Geoff Kabush's Maxxis-Giant TCX

	Photo ©: Eric Wallace/Maxxis-Giant CX Racing Team

Cross-crazy Kabush

By Anthony Tan

Kabush parks his tush Photo ©: Eric Wallace

Cockpit by Easton Photo ©: Eric Wallace

Avid Shorty 6 cantilever brakes Photo ©: Eric Wallace

Zipp 404 Pavé-Cross wheels Photo ©: Eric Wallace

Truvativ's Rouleur carbon cranks Photo ©: Eric Wallace

This year's NORBA cross-country champion also likes to dabble on the cyclocross circuit. In fact, Geoff Kabush has got so good at his off-season 'hobby', he beat six-time national champ Peter Wedge to take his second Canadian 'cross title just a few weeks ago on his team-issue Giant TCX.

Well, sort of team-issue... Eric Wallace, team manager for both Kabush's MTB and CX racing teams, tells Cyclingnews: "The frame is a full stock model that is available to the public - standard color, material and geometry."

Mating a butted aluminium frame with a carbon fork and alloy steerer tube is pretty much the standard for a reasonably priced, mass-produced bike nowadays, whatever the discipline, and that dullish grey paint scheme is, well, rather dull.

Geometry also looks fairly normal, the congenial Kabush's size-L Giant TCX measuring 55.5cm (C-C) along the seat tube with an effective top tube length of 58.5cm. Interesting, however, is the seat and head tube angles: measuring 72 degrees - roughly 1-1.5 degrees less than standard - the relaxed geometry allows for a more comfortable riding position and a slightly lower centre of gravity.

Asked if he adopts the same fore/aft position between his two steeds, Kabush explained to Cyclingnews: "As far as set up is concerned, I try to start with the same seat position on all my bikes to make sure I can get the power to the pedals. I measure the seat height and then check the fore and aft position with a plumb bob; from there I adjust the handlebar and shifter/brake position for comfort and handling until it feels just right."

Bar height and brake/shifter position is probably the area where Kabush spends most of his time adjusting, as it's one of the more noticeable differences between 'cross and mountain bikes, the cockpit a mixture of Dura-Ace 9-speed for the STI brake/shifters and Easton components for the bars and stem.

The other significant difference is the use of 700c rather than 26-inch wheels, with Team Maxxis-Giant rolling around on Zipp 404 Pave clinchers, specifically designed for 'cross racing. Manager Eric Wallace adds that "Geoff runs different rubber for different courses" - alternating between Maxxis' MiMo or Locust models, both 35mm in width.

Not surprisingly, after his best MTB and cross season to date, Mr. Kabush rates his machine right up there, the most noticeable aspect the bike's total weight of just 17 pounds (7.71 kilos) - light even for a road bike.

"The best thing about the bike which I can definitely notice is the lightness; I can really snap it out of the corners and get it up to speed fast," Kabush says. "I wouldn't change anything about the bike right now; I feel incredibly comfortable in all conditions and it seems to be working out on the race course."

Photography

Images by Eric Wallace/Maxxis-Giant CX Racing Team

• Geoff Kabush's Maxxis-Giant CX Team.
• Kabush parks his tush on SDG's I-beam seatpost and I-Fly saddle.
• Cockpit by Easton - EA70's 12cm stem and 44cm bars - with Cateye's Enduro computer neatly mounted in the middle.
• Dura-Ace 9 speed levers and drop-style bars make this almost passable as a road bike - until one sees the cantilever brakes.
• 72 degree seat angles make the Giant CX Team a comfy race machine.
• Avid Shorty 6 cantilever brakes provide solid stopping power.
• Zipp 404 Pavé-Cross wheels are matched with Maxxis MiMo 700x35 tyres.
• The carbon fork uses an aluminium steerer tube for added strength.
• Truvativ's Rouleur carbon cranks are a two-piece design, with Kabush running 175mm cranks and a 38/46 chainring combination.
• Depending on course conditions, Kabush uses Maxxis Locust or MiMo tyres.
• Just in case Kabush breaks one...

Full specification

Frame: Giant TCX Aluxx SL butted aluminum frame, Size L
Fork: Giant carbon with alloy steerer tube
Colour: Matt grey
Geometry:
Seat tube: 55.5 cm (C-C)
Top tube: 58.5 cm (effective horizontal
Head tube: 18.4 cm
Seat angle: 72°
Head angle: 72°
Wheelbase: 104.3 cm

Cranks: Truvativ Rouleur Carbon 2 piece, 175mm, 38/46
Chain: SRAM PC99
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 9 speed
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 7700 9 speed
Brakes: Avid Shorty 6
Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 7701 9 speed
Rear sprockets: SRAM 12-26

Rim: Zipp 404 Pave/CX clincher
Tyres: Maxxis Mimo 700x35 or Maxxis Locust 700x35

Stem: Easton EA70, 120mm, +6 degree
Bars: Easton EA70, 44cm
Headset: FSA Integrated, 1' 1/8"

Pedals: Crank Brothers Eggbeaters with custom (shortened) titanium spindles
Seat post: SDG I-Beam
Saddle: SDG I-Fly
Cycle computer: Cateye Cordless 7, custom colour with Jittery Joes logo
Bar tape: Easton cork
Other: Ti bolt kit

Total bike weight: 17 pounds