used to seeing stuff like this on an increasing number of high-end road and 'cross bikes in the years ahead.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tr!ckstuff had several disc-equipped road and 'cross bikes on display at its Eurobike booth.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stevens had special disc-specific carbon tubulars builts for its prototype 'cross rig.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Stevens includes an integrated seatmast on this prototype disc-only carbon 'cross rig. Though the weight savings of such a design can be debated, one advantage is that it's impossible to slip a seatpost during a remount.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
There's some concern about the thin steel hanger on which Hope's master cylinder converter is attached, though.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cables are fed directly into the front of Hope's master cylinder converter.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai's lone 'cross frameset is boldly disc-only for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai calls the Nerissimo its more "basic" road model but the look is decidedly high-end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear end of Dedacciai's Assoluto RC frame uses elegant twin seat stays.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai's Assoluto RC road frame features a 1,100g claime weight with a tapered head tube, conventional threaded bottom bracket, and integrated seatmast.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DBikes' time trial bike used actual mountain bike levers that were repurposed at base bar levers.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DBikes had several variants on display at Eurobike, including this setup using Magura brakes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
DBikes' setup includes its own master cylinder mount and a concealed cable anchor that physically pulls the hydraulic brake lever.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This DBikes creation doesn't rely on a converter. Instead, DBikes has put together its own adapter system that physically pulls the brake lever on a Formula master cylinder. Not the most elegant solution but apparently effective.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Swiss company DBikes isn't waiting for bike companies to get their acts together for integrated disc brake systems, instead putting together a collection of exclusively disc-only bikes using whatever equipment is currently available to make everything work.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Citec's intriguing disc hub design makes good use of the extra metal required for the disc rotor.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Citec includes an extra arch inside the rim - just above the spoke bed - that they say allows them to reduce the spoke count without negatively impacting wheel integrity.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Citec markets its Ascender S disc wheelset as an option for 29ers but they showed it at Eurobike with 'cross tires fitted.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai uses press-fit cups for the bottom bracket of its forward-thinking Super Cross frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
There's little horizontal surface area behind the bottom bracket on which can accumulate on the Dedacciai Super Cross frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai claims the Super Cross's disc-only carbon fork weighs just 420g.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hope pairs its master cylinder adapter with 140mm rotors front and rear.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hope displayed its new master cylinder adapter on this fetching carbon 'cross bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hayes' CX5 is intended for 'cross or road applications. Claimed weight per caliper is 330g.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai includes a tapered head tube on its titanium road frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai's 2012 range includes this titanium road model.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai incorporates titanium seat stays into its unusual Temerario frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai's Temerario is unusual looking but rewards the rider with outstanding stiffness and a surprisingly reasonable ride quality.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai aims for big stiffness numbers with the enormous tube sections on its Temerario frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Since they no longer have to host rim brakes, the seat stays on the Dedacciai Super Cross 'cross frame are very flat and thin through their midsection.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Dedacciai Super Cross seat tube flares out as it approaches the wide, press-fit bottom bracket shell.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Dedacciai uses tidy aluminum bits for the rear post mount disc tabs on the Super Cross.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
German wheel company Citec is already well ahead of the curve with this disc-compatible 6000CX carbon tubular.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Lots of buzz has surrounded the UCI's decision to allow disc brakes on 'cross bikes and the performance potential is certainly there: superb mud clearance, more consistent braking in poor weather, and reduced maintenance. The reality of available high-end gear will lag a year or two behind, however, but there were still some tantalizing stopgap bits on display at this year's Eurobike show while proper integrated systems from major manufacturers come to light along with some forward-thinking framesets that will be fully prepared to accept the new gear.
Mechanical-to-hydraulic converters from TRP, Hope, and Tr!ckstuff
TRP, Hope, and Tr!ckstuff each displayed their own take on the mechanical-to-hydraulic converter box designed to work with currently available road brake levers. While the execution varies slightly among the trio, the concept behind all of them is nearly identical: the input cable is clamped to a short arm that then actuates a hydraulic master cylinder piston, which is in turn connected in a sealed system to a hydraulic disc brake caliper.
Hope's solution differs slightly in that the cable is directly attached inline with the piston – in other words, there is no mechanical advantage built into the system but the upside is a cleaner-looking final product that also looks like it might be lighter than the other two (Hope didn't have claimed weights available).
