road bike to cyclocross bike

brianpoole
brianpoole Posts: 7
edited July 2013 in Road beginners
being new to road biking ,I miss taking short cuts through trails, gravel paths etc., what would i need to do to convert my bike ,a triban 3, into a cyclocross bike.

Comments

  • me-109
    me-109 Posts: 1,915
    Fat tyres.
    Lower the gearing.
    Change the brakes.
    Swap the frame to fit the above.
    :)
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    The fundamental difference between road and cyclocross bikes is tyre clearance.
    Your Triban probably won't take anything wider than 25-28mm. CX bikes will typically take up to 35-40mm tyres.

    Sell your Triban and get a cyclocross bike. It's more versatile, more fun and with road tyres just as fast.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I run my CX with road tyres .... or a different wheelset with 32mm tyres on - they'll get replaced with 30mm tyres when worn ...
    I've ridden up trails with 23mm tyres - one pinch flat - pushing it too hard on loose rock.
    try the 28mm tyres if you're just up for the occasional track.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Look at what road bikes can do on races like Paris Roubaix. They're very tough.

    I'd ride trails on my road bike. If its too rough then wider tyres are probably all you need. You just need a bit more finesse maybe.

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