The bike that won Adam Craig a tattoo
Win singlespeed ’cross world champs, get inked. Craig's not scared
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In most races, when you cross the finish line, the pain stops. If you win the just-about-anything-goes Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, more pain awaits as the tattoo gun hums. As testament to the spirit of the preposterous-over-pretentiousness event, the winner, by rule, must get a SSCXWC tattoo.
- Welcome to the world’s weirdest cyclocross race
- Pro bike: Sven Nys’ custom Trek Crockett SS
- 10 ways cyclocross is like heavy drinking
This year, Giant’s Adam Craig rallied his way through cornfields, spear-wielding Ewoks, giant-ball mud pits, a pond and more en route to winning his fifth title — ahead of an actual former world ’cross champion Sven Nys, no less.
The legendary Belgian does not show fear on the race course. But was Nys perhaps a little bit skeered of a tattoo? That we may never know.

For the second consecutive year, Craig piloted a machine with flat bars instead of the traditional drop bar.
To celebrate the tenth annual edition of SSCXWC, Giant did a one-off custom paint design for Craig, based on a 2016 TCX SLR SS that was produced in small numbers.
“The out-of-this world Galaxy theme is inspired by the event and Carl Sagan, of course,” Giant marketing director An Le told BikeRadar. “The design is a colab between Adam and a few folks here at Giant. We wanted a theme that tied in with SSCXWCxPDX and its nebula-vibe. Once the design was nailed, we worked with Splat, a local Oregon paint shop to bring it to life. Strong Oregon/Pacific Northwest connection here with Adam (a resident of Bend, Oregon), Splat and the event.”

What gear does a guy like Craig pick when he can only pick one? Why, a 38×16, of course.
Check out the gallery above for a closer look at the bike — and the tattoo.

Adam Craig’s Giant TCX SLR SS specifications
Model | TCX SLR SS |
Frame | L |
Stem | Zipp Service Course SL OS 110mm |
Handlebars | Truvativ Noir T40 Riser 720mm x 15mm |
Grips | ODI “O” BMX grips |
Front brake | SRAM Guide RSC |
Rear brake | SRAM Guide RSC |
Brake levers | SRAM Guide RSC |
Brake Rotors | SRAM Centerline 140mm |
Front derailleur/Guide | N/A |
Rear derailleur | N/A |
Shift levers | N/A |
Cassette | Chris King 16t Cog |
Chain | SRAM PC-1 singlespeed |
Crankset | SRAM Force CX1 38T chainring |
Bottom Bracket | SRAM Pressfit GXP |
Pedals | HT M1 |
Front Wheel | Zipp 303 Tubeless |
Rear Wheel | Zipp 303 Tubeless |
Front tire | Schwalbe Rocket Ron |
Rear tire | Schwalbe Rocket Ron |
Saddle | Giant Contact SL Forward |
Seatpost | Giant D-Fuse Composite |