Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) has been tearing up the World Cup and domestic US cyclocross circuits on her new Trek Crockett, more than proving that aluminum is still a viable material for top-level racing. Given market demands, however – not to mention that 'cross superstar Sven Nys is joining Compton on the team next year – it's no surprise that development of a higher-performance carbon fiber Crockett is well underway to replace the current Cronus.
Mind you, Trek has yet to officially admit the existence of such a bike but a Twitter post by the company's Race Shop division suggests otherwise. In that image is Compton, her husband and coach Mark Legg-Compton, and a shiny new red, white, and blue 'cross bike that we expect to debut in competition shortly.
BikeRadar contacted Trek for additional details of this mystery bike. Royce Breckon, Trek's assistant road brand manager, replied simply that "It’s carbon. And f’n awesome."
Just a bit of the frame is visible on Compton's new bike but we can still see the unmistakable shape of Trek's 'e2' tapered carbon fiber head tube plus the smooth joints of a molded carbon fiber front end. Though Trek may introduce the new bike with a rim brake option, Compton's bike is disc-only.
Otherwise, internal and convertible cable routing, a BB90 bottom bracket with molded-in bearing seats, and an integrated chain catcher are virtual givens along with the current Crockett's very progressive frame geometry. BikeRadar anticipates actual frame weights around 1,150g.
Trek's Race Shop division recently posted a photo of Compton's new race bike - which looks to be made of carbon fiber
Other details are hidden at the moment but we can't help wonder if Trek has integrated the remarkably effective IsoSpeed 'decoupler' into the new bike's seat cluster – a possibility we first presented when Trek introduced its Domane endurance road bike and a feature that could greatly benefit any 'cross rider on a bumpy course. Also possible is Trek's long-running no-cut integrated seatmast design, which would essentially eliminate the chance of water and debris sneaking in through the top of the frame while still allowing for relatively easy packing for travel.
Will Trek's new carbon 'cross bike integrate the company's remarkably effective IsoSpeed 'decoupler'? If so, it'd make for an incredibly smooth - and fast - ride