The biggest departure from standard OEM or sponsor spec is Goguen’s Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon tubular wheels. The team is sponsored by Carver wheels from the BikeMan shop, and the company provides the value-oriented 38mm carbon tubular wheels we reviewed favorably in Issue 18, but Goguen wanted a lower profile due to the strong winds on the day. Followers of Bontrager components will note that these wheels haven’t been on the market for a few years, but only those with brains packed with mostly useless tech knowledge like ours will note that Goguen’s paired spoke model hasn’t been available since before 2007, when Contador used an XXX Lite model without the Rolf Prima-inspired spoke pairing to win the Tour de France. The Bontrager XXX Race Lite carbon hubs, with DT Swiss internal ratchets, keep the weight relatively low, as the wheelset is supposed to weigh under 1300g.
Who needs the latest? Eight-year-old Bontrager XXX Lite wheels, and 10-speeds can win you a Natonal Champonship – Peter Goguen’s Specialized CruX Carbon Pro bike. © Cyclocross Magazine
Sure, running eight-year-old wheels that aren’t sponsor-accurate may not ideal for all involved, but he doesn’t have a Nys-like wheel quiver for every tire and condition, and thus Goguen removed the stickers on the rims to give a more stealth look.
The rest of the bike is similar to last year’s stock CruX Carbon Pro cantilever model, with a FACT carbon seatpost with two bolts (a huge improvement over the terrible, angle-slipping one-bolt Pave Pro SL post on the 2014 CruX Pro Race Disc reviewed in Issue 23), Body Geometry Phenom Comp saddle, Specialized alloy Pro-Set stem and alloy Specialized CX handlebars.
Braking? Handled by the same cantis that Katie Compton and Jeremy Powers used later that day to win their titles: the Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilever brakes, with Swiss Stop Yellow King pads. Goguen ran them wide-profile up front for more mud clearance, and low-profile out back for more heel clearance and stopping power.
For pedals, Goguen uses Crankbrothers Candy 3 pedals—no titanium here.
