Bikeradar gallery

First look: Blue NorCross carbon crosser and AC1 aero road bike

Good mud clearance is a key feature

  • The US$3,800 2010 Blue NorCross carbon fibre cyclo-cross bike
  • The oversized and tapered head tube stiffens up the front
  • The larger lower head tube means a bigger down tube, adding stiffness and better tracking for 'cross racing
  • Aerus is Blue's component house brand
  • Triple top tube cable stops keep mud out of the shifting equation
  • The wide-shouldered fork crown means more room for mud clearance
  • Good mud clearance is a key feature
  • Stiff up front means it better be stiff in the rear
  • The split seatstays are svelte and strong
  • Cyclo-cross bikes rely on cantilever brakes; the UCI doesn't allow disc brakes - yet
  • The US$265 Blue Aerus bike travel case
  • The 2010 Blue AC1 aero road bike
  • The top tube flows into a sculpted seat tube, slippery against the wind and ready to be raced
  • The Blue Aerus carbon drop bars
  • The massive carbon bottom bracket shell is designed around the BB30 oversized standard, and can be sleeved to fit everything else
  • This is becoming a familiar sight with aero road bikes: time trial-like cable routing through the top tube
  • Blue pulled out all the stops, including a tapered rear triangle for some compliance and a softer ride
  • Check out the head tube/down tube curvature - purely for aerodynamics but looks cool too

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Good mud clearance is a key feature

© Gary Boulanger