There was always something ephemeral about the Swiss Cross.
Not necessarily about the bike itself as it’s sturdy enough to last for years, but somehow I knew it wasn’t something I was going to hold onto forever.
Cyclocross bikes have been in transition for the last three years as manufacturers have grappled with how they’re going to handle disc brakes. While some companies have made all of their top end bikes in disc only models most World Cup racers are still squarely in favor of cantilevers.
Beyond the essential brake mount question there’s a debate about rear dropout width (130 or 135, or in some cases even a 142 x 12), whether or not a tapered steerer is necessary and how much bottom bracket drop should be incorporated. As “gravel bikes” are becoming more prevalent and gravel rides & races are becoming more numerous there is a debate about what those bikes should and shouldn’t resemble. Some argue that a cross bike can be a great gravel bike while others would tell you that it’s a separate beast altogether and more in-line with a disc equipped gran fondo machine.
All of that chatter really means that I’m not sure what the right cross platform will be for the future, and if I’m going to invest in a Moots then I’d like it to be relevant and appropriate for a long time.
Unfortunately that means the Swiss Cross was a victim of circumstance. While being an awesome blend of modern and retro with a phenomenal ride quality and mountain bike-ish feel it was neither disc nor fondo enough to solidify itself in my stable. As awesome as it was I just never really rode it, and as much as it killed me to sell it I knew I couldn’t hold onto something that wasn’t getting ridden.
Really I blame myself for this one not working out. While the Swiss Cross was built up with a Force group and Avid Shorty Ultimates to be a forever bike it needed to ridden only on sunny and dry Sundays to do it- and the stable is just not large enough to allow for that.
I took these pictures before I sold it this summer, and while I miss it I had to let it go.