Trebon, Powers and Summerhill all rode disc brakes and it was the first time ever – to our knowledge – that a major ‘cross podium was swept by disc brakes. Discs are becoming more popular and are noted for their consistency, power, and modulation.
First Professional Podium Sweep with Disc brakes
For anyone wondering whether disc brakes are going to fully integrate into cyclocross should look to last weekend’s results from the Trek USGP Derby City Cup, and the spec of some of SRAM’s major professional ‘cross teams.
Specifically, last Saturday’s race in Louisville had SRAM athletes sweep the win column and all three were riding Avid disc brakes. The Avid BB7 Road SL’s (RSL’s) were ridden by the top two finishers, Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) winning and Ryan Trebon (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), and the original BB7’s took third with Danny Summerhill (UnitedHealthcare). Editors, including VeloNews’ Lennard Zinn, found the recent successes of disc brakes on cross really interesting in this article.
Athletes riding discs claim better modulation, more powerful and consistent braking in all conditions and less mud build-up. The only trade-off is a weight difference compared to cantilevers, which are generally lighter. Some athletes, including multi-time U.S. national champion Katie Compton, swear by cantilevers like the Avid Shorty Ultimate.
Launched earlier this year, the new BB7 Road SL (RSL) cable actuated disc brakes, for both Cyclocross and Road, are a lightweight upgrade from the original king of cable stoppers, the BB7. The RSL‘s upgrades start by saving 25 precious grams per wheel with Ti hardware, alloy backing plates, and lighter organic friction pad material. Falcon Grey anodizing makes matching the BB7 RSL to any of SRAM’s road groupsets that much easier. The RSL is available aftermarket with 140 or 160mm HS1 rotor and titanium rotor bolts.
The rumors that SRAM is developing hydraulic disc brakes for road and cross are true, no details can be shared beyond that fact, but we are excited about these technologies and we will share more news when we can.
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- Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com’s Katie Antonneau, along with her team, has made the commitment to Avid BB7 Road SL (RSL) disc brakes
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- Tim Johnson is all about disc brakes and will accept a small weight penalty for “more power and better modulation.”
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- Jeremy Powers (Rapha Focus) is the current US National Cyclocross Champion, has made the switch to disc brakes, and stated that he will not ride anything else. “I can brake later, they provide more power, and deliver more control.”
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- VeloNews magazine Tech Editor Lennard Zinn was snooping around the USGP CX race in Louisville looking to uncover any new news on disc brakes for cross and road…
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- Jeremy Powers’ Focus Mares CX bke with SRAM RED-2012 and Avid BB7 RSL disc brakes.
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- Powers and Ryan Trebon (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) lead the field, both ride disc.
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- Third place on Saturday, Danny Summerhill also raced on disc brakes. His brake of choice was the original cable actuated disc brake, the Avid BB7.
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- Trebon, Powers and Summerhill all rode disc brakes and it was the first time ever – to our knowledge – that a major ‘cross podium was swept by disc brakes. Discs are becoming more popular and are noted for their consistency, power, and modulation.
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- Ryan Trebon’s seemingly humungous Cannondale Cross bike (93cm seat to center of crank!) is disc equipped with Zipp wheels. The wheels have been custom made with a SRAM MTB hub.
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- U23 USGP series leader Yannick Eckmann, along with his Cal Giant/ Specialized teammates, stop with Avid BB7 RSL cable actuated disc brakes.