Cyclocross or tourer ?

paisleyjag

After about a year procrastinating and signing up for the Caledonian e tape i am now looking to buy a proper bike after using a very old mtb for the past 3 - 4 years.

However was wondering if it would be possible to complete the etape on either a cyclo cross or a touring bike.

cheers

Garry H

You could complete it on a BMX if you had the necessary gumption

Monty Dog

Depends on what you want to use the bike for the remaining 364 days of the year? Most cross frames come with bottle cage bosses, rack and mudguard eyes these days too as they're designed for versatility. The only reason for looking at a touring frame is whether you're considering carrying heavy loads - but they are generally over-built and have slacker geometry for more stability whilst loaded.

andrew_s

Garry H wrote:

You could complete it on a BMX if you had the necessary gumption

One year I did the Elenith (300k, Kidderminster to Tregaron & back) there was a chap doing it on a BMX. He'd put a long seatpost in, but otherwise it was pretty standard.

ugo.santalucia

paisleyjag wrote:

After about a year procrastinating and signing up for the Caledonian e tape i am now looking to buy a proper bike after using a very old mtb for the past 3 - 4 years.

However was wondering if it would be possible to complete the etape on either a cyclo cross or a touring bike.

cheers

Just got myself a crosser (see thread on croix de fer). The impression is that with road tyres it's kind of a road bike... about 2 Kg heavier and a bit more dead and less responsive, but a lot more comfty.
So yes, you can complete a sportive, but you need a set of road tyres.
A tourer? Depends on the tourer... wouldn't bother with a very heavy one (12 Kg or more) with big tyres