Cross is here and it's on trend.

I'm sure like everyone else the ever increasing interest in cyclo-cross has amazed me. It's gone from a winter past time for a few roadies to a discipline people concentrate their whole seasons towards. We for one are really happy about this. 

CX offers something a bit different for racing. It's friendly, good nature is what brings so many people out. It's an easy access point for first time racers as well. Plus the cross specific kit you can get now is on another level with outstanding design. Here's a few of the trends we've noticed at VF.

Fluro

Fluro kit has been around for a good while but it seems this year it has really taken off. More notably it's more about the accessories being fluro than anything else. A little bit goes a long way as Nys shows below.

Photo: Tim De Waele

Discs brakes are here to stay

We thought disc brakes in cross were just a phase that was die off but with bike manufacturers moving away from buying bikes with cantilever brakes it seems that we will all be moving on to the discs eventually. on the other hand some of the pros are staying with canti's. I'm sure as more younger riders come in we'll see discs and nothing else fairly soon.

Single Chain-ring

Going for the single chain-ring option again has gone in and out of fashion and is back in again. The great thing is the option now comes without the need of a chain catcher with the new chainring options available from Sram, Hope, Raceface, and so on. The "narrow/wide" tooth designs mean that the chain stays on the front ring without an issue...most of the time I'm sure. The good thing is it takes away a good bit of weight but also cleans up the area around the front mech meaning less places for mud clogging.

I'm Back!!!

Been away for a long time but looking forward to getting the blog going again better than ever! Here's a video of the Red Hook Crit from Brooklyn this year. All riders walked away fine.

Morvélo Bicycle Apparel

We all like to look our best in cycling, its true, we all just want to stand out from each other. There aren't many cycle clothing brands that move away from the generic colour schemes, but we have found one that we like alot! Morvélo Bicycle Apparel are one of our favourite clothing providers of both casual and on bike kit. Set up by Oli Pepper and Dave Marcar in 2009, the duo offer limited edition t-shirts and cycling apparel which means you've got little chance of running into someone wearing the same design 

(it's embarrassing when that happens).

Here are a few of our favourite designs from 2011.

There were some special edition designs for 'le Tour' that were eye catching.

Morvélo even put their own spin on the world champs jersey.

And finally the iconic 't' of the winged emblem a classy classic!

More detail can be found @ www.morvelo.com

Bianchi-Gucci

You wouldn't think fashion icon's would jump on the band wagon that is cycling, but they have once again. Rapha and Paul Smith were the original match made in money heaven, but Bianchi and Gucci are giving it a try now with their range of road bikes and designer helmet.

   The helmet is made from a ploycarbonate and will only cost the sum of $890...peanuts compared to the bikes.

The sleek city singlespeed offers a retro look with chrome chain and seatstays. A really nice looking bike but you would ride it with caution if you knew you were sat on a bike with a price tag of $6,200!

Oh wait there's another feather to the Bianchi-Gucci bow with this matt black 11-speed carbon hybrid, for the upper class recreational rider, the price tag for this is even more air gasping. Take a deep breath and prepare yourself for this...ready?...it's $14,000...

Bianchi-Gucci have definitely got something here, a load of money and a very elite name tag. They all look good, but do they really need those kinds of price tags??? we think not.

NoFuss, Nofrills fixie - NoLogo Bikes

With the recession in full flow a lot of us are downsizing and generally looking after our money. For the wannabe fixie its not a great time, but could this have just changed? Welcome to the floor new kids on the block NoLogo Bikes of Hackney, London who's no frills bikes...er actually thrill! The bikes retail at £270 (that's not a typo!) and look the business with a range of colours on offer, but our favourite is the Black n Gold.

Interested in buying one? You will find all the information you need @ http://www.nologobikes.co.uk. If you've got one let us know how you find it, also keep up to date with all the other stuff we cover by liking our facebook page...

Calfee Design- Bamboo Bikes

Its great to see an innovative frame builder coming out of the 'woodwork' (Pun intented!). Craig Calfee, of Calfee Design has been developing and producing bike frames since 1987, and has worked with Greg Lemond in the process. Although he has been around for a long time, Calfee is now renowned globally as a 'Bamboo Frame' maker since he started making bike frames from bamboo in 2005. 

The Bamboo bikes that Calfee make are that strong they can tolerate most crashes and are seriously light (weighing between 4-6 pounds) and are apparantly stiffer and dampen viberations more than a carbon frame. We think they look great, but I'm not sure the wet UK weather would do the wood any good.

Velo posers beware, you could be shown up if someone rolls up with one of these to the track!

Dolan Bikes

Ok ok...Dolan bikes are not seen as the most interesting and colourful, but with Dolan now offering a custom paint job on their frames, Anything is possible!

Bradley Wiggins' bike from the Gent six-day event...Pimped out to hell! (I want one!!!)

Dolan dominate the track frame market at pro level, so making sure your Dolan stands out is good, basically so you don't lose it.

If you want your next Dolan is look like your own then check then follow the link below. Also, keep up to date and "Like" us on Facebook! Plus there will be opportunities to win some freebies soon...

Design your own Dolan colour scheme @  http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dunique.html

Geekhouse Bikes - bit different!

 Just found out about these guys based in Boston, Massachusetts. Following no rules on colour trends or designs, Geekhouse bikes stand alone from the rest.

Handmade and customised frames stand out from the rest. Individualistic fixie!

 Nothing is standard in their designs. Everything looks completely different to the norm.

Turn up to a cross race with this and you'll stand out from the boring standard colours. The posers will look at you as if you were the god of all posers.

Want any more info on Geekhouse? Then just go to their website @ http://www.geekhousebikes.com/

Limited Edition Rapha-FOCUS Oakley Jawbone (You only made 10?!)

The ever growing cult following of Rapha is right here, right now! These limited edition (only 10 made!!!) Oakley Jawbones' in the colours of sub-team, Rapha-FOCUS are up for auction from Monday 10th October. My guesses are that they'll go for a pricey sum. Bidding starts at $250. See details below if you want to put a bid in.

The auction page will go live on www.rapha.cc on Monday, October 10, ending Friday, October 14. (bidding starting each day at 12:01am PDT (GMT-8), closing at 11:59pm PDT)
- The minimum bid will begin at $250.
- Email offers to: OakleyAuction@rapha.cc. This is a private-bid email auction with the two highest offers winning the two pair each day.
- The winning offers from each day’s auction will be announced via Twitter. (@rapharacing and @rapha_n_america)