SRAM engineer and cyclocrosser Chris Shotwell

Chris Shotwell has been working for SRAM as a design engineer since 2005, specializing in brake design and development, he’s been racing cyclocross since 1995, and prior to that he was a research and design technician for RockShox (acquired by SRAM in 2001). I caught up with Shotty moments after he took a solid 18th (out of 92) at the Masters Cross race in Longmont, CO, in miserable conditions. He was still flush from the post race high.

What Shotty lacks in training hours and fitness he makes up for in technical proficiency, the guy works long hours but knows how to handle his cross bike. His experience and skills are the perfect compliment to the man partially responsible for the newest cross brakes that SRAM and Avid will be releasing in early 2010 (model year 2011). The Avid Shorty Ultimates are expected to compete at the very high end of cross stoppers for weight, but host more features and provide greater functionality. “These brakes will have adjustments for power, mud clearance, spring tension, and just look super sleek,” added Shotwell.

Jesse Anthony (Jamis) is a test pilot for the Avid Shorty Ultimates, giving critical feedback directly to engineers

Mark Legg Compton’s bike stayed clean and offers a better shot of the brakes – sleek and powerful with great functionality

Test riders are critical to the product development process, critical feedback comes from testing in real world race conditions. On this particular Saturday racers were greeted with mud, snow, and ice; perfect. Current testers include Shotty, multi-time National Champion Jesse Anthony, Mark Legg Compton (cross racer and husband to Katie), and fellow engineer and IL State Cyclocross Champion Scott McLaughlin.

The Shorty Ultimates can be set wide for improved mud clearance…

…or narrow for slightly improved power

Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com’s Stu Thorne hates dirty bikes and, without asking and despite the fact that I wanted a pic of the dirty brakes, impulsively started cleaning them…thanks Stu

The brakes are on schedule for early January release and are currently in the L2 stage of development. The engineering and design changes between L3 and L2 included 15 various revisions. The process gets refined as they move to L1. After L1 is when production starts, which is when the Avid Shorty Ultimates will become available to consumers.

Shotty agreed that the timing for these brakes is perfect as there is a growing need for high performance cyclocross componentry. So if you’re in the racing cross in the Colorado area, look for the masters guy with the SRAM kit on and take a look at his brakes, they will likely be the latest version of the Avid Shorty Ultimates.

Shotty and his post race carbo loading ritual