Features Road Steel conquers mud By James Huang published 9 December 2008 Aluminum and carbon fibre machines may dominate the cross racing landscape but legendary... Comments Image 1 of 27Former two-time Danish national cyclo-cross champion Joachim Parbo(Image credit: James Huang)The bottom bracket shell and chain stays(Image credit: James Huang)More clean lines are found at the rear end(Image credit: James Huang)Parbo's top goals this year(Image credit: James Huang)Former two-time Danish national cyclo-cross champion Joachim Parbo is racing this season aboard a new CX1 carbon 'cross bike from Leopard Cycles.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo says the main things he looks for in a 'cross bike is light weight and high strength and he says his new CX1 provides him with both.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The Leopard Cycles CX1 foregoes fancy tube shapes in favor of tried-and-true round pipes.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The included carbon fork features a beefy crown and legs for accurate steering and braking.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)More clean lines are found at the rear end with the wishbone-style seat stays.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The CX1's tube-to-tube construction method leaves no visible joints.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The housing stop for the rear brake is securely riveted on to the monostay and includes a handy barrel adjuster.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Both ends feature gobs of mud clearance which is good as Parbo says he prefers nastier conditions for racing.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The bottom bracket shell and chain stays are built as a single unit on the CX1 for more rigidity. There's also no shelf aft of the bottom bracket to collect mud.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo was using Challenge's fast rolling Grifo XS tubulars when we caught up with him during his brief stay in Boulder, Colorado.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Apparently these particular tires were set aside just for Parbo.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Zipp completely redesigned its hubs for 2009 and Parbo supposedly has one of the first sets of so-equipped 404 tubular wheels.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo's Selcof bars are cocked skywards as we've often found with many 'cross racers.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A SRAM Red rear derailleur handles gear changes out back.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)An 11-26T SRAM OG-1090 cassette offers wide-range gearing though we can't help but wonder how its unique PowerDome construction handles thick mud.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The SRAM Red crankset is fitted with 'cross-appropriate gearing.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)TRP's EuroX Mag brakes have been upgraded this year with more adjustment in the pads and a built-in cable tension adjuster.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo says he knows that he could save a lot of weight by swapping to a different set of pedals but is unwilling to forego the superior function of his current Shimano XTRs.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The surprisingly cushy BBB UltraBase DTL saddle provides Parbo with a soft landing when remounting the bike.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Selcof provides Parbo with its carbon-wrapped stem, white carbon' seatpost and aluminum handlebars.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The red-and-white color scheme carries through right to the bar tape.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo obviously doesn't race with bottle cages so the mounts are plugged with gold-anodized aluminum bolts.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Parbo's top goals this year are to reclaim his Danish national title and a top-20 finish at this year's world championships.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Pro bikes, December 9, 2008Alie Kenzer’s Richard Sachs CYBC SignatureGet The Leadout NewsletterThe latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors James HuangSocial Links Navigation Latest2025 Tour of the Alps includes 14,700m of climbing in just 739km and five days of racingThe 2025 UCI calendar could have a major gap as two February races are in doubtMaxim Van Gils' contract battle with Lotto Dstny pushes pro cycling towards a football-style transfer market systemSee more latest ► Most Popular'One final push on the road' - Chris Froome on retirement, sliding doors and chasing another Grand Tour Hiboy kickstarts Black Friday with deals on leading e-scooter models 'I want to face the unknown' - Elisa Longo Borghini lifts lid on major new goals for 2025 and beyondShipping rates and €900 paint jobs: A deep dive into why some bikes cost so much moneyMark Cavendish's bikes: A look back at the Manx Missile's machines through the yearsThe defining moments of the 2024 season: Olympic golds, a Triple Crown and records smashed Patent pending: How patents steer innovation in cyclingClogged valves, broken chains, cheap motels - The lessons to pivot and persevere a first year of privateering'It's not even a bike race, it's the Tour de France' - Mark Cavendish on an emotional close to the season, and maybe his careerElite Avanti: A feature-filled, top-level smart trainer at a reduced priceToe straps, TT bikes and zip-tied battery bodges: Six bike tech hacks found at the cycling esports world championships