Jon Page brought three identical Blue Norcross SL cyclo-cross bikes to Wisconsin(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
The Enve post and Gobi XM mountain bike saddle(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page’s bike is set for the mud, with good clearances and TRP’s wide profile EuroX Mag brakes(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
The Enve cockpit(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page uses a standard K-Edge chain watcher; and the Di2 battery mount keeps the weight low(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
White Industries front hub(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page uses an 11-28-tooth cassette(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Another look at Page’s grippy handlebar tape, neatly kept by Enve’s fold-over bar ends(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Dugasts new 33mm Typhoon(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page’s number one bike, he brought three(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
This handlebar tape is very thin and super grippy… it would be nice to find in the US(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page is happy with the Di2 group’s performance; not the stealth exit for the Di2 wire in the rear dropout(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page’s bikes are Shimano Di2 equipped(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page’s quiver minus the one he was warming up on(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Sealed cables are a necessity for cyclo-cross(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Enve’s carbon post and fi’zi:k Gobi XM mountain bike saddle (Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
The Norcross SL is custom drilled for Shimano’s electric transmission(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
The Norcross SL is Page’s signature model(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page’s working class Shimano PD-540 pedals(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Page uses TRP’s alloy-specific brake pads on his carbon rims(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
The 46-tooth Dura-Ace ’cross ring was available for sale for a period of time, but the Dura-Ace chainring nuts, whose profile matches the 7900 crank, are a ‘pro only’ item(Image credit: Matt Pacocha)
Jonathan Page is America’s European cyclo-cross stalwart. In Belgium, where he lives with his wife and three kids, the sport is all business, the courses are extreme and the racing is cut throat. His Blue Competition Cycles Norcross SL race bikes reflect the environment they’re used in—they’re built practically and to excel in the worst conditions.
Page brought three Norcross SL bikes, from Belgium, to Wisconsin for the 2012 US national championships, but only one set of wheels. “This year I’ve been lucky enough to use Planet Bike’s, well Bob Downs’ wheels,” Page told BikeRadar. “So I flew with only one set of wheels, but three bikes. I figured it might be a little nasty, and thankfully it is.”
Bob Downs the owner of Planet Bike and Page’s personal sponsor handed his own expansive quiver of Enve wheels to Page for the championship race. Downs’ wheels are built with Enve’s 25mm carbon tubular rims and mostly DT Swiss 190 hubs; the wheels are shod in FMB rubber with tread options ranging from the new Super Mud to Challenge’s Grifo tread (on the FMB casing, of course).
The one set of wheels Page brought from Europe have the new, and still exclusive, Dugast ‘33’ 33mm tire with the Typhoon tread pattern.
Page’s Blue Norcross bikes are built with Shimano’s Di2 transmissions that are supported by TRP brakes, in the form of the EuroX Mag, and Enve, which provide the carbon cockpit component and wheels. Page’s Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 crank measures 172.5mm and fit with a Dura-Ace 7800 46-tooth outer ring and Shimano’s prototype chainring nuts, which match the outer profile of the crank.
Other nuances of Page’s bikes include the pedestrian Shimano PD-540 pedals, which are said to clear mud better than the newly styled XTR and XT models, and Page’s super thin, super grippy Belgian handlebar tape. “I couldn’t tell you who makes the tape, it’s the cheapest stuff, it’s from Frankie, my mechanic’s, shop,” said Page. “It’s nothing special, but it’s amazingly good; it’s the best I’ve found.”
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Complete bike specifications:
Frame: Blue Competition Cycles Norcross SL Fork: Blue Competition Cycles Norcross SL Headset: FSA Orbit Z-CX Stem: Enve carbon, 110mm, 6° Handlebars: Enve compact, 42cm Tape: Belgian special Front brake: TRP EuroX Mag with TRP pad Rear brake: TRP EuroX Mag with TRP pad Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, braze on with K-Edge chain watcher Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Shifter: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900, 11-28 tooth Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900, 172.5mm, 39/46 compact Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 Pedals: Shimano PD-540 Wheelset: Shimano Enve 25 with DT Swiss or White Industries hubs and Sapim CX-ray spokes 20F/24R Front tire: FMB orDugast, Page buys his tires, thus not tied to a specific brand Rear tire: FMB or Dugast, Page buys his tires, thus not tied to a specific brand Saddle: fi’zi:k Gobi XM Seatpost: Enve 0 offset
Critical measurements:
Rider's height: 1.78m (5' 10") Rider's weight: 65.7kg/145lbs Saddle height from BB, c-t: 73.5cm Seat tube length, c-c: 51cm Tip of saddle to center bar: 50.5cm Saddle-to-bar drop: 4.5cm Head tube length: 135cm Top tube length (virtual): 52cm Total bicycle weight: 7.41kg/16.33lb with FMB Super Muds; 7.29kg/16.07lb with Dugast 33mm Typhoon
