The competition had better be ready. Our high-end cross-country race machine is as subtly understated as it is uncompromisingly fast and performance-orientated - truly a wolf in sheep's clothing. The Cross Race SL is also surprisingly light and comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. It's just a shame the cross season is so short...
The Cross Race SL's double-butted Superlite Advanced 6061 aluminium frame is totally geared for performance. Thanks to our elaborate mechanical forming process, a tapered head tube and cold forged 3D dropouts, the frame is exceptionally torsionally stiff. To add a dose of comfort, we specified a 27.2mm seat post and disc-specific carbon fork with tapered aluminium steerer. Race-ready geometry means the Cross Race SL gets precisely the right blend of performance-orientated ride position and agile but safe handling that a great crosser needs. And, of course, all the cables are routed internally.
No doubt about it: the equipment highlight here is the complete Shimano Ultegra transmission, with 2x11 gearing and the perfect shift precision you'd expect from this manufacturer. Aksium Disc system wheels from Mavic aren't just fast and good-looking, they're also tough enough to stand up to the demands of this sport. Shimano's brnd new BR-RS785 hydraulic disc brake system - with 160mm rotors at front and rear - ensures precise braking before a running section or into a corner. And Schwalbe's X-One Cross tyres are new and built for the purpose, too.