Bike Hugger 

Redline SSCX built up for Cross Vegas next week

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We’re easy to find on bikes like this Redline SSCX and the D-Plus.

@bikehugger.

Broken concrete stairs

Found a new greenbelt to ride through yesterday with single track cut into the hillside, downed logs, broken stairs, and a wicked descent.

Single track cut into the side of a hill

Big logs

See more photos of the D-Plus ridden in this post lightboxed on G+.

Note: for the roadies, gnar is a shortened version of gnarly and the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors.

With F me pumps on

The D-Plus setup with Reynolds 66 with Limus in the front and Griffos in the rear is like dialing your sleep number to 84 and firmly floating over the single track.

A dream CX bike and ride. Those stiff rims push supple sidewalls into the dirt and the tread gripped the grass, as I cut around trees before diving into the gravel pit. Made it across grinding a 1 x 10, 44 X 34 gear, like a tractor.

See more iPhone photos of the D-Plus and high-rez lightboxed on our G+ page.

It’s that time of year again. We’re out riding the dirt in the local and national Cross scene. To celebrate, we’ve made a lookbook that shares our best gear and deals with you on jerseys, socks, and caps.

Download the PDF to have a look, click through, and get 20% off our Velocity Collection.

Like what you see? Also check the magical decanter that matches the kit.

Pulsing when stopping

Pulled the brake levers and pads pulsated against a carbon rim like a pneumatic sex toy. As the bike slowed from a fast descent, it rocked back and forth as if I’d flipped hydraulic switches on a 64. Running tubulars, I wasn’t concerned about those rims heating up and the tire blowing off, but the state of fast wheels and brakes.

In a short rant on the Fredcast this weekend, I go into how the industry lacks any trade association that either innovates a standard and markets it or pushes manufactures to adhere to it.

Every wheelset in the CX racing quiver demands its own pads and I’ll run Swisstops thank you very much.

My point was with so many wheels being made, you’d think each of those companies could send an ambassador to a Better Braking Summit. Considering their wheels are mostly ridden in Fondos by middle-aged men, they should focus on helping them stop instead of setting personal bests.

Pulsating into a stop sign isn’t good enough.