Cross Frame for Racing

disgruntledgoat
disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
edited July 2010 in Road buying advice
For a variey of reasons I'm looking to switch the main focus of my racing from the road to cyclocross this winter.

For this I wil need a cross bike (obviously) and am planning a build, my campag obsession rules me out of most pre-built off-the-peg bikes. Can any of you recommend me a decent frame at less than £500 for the purpose?

I have looked at the Kineses 5T and the Planet X Uncle John thus far. I'm a little perturbed at the (to my untutored eye) unorthodox geometry on the PX, is the massive head tube the norm for Crossers?
"In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

@gietvangent

Comments

  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    Re head tube length - the fork on a crosser is taller so if you were trying to replicate your road position you'd be looking for a shorter head tube. Most people, but not all, ride a cross bike slightly shorter and taller than they would on the road, depends what suits.

    Bear in mind you'll need to leave space on the steerer for a cable hanger, typically 10mm. I've never found one that would fit flush on a headset top cap so allow for another 10mm spacer underneath as well. It might be worth talking it through with somebody who sells a decent amount of crossers. Good time of the year for bargains, try Fatbirds to see what they've got in stock.

    Things to bear in mind when shopping for a frame, if you intend using it on the road most don't come with bottle cage mounts and cantis are fine off road but crap compared to calliper brakes and a real pig to setup. Tektro make a flexible noodle which is handy for getting round the tight bend between the bars and the cable hanger.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Just took delivery of my Uncle John - I'm loving it so far ! The cantis are pretty rubbish compared to the DA dual pivots though !
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    As a start for my Cross build I ordered a pair of Frogglegs (just need the bike to go with them now!), those are meant to be the daddy of Canti brakes. They were only £37 and came in gold, had to be done!

    Can you give me a brief review of your UJ please Cougie, I'm leaning that way as a decent starter frame.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Well I'm comparing it to my Carbon TCR - I did 115 miles on that bike on Sunday, and the UJ arrived Tuesday and I couldnt resist going out for a play.

    I went for a compact chainset (50-34) for a change and 11-25 block on the back - so its got enough spread for all my needs. The ultegra gears change more lightly than my DA - but thats just different - not worse.

    I've gone for the PX model C's and the tyres on them are Cont GPs. Only 22mm so I'll look for some wider rubber for the future - but that was the best option they had there.

    Theres no brake judder that I've found yet, and the ride is almost as comfy as the carbon bike. Bars are 44cm wide - so a bit of a half way house between my narrow road bars and my mtb bars - feel good on the road and off road pretty comfy too.

    I'll get out on it for a proper ride at the weekend (or 2) but at the moment - I'm more than happy with it.

    Downtube is kind of teardrop shaped - felt quite comfy carrying it offroad - I'd prob put some pipelagging round the top tube if i was doing more though !
  • echelon101
    echelon101 Posts: 34
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12711208

    I spoke to a friend on mine re my build, the non-compact crankset will be hard otherwise it's a good build. Forks are slightly larger due to taking the shock. You should take a look at the cyclocross rules (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclo-cross_bicycle) which might steer you.

    I bought the A57s which are slightly heaver than Model Cs. I went with black frogglegs..currently my whole bike is spec'd black, with a bit of white coming from the name and the red on SRAM red crankset. I think I'll get black bar tape then may be go with white gear and brake sleeves :)
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Regarding a brake hanger, FSA do a cross-specific integrated headset where the cable hanger is integral with the top bearing cover - keeps the stack height low. That said, I wouldn't worry too much about keeping a racy position - control is more important.

    The most important thing about cross is tyre selection - tubulars rule the roost because you can run them at lower pressures for grip without puncturing - folks using tubeless tyres have problems with them holding air at low pressures.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

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