Cyclists in general and cyclocrossers specifically are always looking for upgrades, either to increase speed, improve enjoyment or reduce maintenance. Coach Chris Mayhew and others have previously chimed in and helped with our popular three-bucket guidelines for making meaningful, affordable upgrades. Now for today’s Training Tuesday column, Mayhew is back to opine on how to spend your hard-earned money to get better and faster, not just with physical purchases but with expert services. Get started on your best cyclocross season with his tips below.
Cycling has gotten to be an expensive sport. Part of that is fashion and part of that is the technology involved in bikes today. It can be very hard to figure out where to spend money to maximize your performance and enjoyment of the sport. This column is a list of where I would prioritize spending your money for the best return, in approximate ordinal ranking.
Some caveats to this list: it's performance based. If you're racing to enjoy the scene and drink beer, that's rad. I'd be happy to coach you on the best bourbon for your money, just reach out. If you are just starting to race, don't spend any money at all except on racing fees and gas! You don't even know what you don't know. Spend a year just racing and traveling and after that you'll have a much better sense of what you want or need. But that first year, keep things as inexpensive as possible.
Mayhew's Guide to Spending Money on Cyclocross Upgrades:
A Sticky Upgrade
Tires. When you get a couple of seasons under your belt and have decided you’re pretty into this ’cross thing, get some tubulars. They ride better, offer more traction, and are more flat resistant than clinchers. They’re fun as hell to ride and a neat milestone.
If you’re still on rim brakes, finding an old set of tubulars, like this Grammo Tubolari Wheelset, should be easy. Dig around on forums. © Cyclocross Magazine
You don’t have to pay top dollar for them, nor should you. If you’re just starting out get the least expensive used wheels you can find and get some Challenge tires on there and away you go. You can glue them yourself if you want or find someone locally to do the work for you.
