Peter Goguen is one of many cyclocrossers who podiumed over the weekend on Specialized CruX cyclocross bikes. However, he might have been one of the few not on the California Giant Cycling team, and the also one of the few Specialized riders not to ride disc brakes.
Peter Goguen had time to look around, smile and celebrate. © Matthew Lasala
Goguen, who rides for C.F. Racing, came into the 2014 Cyclocross National Championships as the default favorite in the Junior Men’s 17-18 race, after finishing third behind two 18-year-olds—Logan Owen and Curtis White—at the the 2013 National Championships. And the Junior from Hopedale, Massachusetts, who also finished second in the 15-16 age group in 2012, didn’t disappoint, with blistering lap times on his way to a commanding 2014 National Championship that bested even 2014 U23 Champion Logan Owen’s lap times, albeit in drier conditions.
2014 Junior Cyclocross National Champion Peter Goguen’s Specialized CruX Carbon Pro bike, minutes after the finish. © Cyclocross Magazine
At first glance, Goguen’s carbon Specialized CruX cyclocross bike looks pretty close to a stock 2013 model, almost identical sans wheels to the 2013 Specialized CruX Carbon Pro we reviewed (and loved) in Issue 19. But it’s not quite the same, mostly due to Goguen’s team (and most Juniors) not being flush with cash or components.
Look closer at Goguen’s red Specialized CruX, and you’ll notice that he uses a unique combination of SRAM RED 2012 DoubleTap levers paired with an older 2011 SRAM RED Black rear derailleur and non-Yaw SRAM Force front derailleur. The rear derailleur and right shifter pairing isn’t unusual, as it’s widely known the two generations work well together. It’s the front shifting that surprisingly works, as the 2012 DoubleTap left shifter is designed for a Yaw-type front derailleur and lacks trims, while the older Force front derailleur was designed for a front shifter big chainring trim. It’s a combination that gave us fits of chain rub on the otherwise great Norco Threshold we recently reviewed in Issue 23, but one that Goguen’s mechanic says works fine for him. (Goguen’s B-bike actually features a full suite of SRAM RED 2012 components, but he prefers this bike.)
Specialized’s FACT Carbon cranks in 172.5mm length help keep the gears turning, with a Specialized 36/46t chainring combination, and a SRAM front derailleur-mounted chain catcher to keep Goguen pedaling when the going gets rough. Out back, he’s got a PG-1070 cassette in an 11-26t combo.
Challenge Chicane tubulars and Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilevers (the winning brake of Sunday). Goguen set up his front brake in wide-profile, mud-clearance format. Swiss Stop Yellow King pads. © Cyclocross Magazine
Goguen’s team is sponsored by Challenge Tires, and Goguen opted to ride the Chicane for his title-winning ride, despite telling Cyclocross Magazine that he had only ridden the tires three or four times prior. The file tread center (same as the Grifo XN) paired with Limus side knobs gave Goguen the speed and grip he wanted, and it showed in a few blazing first laps. He tried a few laps during course inspection on the Limus, but on race day, with drier conditions than earlier in the week, he picked ultimate speed over ultimate straight-line traction. Note that these tires were not Team Editions, and we haven’t seen cotton versions of that tread yet.
