Cyclocross bike question
warrior4life
Posts: 925
Can you use a regular road bike for cyclocross? could I just put some beefier tyres on my winter steed?
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clearance might be a problem....0
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Do you have a mountain bike? A more common route into 'cross for those without a specific bike is to start on a mountain bike. Not allowed in national-level events but fine in local races.
Ruth0 -
Depends on the course conditions, but any mud would just pack under the caliper of a road brake and soon bring you to a halt. Plenty folks start CX on MTBs, but don't expect to be competitive because the two bikes are designed for different styles of riding / conditions.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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How about a hybrid?
Like a boardman one, They look pretty robust and well spec'd, Seems cyclocross bikes are pretty hard to come by at a good price second hand.
What's the deal with disk brakes as well?0 -
I used a Cannondale Badboy hybrid for a few events last year and it was quite good, better than an MTB as stiffer and lighter (and cheaper).
You can get 26" CX tyres.0 -
Hybrids are ideal for CX (except Elite-level races where you need drop bars) and disc brakes allowed at all levels.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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warrior4life wrote:Can you use a regular road bike for cyclocross? could I just put some beefier tyres on my winter steed?
I started with my On One Pompino. Commuter with chunky gyres. I don't recommend the 48x18 though.
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www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk
10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business0 -
Hybrids are a good bet indeed. But note that surprisingly, many do not have great clearance in the rear for a 35mm tyre. I was looking at a lot of models with either shorty v-brakes or discs, but when I inspected them in the shops, the rear stays were more roadie than off-roadie. Some examples are the Whyte line of disc-equipped hybrids and the 700c Cannondale Bad Boys. Lots of room up front on the 'Dales tho...
The Marin's didn't look too bad as did the Specializeds, but in the end I just got a Giant TCX frame from Wiggle (only £400) and built that up with flat bar and cantis from parts I had lying around for almost no money.
Only problem with flat bars is no bar-ends, due to the saftey aspect of them skewering someone. The leverage on a flat bar is not as good as being in road drops so your power delivery might suffer.When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0 -
Ive ended up with a second hand mid 90's carlton.
Im racing the beast this weekend, My aim is to not be last.0 -
If anyone's still looking for a good cross deal, the 105-equipped CaadX is available for under £800 at a few shops and it has a really nice raw finish so the bare frame might be lighter than a painted version. What's not to like?When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.0
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I did my first race in the Notts and Derby league at Hilton fields.
I started on the back row behind 180 others with my 14kg mid 90's bike and managed an awesome finishing position of 150 out of 164.
I was pretty shocked at the toughness and speed of the race, It felt more like a circuit class than a bike race but I cant wait to do it again, I am getting a new bike this week, I'm hoping to finish higher next weekend.0 -
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