First CX Race - what bike and setup?
 

Hi all,

I've signed up for a taster race at my local cyclocross track, which I believe is just a grassy field behind a sports centre rather than anything bespoke, and there's no sand. For the taster race, there's no restriction on bikes, it's not ranking etc.

I have 2 bikes:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/revolt-1-2021
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/b.../big-trail-400

The Giant, being a gravel bike is the closest to a cyclocross bike, and dropped bars means I'm quite narrow which I suspect will be better for being overtaken (I'm not expecting to do well).
The Merida has much wider tires and the seat can be lowered to make it less likely I'll fall off. It's also 4kg heavier though I'm not sure how much I'll be expected to carry it.

So I think the Giant is likely the better choice, but in terms of tyres I've got the standard 700x38c CrossCuts and or 700x45c WTB Riddlers, neither of which I'm confident will be any good on grass/mud despite being much wider than the 33c limit for competitions.

On the Merida, I've got a 29x2.3 Maxxis Minion DHF on the front with either a 29x2.3 Minion SS or 29x2.3 Aggressor on the rear.

What would you recommend I used?

Should I also be removing anything I don't need, like bottle cages? Or is that excessive?

Thanks in advance!

Between those choices, the Giant. No doubt about it. I would pick the narrower of those two tires (33c limit is not going to be applicable to a local race like you're describing).

If there's any chance you'll be shouldering the bike, remove your bottle cages and strip down anything else you can take off it.

Otherwise...Practice your mount/dismount and carrying techniques. Start slowly and get the sequence of moves right.

Thanks! Bike has bottle cages removed to make it easier to carry.
I'm going to change to the 45c WTB's though as the packaging mentions cyclocross for the uses and the Giant Crosscuts don't seem very knobbly.

As an update. I wasn't feeling great on the day but went anyway, struggled a bit with the coaching session and practice lap, but stayed for the race and finished. Last by at least a minute, coming in at 34/34.
All 5 laps were a bit of a slog and I'm covered in bruises. But at least I did it and finished.

After crossing the finish line thinking never again, I'm pretty sure I'll go do the next one too. Maybe one day I'll come 2nd last! :)

Good on you.

DFL beats DNF beats DNS.