The cyclocross bike is designed for racing cyclocross racing. This is not a typical gravel bike and can be distinguished as such via the bike frames tire clearance, shorter chainstays/ wheelbase, a more aggressive head tube and seat tube angle and a higher bottom bracket.

The intent of the cyclocross bike is speed and maneuverability.

The athlete whose bike is featured the pic went through the entire bike fit process – a process (in a nutshell) that includes measuring the leg, trunk, and foot and then comparing those measurements to the geometry of the bike which results in a fit solution. With the solution in hand, it was time to examine the existing conditions of the new Cannondale Super X cyclocross bike and then start making changes.

Bike Data

• Brand: Cannondale
• Model: SuperX
• Size: 52cm
• Year: 2019
• Notables: Proprietary Ai offset drivetrain

Fit Data

• The first step is to check saddle fore/aft which in this case required a small adjustment to back from the handlebars. This adjustment is important to balance and the amount of pressure on the hands while gripping the handlebars.
• The next step is to check the saddle tilt. The tilt was measured at -1 degrees measured from the sweet spot of the saddle and neutral at the nose of the saddle so no change was necessary.
• The third step is to check Saddle height. The height was extremely was close to spot on so only a small adjustment (plus 2 mm in height) was necessary.
• The fourth step is to check effective body extension (measured from the sweet spot of the saddle to the center of the handlebar). The athlete contacted me prior to purchasing the bike and I made recommendations on frame size and components so the effective reach was spot on at this point in the alignment process.
• The fifth was to configure headset spacers and or above horizontal alignment (bar drop). Considering the athlete’s flexibility and experience on the bike I recommended 35mm above horizontal – this alignment will allow the athlete to produce power in the hoods and access the drops for extra control.
• Next, I assessed the hoods and bar angles. The hoods are somewhat subjective when it comes to measuring so visual assessment is key – one key point is wrist angle (too much bend in the wrist can limited control, access to the brakes.shifters and can cause soreness and or a numbing sensation. The alignment of the hoods was slightly upward positioned so I reangled them 2 degrees downward to reduce the pressure on the wrist.
• Last I set the athlete’s double-checked the cleats. No shifting had occurred so the cleats were left as is.

Conclusion

After a long warm-up on the trainer and multiple hard efforts, I was pleased with the athlete’s position on the bike. I asked the athlete for feedback and based on the changes made he felt that the small adjustments were not noticed but that the bike especially the bar drop felt powerful and pressure on the perineum felt comfortable.. The end result of the fit can be seen in the pic below.