Ann and Dale Knapp's Kona Major Jake

	Photo ©: Rob Karman

Married to the job

By Anthony Tan

WTB Rocket V saddles Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Ann rolls on Tufo Elite tubulars Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Easton's EA50 stem Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Dale uses Shimano's M959 SPD pedals. Photo ©: Hyun Lee

Ultegra 9-speed shifters. Photo ©: Hyun Lee

It appears in cyclocross circles more than any other cycling discipline, racing couples are less of a rarity. Maybe it's got something to do with the slightly less serious, more inviting, more inclusive nature of 'cross racing in the US in what is generally a male-dominated sport, encouraging participation from both sides of the fence.

Dale and Ann Knapp (née Grande) met each other when racing on the Redline team a number of years ago, before switching over to Kona at the same time to spend as much time together as possible. "After spending so much time around each other, we decided that we were a good blend," said Ann Knapp in a recent interview with Cyclingnews.

"And we are. We both race. We both work full time - Dale's a flight simulator technician for Boeing. Although, poor guy, he has to deal with rotating shifts!" empathizes the podium finisher from US Cross Nationals.

So after getting hitched almost two years ago, not only do the Knapps share the same surname, the same house, the same team, the same training rides (whenever possible) and the same clothes (the last one was a joke), they also share the exact same brand and model bike, Kona's 2005 Major Jake.

At the heart of the Major Jake is a full scandium-aluminium tubeset. As an alloying element, scandium improves alumiunium's fatigue performance, so that more normal-sized tubes can be used, instead of the enormous diameters traditionally employed to increase longevity in aluminium frames.

Both Ann and Dale run a blend of Dura-Ace and Ultegra nine-speed drivetrains, 172.5mm cranks and essentially the same gear ratios; Ann choosing a 39/46 front chainring combination and a 12-27 rear cassette, while Dale opts for a 39/44, 12-25 mix.

Subtle differences also lie with the Knapps' choice of wheels: both use Mavic Ksyrium SLs, although Ann runs on their tubular version, while Dale sticks with clinchers. In the stopping department, Mrs. Knapp likes Avid's Shorty Ti brakes, whereas Mr. Knapp prefers the ubiquitous Empella Froglegs.

Headset, bars, stem, seatpost and saddle are all identical or just about, both using accessories by Easton and a WTB Rocket V saddle. But pedals are personal: Ann opts for Time's ATAC, while Dale dances on Shimano 959s.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Rob Karman/

• Ann Knapp on her way to a podium place at this year's US Cyclocross Nationals.

Images by Hyun Lee

• Ann Knapp with her 49cm 2005 Kona Major Jake cyclocross bike.
• Ann chooses Time's ATAC pedals.
• WTB Rocket V saddles are the go for both Ann and Dale Knapp.
• Easton bars with Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed shifters.
• Ann rolls on Tufo Elite tubulars glued to Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels.
• Easton's EA50 stem - all 80mm of it.
• Ann runs a 39/46 front chainring combination.
• An Ultegra front derailleur does the job up front.
• Avid Shorty Ti brakes grace both front and rear.
• Dale Knapp with his 58cm 2005 Kona Major Jake.
• Dale uses Shimano's M959 SPD pedals.
• Like Ann, Dale runs an Ultegra crankset with Ultegra front derailleur.
• Dale runs a slightly closer-ratio, 39/44 front chainring combo.
• Empella's ubiquitous Froglegs cantilever brakes.
• Easton's EC90 Equipe carbon bars - just like Ann's but 4cm wider.
• Ultegra 9-speed shifters.
• Dale also rolls on Mavic's Ksyrium SL wheels, but the clincher version.
• Dale runs the same seatpost/saddle combo as his wife - an Easton EC70 post clamped to a WTB Rocket V saddle.

Full specification

Ann's bike

Frame: 2005 Kona Major Jake, 49 cm model
Fork: Wound Up Team X
Colour: Red/white/blue

Cranks: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed, 172.5mm, 39/46T
Bottom bracket: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Brakes: Avid Shorty Ti
Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Rear sprockets: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed 12-27

Rim: Mavic Ksyrium SL (tubular)
Tyres: TUFO Elite 30

Stem: Easton EA50, 80mm
Bars: Easton carbon EC90 Equipe, 40cm
Headset: Chris King 1' 1/8"

Pedals: Time ATAC
Seat post: Easton carbon EC70
Saddle: WTB Rocket V

Dale's bike

Frame: 2005 Kona Major Jake, 58cm model
Fork: Wound Up Team X
Colour: Red/white/blue

Cranks: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed, 172.5mm, 39/44T
Bottom bracket: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Rear derailleur: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed
Brakes: Empella Froglegs
Levers: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Rear sprockets: Shimano Dura-Ace 9 speed 12-25

Rim: Mavic Ksyrium SL (clincher)
Tyres: Michelin Mud

Stem: Easton EA70 forged, 120mm
Bars: Easton carbon EC90 Equipe, 44cm
Headset: Chris King 1' 1/8"

Pedals: Shimano 959
Seat post: Easton carbon EC70
Saddle: WTB Rocket V