The CX Arms Race
One of our passions as as members of the CX republic is gear. Let’s face it, we all love cx gear. Wheels, tires, chain rings, shifters, derailleurs, stems, bars, brakes, chains, pedals, saddles and seat posts, brake levers, frames, and forks are the obvious. Then we get into cables, bar tape, tubes, glue, sealant, and bolts. The list goes on and on, to what seems like infinite domains. As dedicated racers that sacrifice time with our families, jobs, friends, sanity, we seek similar dedication from our gear. This means we are constantly in the arms race for the lightest, strongest, smoothest, most aerodynamic components.
Only the best. All in the name of CX speed and the PRO look.
As discerning consumers, we are willing to throw down thousands of dollars to obtain these most needed components. We obsess over grams. We examine minute details when shopping for new parts and pieces. We are addicts and the manufacturers feed the addiction with new (and improved) parts and pieces every year. They attest that the new outperforms the old.
We are in an arms race. We salivate and obsess over the details to ensure that our rigs compare with our competitor’s steeds at call-up. When our hearts pound as we wait for the gun to sound, we want our minds to be unfettered clear of any doubts that our machinery is inferior to our competitors. Eliminate the excuse that we were defeated because of, or even by, our equipment.
The question is, does equipment play a significant role? Would a steel steed with Shimano 105 components and 32-hole box wheels perform “worse”. Surely Nys could take me even if he were on a BMX bike with brake rub. So, here is the few thousand dollar question: Does the equipment truly influence performance? If so, how much? Is the mental battle about or equipment enough to justify the cost? What does the CX Republic say?
2 Responses to “The CX Arms Race”
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Yah. The Cold War remains as frigid as ever. FASTER, LIGHTER, more AERO. But more importantly, keep it HARD-MAN. There is no substitute for desire. If new gear gives you desire, great. Can’t put a dollar figure on effort. Although it is amazing to think what a scrub-brush, some dish-soap, and a new chain can do for speed. All the benefits of Record-11 and 56 mm wheels can be quickly negated by a stretched out, rusty chain.
Good read. I keep telling my wife it matters!