Bike Profile: Kell McKenzie’s Tracklocross Nationals Squid Fixed Gear $quidcross

Squid Bikes is releasing an overseas-built tracklocross-specific frame, but both Sammi Runnels and Kell McKenzie took the recently held Tracklocross Nationals aboard their $quidcross customized specifically for the fixed-gear discipline.

Kell McKenzie found a more aero way of carrying his number plate. 2019 Tracklocross Nationals-winning Squid fixed gear. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Tracklocross in the U.S. is a loosely organized series with scenes in six major metropolitan areas across the country—the Bay Area, Chicago, L.A., Orlando, Denver and New York City. The National Championships took place in the Bay Area at the end of June.

Kell Mckenzie lapped all but one racer on his way to win the 2019 Tracklocross Nationals. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Kell McKenzie gave last year’s Nationals in Minnesota a go, but didn’t come home with the title he coveted. This year, in his native Bay Area, he not only took the title but earned a free flight to Tracklocross Worlds in Japan. See our post-race interview with McKenzie here.

Kell McKenzie’s Tracklocross Nationals $quidcross Fixed Gear

McKenzie took a different approach than fellow title winner Sammi Runnels in building up his $quidcross.

Kell McKenzie steered a Thomson Elite X4 stem and Mash riser bar to victory at the 2019 Tracklocross Nationals. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

While both Runnels and Mckenzie opted for the wide flat bar approach for maximum leverage on the climbs, McKenzie geared his bike lower, opted for more knobs, and had a build that didn’t rely on SRAM componentry or sponsorship but featured a diverse mix of components.

The Easton EC90 SL carbon crankset with a 38×17 gear helped shed grams and scale Oakland’s hills. Kell McKenzie’s 2019 Tracklocross Nationals-winning Squid fixed gear. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

McKenzie used a 38×17 to power up the climbs and skid down the hills. Up front, he steered with a TRP Carbon Cross fork, and relied on a WTB SL8 saddle, WTB KOM alloy rim and WTB Nano TCS Light 700 x 40mm tire.

Kell McKenzie was perched on a WTB SL8 saddle. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

A WTB alloy KOM rim and WTB Nano 40mm tire helped Kell McKenzie roll to a 2019 Tracklocross Nationals win. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

A WTB alloy KOM rim and WTB Nano 40mm tire helped Kell McKenzie roll to a 2019 Tracklocross Nationals win. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

Although the currently-unemployed McKenzie was selling some other bike items at the swap the day before the title race, he had to make sure nobody walked off with his tracklocross bike.

Kell McKenzie participated in the bike swap the day before, and had to make sure nobody walked off his soon-to-be 2019 Tracklocross Nationals-winning Squid fixed gear. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine

For a closer look at McKenzie’s tracklocross $quidcross, see the gallery and specs below.

Photo Gallery: Kell McKenzie’s $quidcross Tracklocross Bike