Brakes and things.

Hi all,
Mountain biker at heart, just picked up a second hand Spesh Tricross to do some winter work and with intent of doing C2C next year and the odd sportive.
Considering its entry level brakes and 2300 shifters I have been well pleased and found it quite comfortable on three or so hour rides.
I'm no speed freak, ride for fun and not interested in weight reduction etc.
Couple of things:
I cannot justify a roady so planning on riding this all year. Can people advise:
1) Are avid shorty ultimate good? The brakes are the one weakness I have found and need replacing. i have had these recommended.
2) Can I just put slick tyres on in the summer or do I need road specific wheels for slicks as well. If I need different wheels any recommendations so I can be on the lookout. If its just slick tyres then again, any recommendations?
3) The tyres I have will need replacing at some point. Any recommendations for a half decent cross tyre for pottering around with?
4) any other things worth thinking about doing or looking out for on a cross bike (never had one before).......
any ideas gratefully gratefully recieved.....:)
Slow
Mountain biker at heart, just picked up a second hand Spesh Tricross to do some winter work and with intent of doing C2C next year and the odd sportive.
Considering its entry level brakes and 2300 shifters I have been well pleased and found it quite comfortable on three or so hour rides.
I'm no speed freak, ride for fun and not interested in weight reduction etc.
Couple of things:
I cannot justify a roady so planning on riding this all year. Can people advise:
1) Are avid shorty ultimate good? The brakes are the one weakness I have found and need replacing. i have had these recommended.
2) Can I just put slick tyres on in the summer or do I need road specific wheels for slicks as well. If I need different wheels any recommendations so I can be on the lookout. If its just slick tyres then again, any recommendations?
3) The tyres I have will need replacing at some point. Any recommendations for a half decent cross tyre for pottering around with?
4) any other things worth thinking about doing or looking out for on a cross bike (never had one before).......
any ideas gratefully gratefully recieved.....:)
Slow
0
Posts
best out there. also check out trp. the traditional 'cross choise
2) Can I just put slick tyres on in the summer or do I need road specific wheels for slicks as well. If I need different wheels any recommendations so I can be on the lookout. If its just slick tyres then again, any recommendations?
you dont need to buy another wheelset to change to road tires unless you want the ease op swapping them. also cross wheels tend to be a bit weighty so upgrading to a road wheelset for sportives may be something to consider.
as far as tires go. id wholeheartedly recommend Durano 622-28 with kevlar bead for your purpose.
3) The tyres I have will need replacing at some point. Any recommendations for a half decent cross tyre for pottering around with?
cross tires is something altogether different. much more to consider like terrain and such. clement, again, for me is the traditional 'cross choice in wet and grimy conditions.
4) any other things worth thinking about doing or looking out for on a cross bike (never had one before).......
most important to get a good fit. get someone to help you look over your position on the bike. most people benefit from rotating the bars and sometimes shiftlever upwards to offer more controll on the hoods and a little more comfort. other than that its just down to your experience and fun you will have riding the bike.
good luck!
3) Clement PDX for the mud, MXP for Mixed. Also the Vittoria XG's are a good all rounder.
looks like brakes first then a set of slicks...
cheers to both of you.
Slow
my road bikes. I have 2 wheelsets - fulcrum racing for road tyres and the stock wheels for everything else.
It's a good all round bike - it's no quite as aero as the road bikes, but it makes up for it in versatility.
For road use in the summer I use 23mm gp4 seasons - standard road tyre - works well for me and I use the 4000s on the road bikes.
Winter commutes I've gone to some 32mm flakjacket tyres I had from another ride as there is plenty of life on them - otherwise is probably have got some wider 4seasons.
Brakes wise - I replaced the stock pads and that improved the braking but I'd like to replace the brakes at some point.
It is important to make sure the bike fits you - I ended up with a longer stem as I felt cramped on the road - off road it was fine though - all a compromise!
I wouldn't recommend them for racing (due to how close to the rim I had to run the pad), but for general riding, commuting etc they were just the ticket. Clocked up many a mile on them.
http://www.bike24.com/p212060.html
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
Even better, thank you!
I'm in the same place as the OP - the cantis on my CX bike are awful - they don't judder any more, but braking power is shocking, but inevitably the races I do are proper muddy. I'd like to improve the braking (for general use rather than racing) but not if it means I'm going to have to poke large clods out from the brake arms every other lap!
Have since changed to DA 9000 levers with CX70 cantis (stock pads) and lever feel, mud/rim clearance is far far better, as for ultimate braking power I`d say there a good match!!! presume this is down to the 9000 levers having a higher mechanical advantage than the 6700`s....
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
Tried both 8.4s and 9`s but the 8.4`s stayed on the bike ......