Cyclocross for £400

tommywmb

Looking for a cross bike for around £400, can anyone reccomend any?

Also, does anyone know any decent Cyclocross websites?

acorn_user

For that money, you might have to make it. Have you looked at the Paul Milnes cycles website?

Ok, assuming that there are no prebuilt bikes for that money, you could try refitting an existing bike for cross. My Dawes Kalahari is currently undergoing this transformation.

C+ had an article on it a couple of years ago. Basically, take a decent hybrid and fit drops, brake levers (recommend the Tektro model or cheapest Shimano) and Shimano bar end shifters. More than 8 speeds is probably overkill. You could also buy some Sora or Xenon shifters instead. Strip all the unnecessary parts off to save weight. Fit new tyres. Fit canti brakes (I like very old Shimano mtb cantis). You could also try doing this to an old touring bike. THe critical part is having clearance for wide tyres at the front and back. If this is a problem, there are some things that a good frame repairer could do, but those cost extra money.

Or you could do the same to an old mtb. In that case, you could have the canti studs rebrazed so as to fit 700c wheels, but this is not necessary.

Have fun! You could also look at the Fort range. My teammates like those.

tommywmb

Thanks for your reply.

I am currenty using a Gary Fisher Cronus to commute on, would this be suitable for conversion?[/url]

acorn_user

That would be a tricky conversion.
1) Sram mtb derailleurs are not index compatible with any drop bar shifters (you could probably use a bar end shifter in index mode)
2) You have mtb pull disc brakes. This presents 2 problems. One is that you would have to adjust the cable pull of your drop levers by using a "travel agent". Alternatively, you could use Dia Compe 287v levers or get new Avid BB7 road discs.... [discs are also banned for UCI sanctioned races, but I would not worry about that]

With that bike as a starting point, I think I would try and get some crossy mtb tyres and ride it as is. The gearing would be pretty good, and I think your bike would make quite a nice ride as it is. Lot's of people ride cross on mtbs...

tommywmb

Define Cross-y tires?

Skinny and a bit nobbly?! Ooh-err!

acorn_user

Skinny and nobly is close. Let's stop before this thread turns into a 1970's sitcom. Hidihi?

Ideally, you would not want to have a monster tread and weight for your tyre. Something designed for mud would be great. Try and find a shop that specialised in mtbs and find out what they would recommend for mud riding

DavidBelcher

acorn_user wrote:

Have fun! You could also look at the Fort range. My teammates like those.

I'll second your team-mates here. I own a Fort 'cross frame and am extremely pleased with it. Build quality's good, plenty of clearance to stop mud and dead leaves jamming things up, and good finishing to boot (durable powder coat on the outside, linseed oil treatment on the inside to keep corrosion at bay). Only drawback with my Fort is that it's the Columbus Foco steel model, which is now discontinued - good job I bought mine when I did

David