Norcross SL Frameset: What can I say… This is a very serious racing frame. Incredibly lightweight, and monstrously stiff and responsive when pedaling. Every detail is covered from cable routing (all top tube) to mud clearance to shouldering comfort. The paint job is immaculate and appropriately flashy. Some purists find the water bottle mounts off putting, but I have used them already and don’t find them offensive in the least. My only complaint is the head tube, while taller than prior Blue frames, is still on the short side. Even with Jonathan Page’s signature on the bike, he seems to be running about an inch of spacers.

Overall: So, how does it ride? The answer is: Very, very well. Again, I don’t have much experience on other top end bikes, but I can say without reservation that all of the mumbo-jumbo about modern bikes is not made up! This bike is really stiff, but rides smooth at the same time. My starts seem faster and more efficient, but the bumps no more harsh. I put my road wheels and tires on the bike at 110 psi, and could ride rough asphalt that I normally avoid on my road bike without any discomfort or annoyance. The bike’s cornering and overall performance on the cyclocross course is really a revelation for me. I find myself riding at a speed I had previously found elusive, but I now have the combination of power transfer, light weight, cornering ability, and stability to race consistently and confidently with the best in the region.