Features Road The green machine that drives the future of America's cyclo-cross hopefuls By James Huang published 26 December 2007 The 2007 UCI World Cyclo-cross World Championships was undeniably a breakout year for US 'cross... Image 1 of 48Salsa also provides its bar and stem to the team.(Image credit: James Huang)A flattened top tube(Image credit: James Huang)The head tube is reinforced at the ends(Image credit: James Huang)There's no carbon in the frame(Image credit: James Huang)More SRAM stuff can be found out back…(Image credit: James Huang)Surprise, surprise(Image credit: James Huang)The fi'zi:k Nisene saddle(Image credit: James Huang)…and stems in an effort to shed weight.(Image credit: James Huang)The team and its equipment travels to races(Image credit: James Huang)The CLIF Bar Development Team(Image credit: James Huang)Danny Summerhill finished second at last year's UCI Junior Cyclo-cross World Championships last year atop a Salsa Chili con Crosso.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Summerhill just place third at this year's US Nationals event on the same bike.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The Salsa Chili con Crosso frame foregoes carbon in the interest of saving weight.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Scandium-enhanced aluminum alloy tubing is light and fatigue-resistant.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A flattened top tube is designed to improve portaging comfort.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Chain stays are flattened slightly in their midsection to promote vertical compliance…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)…and the seat stays are similarly shaped for the same reason.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The standard dual seat stays include a stout anchor for the rear brake housing stop.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The head tube is reinforced at the ends to combat ovalizing.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Mud clearance is aided by the lack of a chain stay bridge.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The front of the bike is fitted with an Alpha Q CX20 fork.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Summerhill was running the tubular version of Mavic's Ksyrium SL the day we caught up with his bike.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)There's no carbon in the frame but there is a bit in the front hub.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The venerable Dugast Rhino tire is reliably glued to Summerhill's rims.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The SRAM Force DoubleTap levers work well in nasty 'cross conditions.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The SRAM Rival OCT crank is made of hollow forged aluminum.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)More SRAM stuff can be found out back…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)…and at the front derailleur.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Avid Shorty 6 cantilevers offer simple and reliable stopping.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A handy Jump Stop prevents the chain from falling to the inside.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Surprise, surprise : Crank Brothers pedals on another pro-level 'cross bike.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The SRAM PowerLock allows for chain installation without tools.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Salsa also provides its bar and stem to the team.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Summerhill prefers an anatomic bend.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The fi'zi:k Nisene saddle has a little extra padding to ease the impact of remounts.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A stout Salsa Lip-Lock collar secures the seatpost.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Most team bikes are fitted with painted-to-match Alpha Q forks.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The team is also experimenting with Alpha seatposts…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)…and stems in an effort to shed weight.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)When conditions call for clinchers, the team relies the Mavic Ksyrium ES…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)…and Maxxis tires.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The unique CLIF Bar Development Team has bigger goals in mind than just bike racing.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The team and its equipment travels to races in this converted school bus.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)It doesn't go very fast, but it's very eco-conscious.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The bus runs on biodiesel whenever possible and will soon be able to run on waste vegetable oil.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A simple idea that's not always so simple to execute.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The CLIF Bar Development Team does their part, though, wherever it can.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)It's a tight fit sometimes, but the team gets the stuff where it needs to go.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Pro bikes, December 26, 2007Danny Summerhill's CLIF Bar Development Salsa Cycles Chili con CrossoGet The Leadout NewsletterThe latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!Contact me with 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