This is the Belgian's second season of racing in the United States, and his first aboard a Raleigh(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
It's not the camera angle or a mechanic's mistake – Berden really does run his saddle nose-up(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Berden was running Clement PDX tires on the front and rear for the muddy course BikeRadar watched him go round. He often pairs a front PDX with the fast-rolling LAS file tread in the rear for dry courses(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Note the lower stack height of this pre-production Parabox; it appears to be half as tall as the current version(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
The Ben Berden cockpit setup consists of a 44cm-wide carbon FSA SL-K compact handlebar with a 110mm FSA SL-K stem(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
An 11-28T Dura-Ace cassette and chain mated to an Ultegra Di2 derailleur round out Berden's drivetrain(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
A Wheels Manufacturing adapter is used to mate the 24mm Shimano spindle to the frame's PF30 bottom bracket shell(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Up front, Berden runs a single 42-tooth FSA chainring on Dura-Ace 172.5mm crankarms(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Chain retention is handled by a K-Edge Chain Keeper and Cross Ring Guard(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Berden runs a prototype of the next generation TRP Parabox system on the rear. In addition to being lighter, Parabox R routes the hydraulic line on the inboard side of the brake caliper, rather than the outside. Berden frequently clipped his heel on the outboard-mounted line on the current Parabox caliper, hence the switch(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
To save weight, Berden only runs three titanium rotor bolts on the 160mm front and rear rotors(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Berden races a stock 55cm Raleigh RXC Pro Disc with a very personalized parts package(Image credit: Josh Patterson/Future Publishing)
Last year, veteran Belgian cyclo-cross racer Ben Berden crossed the pond for his first full season of racing in the United States. He's returned for the 2012/2013 season with the support of Raleigh Bicycles and Clement tires.
BikeRadar caught up with him in Fort Collins, Colorado, at the second stop on this year's US Gran Prix of Cyclocross. He finished third and fifth, respectively, in Saturday and Sunday's elite men's races, aboard his Raleigh RXC Pro Disc.
New brakes, old numbers
As a Raleigh-sponsored rider, Berden can opt to race the disc or cantilever version bike. He counts himself among the growing number of elite racers who are fully embracing disc brakes for cyclo-cross.
At a time when many North American cyclo-cross rigs are trending lower and, sometimes, slacker, Raleigh's cyclo-cross line bucks the trend, sticking to more traditional, old world geometry: a 72-degree head tube and high bottom bracket with a scant 55mm of drop.
This stock geometry appears to suit the Belgian, who rides a stock 55cm RXC Pro Disc frame.
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Custom additions
Berden's setup is a mix of the Ultegra Di2 kit that comes standard on the RXC Pro Disc, along with some special finishing touches. Like the man himself, the bike has a lot of personality.
The most notable addition is the TRP Parabox hybrid hydraulic brake system. The version Berden runs is a blend of the production line and prototype pieces of a lighter, more refined model that, according to TRP, should be available to the public by January 2013. Dubbed Parabox R, the new system shaves grams by using titanium hardware and composite pistons. It also takes advantage of a shorter mounting collar to decrease its stack height.
Berden's RXC Pro Disc spins on custom-drilled, 24-hole White Industries hubs laced to pair of 50mm-deep FSA SL-K carbon tubular rims. He alternates between Clement's PDX and LAS tires, depending on course conditions.
"Ben really likes to run the PDX in the front and the LAS in the rear – he finds this to be a great combo," noted Jordan Schware, head mechanic for the Raleigh-Clement cyclo-cross team.
As for tire pressure, Berden keeps that to himself. "He's an old-school Belgian – he does it by feel. We start his bikes and his spare wheels at 30psi and he drops it from there," said Schware.
Berden is a fan of the simplicity, reliability and the mud-worthiness of a 1x10 drivetrain. His single-ring setup consists of a Dura-Ace crankset mated to a 42-tooth FSA chainring.
K-Edge handles chain retention, with an outer Cross Ring Guard and inner chain catcher in place of the front derailleur. An 11-28t Dura-Ace cassette gives the Belgian all the range he needs to keep up with his American competitors.
Note the lower stack height of this pre-production Parabox; it appears to be half as tall as the current version
Complete bike specification
Frame: Raleigh RXC Pro 55cm (stock sizing) Fork: ENVE CX DISC, 1.125in to 1.5in tapered steerer Headset: FSA Integrated Stem: FSA SL-K 110mm, -6 degrees Handlebar: FSA SL-K Compact 44cm Tape/grips: FSA cork handlebar tape, white Front brake: TRP Parabox with 160mm TRP rotor Rear brake: TRP Parabox R (prototype) with 160mm TRP rotor Brake levers: Ultegra Di2 Front derailleur: K-Edge braze-on mounted Chain Keeper paired with K-Edge Cross Ring Guard Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 Shifters: Shimano Ultegra Di2 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-28T Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace (172.5mm crankarms) with single 42-tooth FSA chainring Bottom bracket: FSA Pedals: Shimano XTR Wheelset: FSA SL-K carbon rims laced to custom 24-hole White Industries hubs Front tire: Clement PDX tubular, 700x33c Rear tire: Clement PDX tubular, 700x33c Saddle: Fizik Tundra Seatpost: FSA SL-K, 31.6mm diameter
Critical measurements
Rider height: 1.78m / 5'10" Rider weight: 68kg / 150lb Saddle height: 755mm Saddle setback: 20mm Tip of saddle nose to center of bar: 550mm Saddle to bar drop: 110mm Seat tube length, c-t: 540mm Seat tube length, c-c: 530mm Head tube length: 130mm Top tube length: 540mm (horizontal) Head angle: 72 degrees Seat tube angle: 73.5 degrees Wheelbase: 1005mm Chainstay length: 425mm Fork offset: 45mm BB drop: 55mm Total bike weight: 7.94kg / 17.5lb
