While the UCI's U-turn on disc brakes for cyclo-cross racing has prompted lots of manufacturers to rethink their ranges, surprisingly few disc-equipped 'cross bikes have yet made it into production – Specialized's CruX Disc being one notable mainstream exception.
Small British companies are ahead of the curve, with Cotic and Genesis both offering cable-disc-equipped 'crossers. Kinesis UK, who first experimented with disc mounts on 'cross frames back in 2001, have gone a step further, offering hydraulic braking on the latest addition to their highly rated Crosslight range.
The Pro6 uses TRP's new Parabox converter and callipers, paired to conventional cable-operated road levers. And Kinesis are so convinced that discs are the future for 'cross that the frame and fork have no cantilever bosses, just post mounts.
While the Pro6 has commuter-friendly rack/mudguard and bottle bosses, it's been designed first and foremost as a race bike. A curved top tube allows for easier shouldering and the down tube has deliberately been kept small in diameter – designer Dom Mason says this makes it easier to pick up the bike with muddy gloves on and provides less room for mud to build up on.
The stays are asymmetric to provide extra stiffness on the drive side, and the 500g carbon fibre fork has a tapered steerer (1/1-8 to 1/1-2in) to bolster front end stiffness. Out back are new forged dropouts, designed to take a 135mm disc hub. The frameset is available now for £529.99 (frame, fork, headset and seat clamp), in black, white or red.
