Salsa Chili Con Crosso - Finally My First ‘Cross Bike:
 | | Salsa Chili Con Crosso |
For a while now, I’ve really wanted to build up a cyclocross bike, and as a rider who also enjoys a few good hours with a wrench, I envisioned nothing less than a rag-tag project bike with all the little tricks and tweaks that are such a deep part of cyclocross lore.
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For a while now, I’ve really wanted to build up a cyclocross bike, and a rider who also enjoys a few good hours with a wrench, I envisioned nothing less than a rag-tag project bike with all the little tricks and tweaks that are such a deep part of cyclocross lore.
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Well, February was really cold in Maine, I don’t ski (yet), and as you already know, scouring the pages of Bikeman.com. Is a really easy way to pass time indoors - much easier than my original idea of trying to make something that isn’t a cyclocross bike into a cyclocross bike, especially once I had decided that I definitely wanted to race in 2007.
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A full season of watching and covering cyclocross up close as a journalist also clued me into the fact that while there are still some interesting quirks in cyclocross technology, there are just as many conventions that have come about the right way…trial by fire. So when Salsa introduced their new full-tilt race frame in a very noticeable rendition of my favorite color, I didn’t need a revolutionary parts list to end up with a bike that will be with me for a long time to come.
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On to the build. My goal was to keep things lightweight and reliable. Salsa’s scandium tubing made for a good starting point, with responsiveness and compliance to boot thanks to the crazy, but evidently smart, shaping of the tubes. Ritchey WCS aluminum bars, stem and post cut the amount of carbon being clamped on this bike, while keeping weight down at a reasonable price. The WCS carbon cross fork seems to mate up nicely with the frame, and despite its low weight, the beefy construction inspires confidence. The Flite Ti saddle, Cinelli cork tape, Eggbeater SL pedals, and King headset need no introduction by now, and a little red really makes all the green paint pop.
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I settled on a 1x10, ’06 Campy Centaur drivetrain. This will be my first time using Campy stuff, and thus far I am really pleased with the feel and performance. I’ve always had good experiences with 105 and Ultegra 9 speed stuff, and I’m sure I’d be equally happy had I used these parts. But I’ve lusted after the look and lore of Campy stuff for a while, it didn’t cost much more, the shifters fit my small hands better, and can be taken apart for maintenance – important to me, given the use of this bike. The downside (or so I’ve gathered and observed) is that most of the spare wheels on race courses will be Shimano equipped. Chains and cassettes are a bit pricier too. I’m okay with the trade-off for now.
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I hadn’t intended on the Bontrager carbon tubular race wheels pictured here, nor had I intended on any other carbon tubular race wheels, but I got a great deal on them, I’ve always been eager to try a fancy pair of wheels, and I just plain think they are awesome. As far as the ‘lightweight/reliable’ theme of this bike is concerned, there appears to be no compromise thanks to DT Swiss hubs and spokes. Still, I’ll be saving these for race day. It was no surprise that Big Al suggested Challenge Grifo 32s as a great all-purpose tire, and his patented gluing technique appears to be the work of a true sensei.
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Lastly, the brakes are Paul Neo-Retros in both the front and back, with Salsa 50mm hangers pulling the cable. The pads are worth noting as well. Jagwire Sleek Pro Cross Lite shoes mate road cartridge holders to threaded v-brake posts, allowing for an easy switch between cork and conventional pads - nice if you have multiple wheelsets and you are as into easy brake adjustments as I am.
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As shown, the bike weighs in at 17.5 lbs., and with time-tested, made-to-last parts abound, I hope to be riding it at this weight for many seasons to come!
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