Kinesis Crosslight CX Race, Pro 6 V2 & 5T Disc
Kinesis Crosslight CX Race, Pro 6 V2 & 5T Disc
Finally, on to cyclo-cross and Kinesis have a new full-blooded CX racer, the Crosslight CX Race. While other bikes in the Kinesis ‘cross range (which we’ll come on to) have some versatility built into them, this is an out-and-out race bike.
It’s made from a lightweight Scandium tubeset which, interestingly, is compatible with both disc and cantilever brakes. There’s still a split in the ‘cross community as to what’s better for racing, so Kinesis have sought to address that by making a frame which offers flexibility. Like the 4S Disc, the dropouts can take both 130mm road and 135mm disc hubs.
Single-chainring setups are becoming increasingly popular with cyclo-cross racers, so there’s no front mech hanger, though the routing exists if you do want to use a double chainset. The rear mech cable runs along the top of the toptube, to avoid it snagging when shouldering the bike in a ‘cross race. As you’d expect, there are no rack or mudguard mounts, but, highlighting how this really is a frame for racing, there are no bottle bosses either, with cyclo-cross racers usually going without for an hour of full-gas racing.
Kinesis will sell this as a frame only for £549.99, leaving the choice of fork down to the rider. Kinesis have also had a batch of handmade FMB tubular tyres produced, as they’re popular with CX racers but can can be quite difficult to get hold of. Get in touch if you want some.
Elsewhere, the Crosslight Pro 6 has been updated (it’s now the Pro 6 V2). It’s designed to offer more versatility than the CX Race, so there are eyelets for mudguards and a rear rack (and bottle cages, of course).
It’s still got ‘cross-specific features, though, including a ergonomically-profiled toptube for shouldering the bike and routing which runs along the top of the toptube, making the Pro 6 a bike which will appeal to riders who want something that’s capable of bashing around a field for an hour as well as road duty. The Kinesium tubeset still keeps the frame weight relatively low.
Otherwise, there’s clearance for 40mm tyres, as well as compatibility with electronic groupsets and flat mount disc brakes (this one’s a disc brake-only frame). Kinesis are now also offering the Pro 6 in a new 55.5cm size. The price is £649.99 for the frameset (frame and carbon fibre fork with a tapered steerer tube).
Finally, there’s the Crosslight 5T completes Kinesis’ cyclo-cross range. It’s an entry-level frameset priced at £499.99 and with a strapline of ‘race in the mud on Sunday, commute in the week’. As a result, it’s got the rack and mudguard eyelets you’d expect, and the 7005 double-butted alloy frame is paired with a carbon fibre fork with clearance for 40mm tyres with full ‘guards.
Website: Kinesis