Nats Bike: David Thompson’s Junior Men 9-10 Nationals-Winning Squid

by Greg Evans

The 2016 Cyclocross National Championships are over, but we're just getting started at our annual close-up look at the Nationals-winning bikes (see the 2015 Nationals winning bikes here). In our growing collection of 2016 Nationals bikes, we've seen a unique Campagnolo-equipped Orbea and a more commonplace Giant TCX. Today we've got a bike from the youngest junior category that many of us will still lust after.

David Thompson dominated the Junior Men 9-10 race. 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. © Cyclocross Magazine

David Thompson took third last year in the Junior Men 9-10 category at the 2015 USA Cyclocross National Championships. This year he returned with a determination to elevate his result to the top step. He would go on to do exactly that, besting the rest of the field on his Anthony Clark-themed Squid disc ‘cross bike to claim the jersey.

David Thompson's Junior Men 9-10 Nationals-winning Squid. © Cyclocross Magazine

Thompson’s Squid is ’cross kid’s dream. The eccentric bike carries on the Squid Bikes' tradition of expression through a custom finish either by Squid or the owner in the form of Squid’s rattlecan frame option that ships an unpainted frame to provide a blank canvas for artists or aspiring artists. The aluminum frames start at $1200 and are handmade in California by Ventana.

This model was designed to emulate Squid pro Anthony Clark’s bike. The purple paint contrasts nicely with the green, black and pink decals, giving the bike a very fun look. Collaborating artist Paul Antonson designed the frame’s graphics. The bike is set up with an Enve Composites Cross Disc fork.

David Thompson's bike is a replica of Squid Pro Anthony Clark's bike. Paul Antonson graphics overlaying the purple paint give Thompson’s bike a unique flair. © Cyclocross Magazine

The high-end build begins with a SRAM drivetrain. A Force 22 Hydro R lever is strung to a Force 22 rear derailleur, handling the shifting across the 11-32t cassette. The cranks are SRAM Rival and feature a 38t narrow wide SRAM ring.

The 170mm Sram Rival cranks are fitted with a 38t Sram narrow wide chainring that works to keep the chain in place over the bumps and bobbles of a ‘cross course. © Cyclocross Magazine

The Hydraulic levers feed fluid to a set of SRAM Force 22 Hydraulic disc brake calipers, ensuring that the Shimano ICE Tech RT-99 rotors come to a stop. A Ritchey Comp Curve bar is bolted to the short Syntace stem, allowing young Thompson to have a better fit to the bike. The WTB High Tail saddle is pushed all the way forward on the Thomson Masterpiece seatpost to further influence the fit.

A well-loved XTR internal cam quick release holds the rear wheel in place. Force hydraulic disc brakes handle the stopping. © Cyclocross Magazine

The frame isn’t the only part that’s hand built, as the bike rolls on 33c FMB Super Mud cotton tubulars. The tires feature an open tread with a knob pattern designed for optimal mud shedding. The rear tire is glued to an Enve Composites rim, while the front is fitted to an unmarked carbon wheel, likely also an ENVE tubular rim. Both wheels are laced to DT Swiss 240s hubs.

Like Powers and Compton, Thompson opted for FMB Super Mud tires, with its grippy, mud-clearing tread. Thompson's dad assured our photographer that his son was only borrowing the ENVE wheels from him. © Cyclocross Magazine

The remaining bits and pieces include XTR quick releases, XTR M980/9000 pedals and a Chris King NoThreadSet. All of the components appeared to work harmoniously on the course, as Thompson states that his equipment was “pretty smooth” during our post-race interview.

Photo gallery below the spec highlights. See our growing list of 2016 Cyclocross National Championship bikes here.

David Thompson’s Junior 9-10-Winning Squid Bike Specs:

Frame: Squid disc ’cross, size XS, 6000 aluminum
Fork: Enve Composites Cross Fork Disc
Headset: Chris King NoThreadSet, black
Shifter/Brake Levers: SRAM Force 22 hydraulic
Brake Calipers: SRAM Force 22 hydraulic
Rotors: Shimano RT-99
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 22
Front Derailleur: N/A
Crankset: SRAM Rival, 170mm
Stem: Syntace
Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Curve
Bar Tape: Arunde Gecko Grip
Seatpost: Thomson Masterpiece, straight
Saddle: WTB High Tail
Wheels: Enve Composites XC (his dad's wheels, it was made clear)
Hubs: DT Swiss 240s
Tires: FMB Super Mud, 700x33c
More info: www.squidbikes.com

David Thompson's Junior 9-10 National Championship-Winning Squid CX Photo Gallery: