Wanting to start cyclocross

rodgers73

I'm thinking about doing cross this winter but have only a vague idea of what is suitable for use in this sort of racing. I've done a decent amount of cycling over the last year or so and loads of running over the last 3 years so this appeals.

My question really relates to the equipment. I've been thinking about buying a cheapo mountain bike for going to the shops on but wondered if this sort of machine with a few upgrades would be suitable for use, on the basis that if I like the sport I can transfer the upgrades onto a decent frameset later on.

Is this a feasible approach? If so, my specific questions are -

1. Handlebars - am I better off starting off using drops straightaway or am I OK to stay on flat bars? Is this likely to be a problem at my local events? I'm guessing not?

2. Pedals - I'm more than familiar with SPD Sls but are MTB pedals used more? Which is better?

3. Wheels/tyres - assuming I get 700c wheels is there a width of rim I should be looking for or would an ordinary MTB wheel be ok? What sort of tyres do people use? Specialist cross ones or ordinary MTB?

Thanks for any help - I've been looking online but cant find much in the way of a beginners guide.

Monty Dog

If you're happy to just ride around then an MTB is OK, but you'll be at a distinct disadvantage in comparison to a CX bike. An MTB and a CX bike are pretty different beasts - there's not much you can swap between the two i.e. flat bars and levers with 26" wheels vs drop bars and road levers with 700c wheels. You might get a bit closer with a 29er MTB as they use 700c wheels. In terms of pedals, MTB pedals and shoes as most courses have dismounts / run-ups - road shoes aren't designed for walking or running. Most serious CX racers use tubular tyres because they're the best for soft, muddy conditions. I would seriously suggest you look for a used CX bike if you're serious about CX rather than MTB - they make good training bikes too.

rodgers73

At this stage I wouldnt say I'm serous about it - although I may be so after I've had a go.

sheffsimon

You would be better off with flats rather than SPD-SL pedals.

As Monty Dog has said, you would be at a disadvantage on an MTB compared to CX bike.I used to ride a lot of CX as a schoolboy and junior, twenty-odd yrs ago, on proper CX bikes and it is a better experience on a CX bike.

Having said that, I rode some CX last winter on an MTB I built using second hand stuff, for the sole purpose of riding CX on it. No sus forks, just rigid forks, and I used decent tyres (Schwalbe CX Pro) rather than big MTB tyres.

If I was you I wouldnt bother upgrading anything on your MTB, cos it will make no real difference to your result. It will still be a crap MTB clogged solid with mud and grass, but dont let that put you off.

Just turn up and enter on the day, and see what you think.

I always did a bit of running when I rode it before, and I found it made a huge difference. That was back in the day though. Much less running sections in CX nowadays.

hammerite

Agree with SheffSimon about the footwear. SPD SLs would be no good, if you don't want to invest in SPD pedals and shoes yet, then hopefully as a runner you'll have a pair of cross country shoes - wear them with flat pedals.

Depends on the course as to how much of a disadvantage you'd be at on an MTB, anything that is more technical and the MTB will be ok, anything that has a few fast flowing sections and you'll be disadvantaged.

I'd agree with Monty about going for a used CX bike, it's no fun trying to get an MTB on your shoulder and running up a bank 20 times in an hour.

milese

I did my first 2 CX events last year on a Cannondale Badboy hybrid with the Schwalbe CX Pro tyres.

I punctured on the first race, but finished about 2/3s back in the second one.

If you just want to give it a go then any mtb would be ok. Depends how worried you are about being competitive.

I've bought a second hand focus mares 2 CX bike to use this winter, got 105 spec and I paid £500 for it.

I used mtb spds and found them fine.