Dawes Kalahari into Cyclocross bike?

acorn_user
acorn_user Posts: 1,137
edited July 2007 in Workshop
Hi,
Anybody tried to race a converted trekking bike?
Also, does anybody know the geometry of Dawes trekking bikes?
I was hoping to cross up mine for the coming winter. Is this doable? A cross riding friend thinks it's too heavy and too relaxed, but I don't really have the money for another bike.
Thanks!

Comments

  • gary_fisher3
    gary_fisher3 Posts: 3,466
    The Dawes wont be the most competative bike biut i've seen people racing worse. Give it a go. At least you're taking part!


    p.s. You will need to check the rule for each race. Some wont allow flat bars etc!
  • custom-freak
    custom-freak Posts: 85
    go for it dave! considering you raced that crit on it i think you should try as many types of racing on it as possible, you would prob need drops to comply with the rules so either v comp levers or canti's and prob bar end shifters? or top mounted, i;m pretty sure that sti's are out of the question unless you have a pair already, you would need to lose the rack and guards as well i think. good luck and don't forget to post the pics when you race it

    Cf
  • GentleGiant
    GentleGiant Posts: 8
    I converted a raleigh pioneer for my lad to ride cross on, but he could never get a comfortable position on it, so I bought a cheap 2nd hand cross frame instead. He used the raleigh as his paper round bike until the frame broke.

    You could ride it as it is, but to convert it properly you need some drop bars and some STI/Ergo levers. I used some old Shimano RSX 7 speed which did the job OK. Canti brakes are fine, if thats what you've got but you may have problems if you've got V brakes. You can buy cheap canti's for about £15 a pair.
    Formerly known as Big T
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    I thought some of you might like more details :)
    Brakes are sorted (I hope). I have some NOS Suntour XC Pro brakes to use. Likewise, I have an XC Pro rear mech. Gear levers are Suntour Command Shifters. These can run in friction or index. I have been told that they will index a Shimano 7 speed cassette if you use a Suntour rear mech. Up front will be a Sora triple. I'm going to take the 52t ring off and replace with a bash guard to make a 42/30 double. The front mech will remain the original Shimano C101.

    I'll try and find some nice bars (and maybe a new stem). I'm thinking about 3ttt, Nitto and Modolo right now. Brakes levers and cross tops are going to be Cane Creek, since they are the team sponsor. I'll use the money saved by recycling to buy some nice tyres. Probably Challenge Grifos or Panaracers. My bike is going to be a bit "burly", and the brake cable run is in exactly the wrong place for shouldering, so I will have to work around that.

    All this was clear, before I found out that my teammate is selling a Kona Major Jake Scandium frameset! :/

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