The new BH RX Team CX works for rim or disc brakes and mechanical or electronic drivetrains – all with a single framesetJames Huang/Future Publishing
BH’s RX Team CX features interchangeable dropouts so users can easily choose between disc and rim brakesJames Huang/Future Publishing
Removable front and rear cantilever bosses on BH’s RX Team CX frameset make for a clean look when you run discsJames Huang/Future Publishing
Cannondale’s factory team is now racing on disc brakes across the board, using the latest SuperX Disc modelJames Huang/Future Publishing
The rear end of the Cannondale SuperX Disc features post-mount tabs located on the seat stay for easier setupJames Huang/Future Publishing
Cannondale says omitting the rim brakes on the SuperX frame allows for a smoother ride, since the seat stays no longer have to be reinforced as muchJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt specifies lightweight Ashima rotors on its disc brake-equipped ‘cross bikes. The sparse design is fine for ‘cross but might not have sufficient cooling ability for more demanding road useJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt scallops out the tubes on its disc-equipped F1X and F3X frames, to provide more tire clearanceJames Huang/Future Publishing
Felt offers three disc-equipped ‘cross bikes this year: the F1X flagship, the F3X (shown here) and the aluminum F65XJames Huang/Future Publishing
Focus is offering a disc-equipped ‘cross bike to consumers for 2013 – the aluminum Mares AX 2.0 DiscFocus Bicycles
Litespeed offers its new CX titanium disc frame for use with rim or disc brakesBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Litespeed reinforces the rear triangle of its new CX frame when disc tabs are installedBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Raleigh mounts the RXC Pro Disc’s rear brake on the chain stayJames Huang/Future Publishing
Raleigh’s new RXC Pro Disc boasts a Euro-style geometry with a high bottom bracket for clearanceJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Raleigh RXC Pro Disc can accommodate electronic or mechanical drivetrainsJames Huang/Future Publishing
The Ridley X-Fire carbon ‘cross bike is available with disc brakes for 2013Ben Delaney/Future Publishing
Ridley outfits its disc ‘cross bikes with impressively stout carbon forksBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Internal routing and full-length housing on the Ridley X-Fire help keep the lines working when you’re racing in the mudBen Delaney/Future Publishing
Specialized’s top complete disc-equipped cyclocross bike is the Crux Expert Carbon DiscSpecialized
Specialized’s carbon disc cyclocross bikes feature a novel grip on the underside of the down tubeSpecialized
Specialized claims the disc version of the carbon fiber Crux is actually lighter than the rim brake version, as the seat stays don’t have to be reinforced as much up topSpecialized
After playing with prototypes for a couple of years, Stevens now offers the Super Prestige Disc carbon ‘cross bike to consumersStevens Bicycles
Van Dessel Sports offers two disc-compatible ‘cross bikes, but the company principal recommends brakes with self-adjusting pads, such as TRP’s Parabox, if buyers expect to be racing in very wet and sandy conditions without pit supportEdwin Bull/www.vandesselsports.com
Van Dessel Sports’ full-carbon Full Tilt Boogie dressed up in disc brake trim. This bike is the personal steed of company owner Edwin BullEdwin Bull/www.vandesselsports.com
Colnago’s top-end Cross Prestige carbon fiber chassis is exclusively disc-only for 2013 with a molded monocoque front triangle and a lugged rear endCourtesy
The Colnago Cross World Cup is a close cousin to the Cross Prestige flagship -disc brakes included – but fashioned in TIG-welded 6000-series butted aluminumCourtesy
Two years after the UCI announced their approval for disc brakes on cyclocross bikes, production versions have hit the consumer market in a big way, with more than a dozen major brands and countless smaller outfits now producing them.
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Purists might continue to balk at disc bikes’ non-traditional aesthetics, their increased weight and the lack of high-end wheel choices, but there’s little argument against them in terms of pure functionality.
Admittedly, top-level pros have been somewhat slow to make the switch, but that tide seems to be turning. Case in point is Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com rider Tim Johnson, who started racing regularly on discs last season and continues to compete on them full-time.
“It’s definitely the most commonly asked question at the races – every single person asks how they are, how they feel, and the most effective thing I’ve been able to do is just hand them my bike and let them ride it,” Johnson told BikeRadar. “They’re almost always totally blown away. I really don’t think it’s going to last much longer where [top European pros] don’t think it’s the right move. I guess the question is just getting access to it.”