The ’Cross Racer’s ‘Cross Bike
Bring on the tempests. Bring on the muck. Bring on the drops, the roots and the ruts. The PDXCX begs for it all. Born in the heinous mud of the Pacific Northwest and bred on the technical courses of the Cross Crusade, it’s a cyclocross race machine. This is a ‘cross racer’s ‘cross bike.
Drawing inspiration from classic Belgian cyclocross bikes, the PDXCX adds modern touches of refinement to those traditional frame designs. We purpose built the third iteration of this frame to power through mire and slide through greasy corners with precise stability. A lower bottom bracket and shorter chainstays improve handling and snap while preserving the nimble characteristics of the second-generation frame. The bi-ovalized down tube, ovalized top tube and oversized head tube stiffen the front end for the confidence and precision to nail the perfect line. The bike is designed nail the apexes and slam through ruts all the way to the finish line.
Like the bikes that inspired it, the PDXCX routes cables above the top tube to avoid contamination and preserve shifting performance. Adding our own touch of refined elegance, the second-generation design has Sage Titanium’s patented Cable Clip System (US Patent No. 9,545,975) that uses removable cable stops for external mechanical or stealth, internal Di2 routing. Additionally, the CCS allows for optimized routing for one- or two-by chainring setups.
The bike is bombproof and built to withstand the most diabolical racing and riding conditions. The titanium construction offers a much higher strength-to-weight ratio compared with other metal frames, and the 3/2.5-titanium alloy tubing has exceptional corrosion resistance. Blast every nook and crevice with the power washers—this bike will thrive and shine, not wither and rust. In the event of a scuff, fear not! The raw industrial finish is one of the most durable and repairable of titanium finishes. Any scratches can be buffed out with a Scotch-Brite pad, restoring that lusty, like-new sheen to this burly beauty.
- Clearance for up 36mm tires
- Ovalized and shaped tubing for race ready performance
- 44mm headtube provides razor sharp precision steering
- Handling is designed for wet/ tight/ technical courses of the Pacific NW where CX is King
- Stealth fender mounts for increased weather protection during off season training rides
- Top tube cable routing protects your shifter and brake lines from potential contamination when the conditions get muddy
Cable Clip System (CCS)
Sage Titanium’s Cable Clip System streamlines shift routing with a touch of retro elegance. Officially recognized as US Patent No. 9,545,975, the design combines a single port under the down tube and a removable cable stop that work in harmony to sleekly route internal electronic wires or external mechanical cables. The machined-aluminum clip dovetails with the opening, guiding mechanical cables below the down tube. Ready to switch to an electronic drivetrain? There’s no upcharge for “Di2 compatibility” as the CCS seamlessly converts between mechanical and electronic systems. Removing the clip eliminates external cable stops and cleanly routes wires through the frame. The Oregon-made clasp also uses integrated barrel adjusters for fine-tunable functionality on this tiny chunk of genius.
Bi-Ovalized Down Tube
Snap. Precision. Giddy Up. All Sage bicycles are built upon these principles, and the bi-ovalized down tube is the foundation of these qualities. The oval shape provides a larger weld surface area compared to traditional round tubing. This increased contact patch better resists torsional forces at key locations on the frame. A vertical oval at the head tube junction resists twisting and yields precise steering, and a horizontal oval bonds to the bottom bracket shell, reinforcing lateral strength and preventing side-to-side movement during sharp accelerations. Mash, dive, sprint and swerve—the bi-ovalized down tube handles it all.
3/2.5 Titanium
At Sage, 3/2.5 titanium is the magic material. The smooth riding alloy blends stiffness, durability and weight for the ultimate frame tubing. Titanium has a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared with steel and aluminum, and the fatigue tolerance far surpasses the other materials. Don’t fret long rain rides or brackish water crossings—3/2.5 titanium resists rust and corrosion better than any other metal tubing.
Sleeved Seat Tube
That clean weld on the seat tube isn’t just for looks–it’s the lynchpin of Sage’s sleeved seat tube construction. The design mimics the benefits of double-butted tubing, without succumbing to the drawback of increased stress risers. The thicker wall diameter above the weld creates a stronger junction with the seat stays and top tube, while a thinner wall diameter below shaves grams, maintaining the superior structural integrity of straight-gauge tubing.
Industrial Finish
All Sage frames have a raw finish with the titanium shinning in all its glory. But industrial brushing is not just simple with a sexy shimmer. It’s also practical. The lusty sheen can be polished and renewed time after time. While bead-blasted and high-polished titanium frames have an alternatively classy look, any cosmetic flaws must be fixed by the pros at the paint shop or titanium factory. Should the industrial finish scratch or scuff, simply grab a Scotch-Brite pad to buff out the blemishes. A little elbow grease and DIY initiative brings the bike back to life, giving the frame that polished glow like the day it first rolled onto the doorstep. Or send your frame to us, and Sage will refresh it with a full buff and new set of decals.
English Threaded Bottom Bracket
Classic and classy, the English-threaded bottom bracket reigns supreme over press-fit alternatives. The strong interface between bottom bracket cups and the frame eliminates creaks and maintains alignment that won’t slip or wobble over time. Additionally, installation, removal and service of the design are simply superior. No punching or pressing required. Just thread it, grease it, shred it. Repeat.
Oversized 44-Millimeter Head Tube
Borrowed from the mountain bike realm, the oversized 44-millimeter head tube affords phenomenal front-end stiffness and precision on the road. Press-in headset cups provide a secure interface between frame and cockpit, and the large diameter opening accepts a wide range of steerer tubes, from 1⅛-inch straight to 1⅛–1½-inch tapered and every combination between.