TRP say their Parabox mechanical-to-hydraulic converter will be shipping to dealers this month
Any of these interim solutions isn't ultimately as clean or – at least in theory – powerful as a full hydraulic setup but all things considered, the drawbacks are fairly minimal for early adopters that want to go with discs right now. The steel cable run is very short, the units' placement below the stem is generally out of the way and well protected, and predicted weight penalties are modest at about 250g in total relative to a standard cantilever setup.
Jumping on to the disc-equipped 'cross bandwagon will cost you, though. TRP's complete Parabox setup with calipers and rotors is US$459.99 while the Hope is similarly priced at £300. Hope's master cylinder adapter won't be available until November or December but the TRP unit should be in stores later this month.
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The Tr!ckstuff Doppelmoppel is similar to the TRP Parabox but the actuator arms are turned sideways and the overall layout is switched front to back
Look debuts disc-only X-85 carbon 'cross frame
Sitting quietly amidst the scrum of Look's Eurobike booth was its new X-85 carbon 'cross frame, built with tube-to-tube construction, dedicated 'disc brake fittings front and rear, and no provisions for rim brakes whatsoever. The aesthetics were undoubtedly clean and mud clearance was generous throughout with no hardware running close to the rims and no bridges joining the rear stays – arguably the biggest potential advantage of running discs in 'cross.
Look claims a medium X-85 frame weighs a competitive 1,150g with the matching carbon fork adding another 550g. So-called 'FLEX' seat- and chain stays with strategic shaping through their length promise a smooth ride quality along with the relatively small-diameter 27.2mm seatpost and rear dropout spacing is set at 135mm to better accommodate the generous availability of mountain bike disc hubs and 29er disc wheels.
Look quietly showed off their new X-85 disc-only 'cross bike at this year's Eurobike show. Interested buyers won't be able to get one until the spring, however
Interestingly, while the concept of the X-85 is decidedly cutting-edge, a couple of other aspects of the frame are rather traditional, including the threaded bottom bracket and straight 1 1/8" head tube – though with the brake located down by the dropouts, there's less of a need for a stiffer tapered head tube to combat brake shudder.
Look will offer the X-85 in four sizes at a retail price of around US$3,499-3,699 – although you unfortunately won't be able to get one until next spring.
Stevens shows off Niels Albert prototype disc cyclo-cross rig
German bicycle powerhouse Stevens displayed its own carbon disc-equipped 'crosser, though unlike the Look it was still officially deemed a prototype. Nonetheless, it looked ready for production with its tidy post mount carbon disc tabs front and rear, ample clearances throughout, internal cable routing, and even an integrated seatmast that's guaranteed not to slip after a remount.
One of the most striking 'cross bikes on display at this year's Eurobike show was this prototype disc-only Stevens
According to Volker Dohrmann of Stevens, many pro racers are still hesitant to try discs although he suggests it's due more to tradition and habit than any performance shortcoming. More importantly, though, Dohrmann says the major barrier to widespread acceptance in the upper ranks of the sport is the lack of any properly integrated hydraulic system that can fully take advantage of the potential all-weather performance and minimal weight penalty.
Dohrmann also insists that "wheel changing is very fast and easy on a 'cross bike with disc wheels", owing to the fact that there are no brake arms to open up.
Still, Stevens will only offer an alloy 'cross disc bike for now but when the supporting components are finally completed, the company will clearly be ready to pull the trigger.
"Within the next year," said Dohrmann, "I predict we will have the combination of Shimano [Dura-Ace] Di2 drivetrains and hydraulic disc brakes which could also be a good way for road bikes, not just for cyclo-cross."
Dedacciai unveils a disc 'crosser of its own
Most consumers don't think of Dedacciai as a frame company but the fact of the matter is that the Italian outfit actually offers ten models for 2012, including six carbon road frames, a titanium road frame, a time trial chassis, a 29er hardtail (!) and one carbon 'cross platform that's intriguingly disc-only.
Dedacciai's lone 'cross frameset is boldly disc-only for 2012
The new Super Cross boasts a 1,050g modular monocoque frame with a press-fit bottom bracket, a huge asymmetrical down tube and seat tube, tapered 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" head tube, and slim seat stays. Aluminum post mount disc tabs are featured at both ends and clearances through the stays and fork crown are very impressive with no shelf behind the bottom bracket on which mud can accumulate, either. The matching carbon fork is light, too, at a claimed 420g – lighter than Enve Composites' offering, in fact.
Routing for the derailleur lines is partially internal – running through the top tube but exiting out around the seat cluster – but the rear brake is externally run with zip-tie mounts for either a hydraulic line or full-length housing.
Plenty of other companies were showing off disc brake solutions for cyclo-cross bikes at this year's show. Check out our image gallery for more details
