| Make: | Bontrager |
| Model: | Cyclocross |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Size: | large |
| Color: | black/red |
| Serial Number: | 592 |
| Frame: | tig welded steel - True Temper OX |
| Fork: | Steelman straight blade |
| Headset: | Chris King - 1 in. threaded |
| Front Derailler: | Shimano 600 |
| Rear Derailler: | Shimano Ultegra |
| Rear Cogs: | Shimano Ultegra 12-27 9-speed |
| Hubs: | Dura Ace |
| Rims: | Mavic Open Pros |
| Brakes: | Paul Neo Retro cantilever (front) / Paul cantilever (rear) |
| Levers: | Shimano Ultegra brake/shifter combo |
| Cranks: | Shimano Dura Ace 39/48 |
| Bottom Bracket: | Shimano Ultegra octalink |
| Pedals: | Shimano SPD M-535 |
| Bar: | Bontrager Race |
| Stem: | Salsa 100mm / 105 degree 1 in. quill-style |
| Seat Post: | Thomson Elite 26.8 |
| Saddle: | Avocet O2 |
'Cross From Santa Cruz
Unfortunately Bontrager no longer makes their cyclocross frames (or their mountain bikes either). Luckily, however, I own one.
This is a later model bike as evident by the Steelman CX straight-blade fork - earlier bikes had a curved-blade fork. According to Bontrager's catalogs the bikes were only available in a silver/gray color. I e-mailed Keith Bontrager to ask why my bike is black. According to him the race bikes were black, and if a customer asked he'd paint it black.
|
| In Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico |
The CX bike is a bit of a "bomber" by CX standards. It's very stable and likes to go straight (although it does handle well). The Ritchey Swiss Cross handles more like a road bike taking more attention to descend, while the Bontrager goes where you point it.
I bought the bike with the intent of using it mostly for commuting, but find that I tend to ride it quite a bit even when I'm not commuting. In December of 2003 I took a road trip to Baja, Mexico. I only took one bike, and it was the Bontrager. It's a good do-it-all bike.
- el