2015 Junior National Champion and World Cup podium finisher Gage Hecht has been traveling around the world with his "A" and "B" Moots PSYCHLO X RSL titanium cyclocross bikes (See our review in Issue 15 in print, or available instantly via our digital version.)
Hecht is one of the few riders medaling at top European races who is not racing on an Asian-made carbon frame. His made-in-the-USA titanium bikes and results are certainly garnering attention in Europe, and obviously caught our attention in Austin as well.
We were able to get a close-and-dirty look at his "A" bike just after he finished his race at Zilker Park. The tires were complete with layers of Austin mud, along with his pedals and the space between his tire and disc fork.
We also caught up with Hecht to talk about the bike we photographed in Austin in the profile below. See Part two of our feature on Gage Hecht with our exclusive pre-Worlds interview here, and more of our ever-growing 2015 National Championship bike profiles here.
A titanium bike might be a common sight in the Master’s fields all across the country, but it is more of a rarity in Europe. We asked Hecht whether he was actively seeking a titanium build, or he wanted to partner with a local company.
“I ride for Alpha Bicycle Company, and Adam [Rachubinski, the owner of the shop] hooked us up with Moots,” Hecht replied. “Ever since they’ve been a great sponsor, really have done amazing things for us… They’ve supported me with bikes, but even giving me a ton of support as a company. They’ve been good all around to me as sponsors.”
We had to ask if he thought he had any advantages over his carbon rivals. “Titanium is great, it holds a lightness,” he said, “but it’s super-durable, too. It’s such a great material for cyclocross.”
Moots won the 2012 NAHBS-judged award for best cyclocross bike in Sacramento, and Hecht shows that the award wasn’t just a beauty contest.
Colorado-based Hecht is a perfect fit for the Steamboat Springs company. He took his Moots on to win the Men’s Elite Race during the Colorado State Championship this year. © Cyclocross Magazine
