Ryanpmb Posted February 15, 2015 Share I've actually been thinking about this for some time. Out in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, beyond the tar roads, there is some epic enduro riding waiting to be discovered. I've stood at the top of distant "road to nowhere" tar passes out there that peter out to dirt roads, frustrated to hell that I can't go any further with my Tarmac. Google Earth shows vast swathes of untapped mountainous country that makes me very itchy. I originally thought of my next bike being a CX bike so that I could ride into the Valley + backpack and when I get to these special places, just keep going. But now tossing up the idea of a monstercross bike, because connecting all these places are also endless goat tracks and paths as well. On another note, I've also thought about a moustache handlebar being a good idea for the Freedom Challenge (when I eventually get round to it), esp. those long flat headwind stretches I hear about in the Karoo. What do you reckon, think it could work? A pic of at the top of one of those road-to-nowhere tar passes looking out to what still needs to be explored... Your first paragraph describes exactly why I built my Cotic and what I use it for. Of course it can work - Personally I wouldn't be able to find Luxy type bars with a wide enough flat top for such a ride. But many guys use them on backpacking/ touring type setups. Depends what kind of RASA you're attempting I guess. tombeej 1 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 15, 2015 Share Your first paragraph describes exactly why I built my Cotic and what I use it for. Of course it can work - Personally I wouldn't be able to find Luxy type bars with a wide enough flat top for such a ride. But many guys use them on backpacking/ touring type setups. Depends what kind of RASA you're attempting I guess.A nice H bar would work. http://blog.jonesbikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/blog_titecwrap2.jpg Edited February 15, 2015 by the nerd Chro Mo and tombeej 2 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548751 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanpmb Posted February 15, 2015 Share A nice H bar would work. http://blog.jonesbikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/blog_titecwrap2.jpg Yeah agreed. I would use my Carnegies before a Luxy on FC. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548752 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 15, 2015 Share Yeah agreed. I would use my Carnegies before a Luxy on FC. The only thing is proper H bars cost more than a Cross frame... What wheels did you run before the Enves? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanpmb Posted February 15, 2015 Share The only thing is proper H bars cost more than a Cross frame... What wheels did you run before the Enves? On the X? Built it up with the ENVE's first time. On my SIR I had Crests before building up my ENVE XCs. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548760 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 15, 2015 Share On the X? Built it up with the ENVE's first time. On my SIR I had Crests before building up my ENVE XCs.Ya on the X. I'm struggling to find mtb spaced brake track rims don't want to go to discs if I don't have to. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548765 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanpmb Posted February 15, 2015 Share Ya on the X. I'm struggling to find mtb spaced brake track rims don't want to go to discs if I don't have to.PM'd Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548768 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monark Posted February 15, 2015 Share So if I had to convert my Momsen SS could I keep my Giant 29er wheels? What tyres should I run? Skinnier cx tyres? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548803 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 15, 2015 Share So if I had to convert my Momsen SS could I keep my Giant 29er wheels? What tyres should I run? Skinnier cx tyres?Ya you can put on cx tyres. I've run 35c x tyres on my 29er wheels. Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chro Mo Posted February 15, 2015 Share A nice H bar would work. http://blog.jonesbikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/blog_titecwrap2.jpgI would prefer the Loop, but cost is a huge factor now...130 quid for a handlebar is quite pricey. http://www.yesweareontheweb.com/jones/ Drool! Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548837 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted February 15, 2015 Share Jeez some cool stuff you okes have posted but the challenge for me was to use as much as I had in my garage to keep the cost down but end up with as close as possible to the monstercross idea. It is now ready to ride and I did a quick suburb shake down ride, tar mostly and then a bit of 'off road' through the servitude. On the tar it felt like a heavy road bike and that's about it besides that weird feeling when you go for the brakes and it doesn't have that bite hydraulic discs have ....... In the bit of jeep track and windy single track there is around home I noticed that as Eldron said you need to ride with your hands on the hoods else you are just too far away from the brakes! Plan a ride up Butchers hill tomorrow afternoon and back via the yellow route at Thaba. Will report back and hopefully have some pics in the sun and it's natural hunting grounds [emoji41] nonky 1 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 15, 2015 Share I would prefer the Loop, but cost is a huge factor now...130 quid for a handlebar is quite pricey. http://www.yesweareontheweb.com/jones/ Drool! thats the thing is so pricey but purpose built. Those US okes know a thing or two about huge Distance Single Stage Rides... Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2548963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted February 16, 2015 Share "that sweet middle ground between a cyclocross bike and a 29’er that makes it the best all around bike one can build" Equally at home at the road bikers coffee stop ... Or the trailhead coffee shop .... Need your wits about you but it was lekker in some single track Thanks to these guys for putting up with all my crap This pic probably sums up this bike best! nonky, Hairy, tombeej and 1 other 4 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2550169 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Lekker Bennie, where has Justin moved his shop to, as I see it's different from when I was last there, just before the highways were starting to be done a few years ago? Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2550192 Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted February 16, 2015 Share Lekker Bennie, where has Justin moved his shop to, as I see it's different from when I was last there, just before the highways were starting to be done a few years ago? Its now in Meyersdal Mall... Its a way better location for him! NotSoBigBen and CAAD4 2 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2550194 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotSoBigBen Posted February 16, 2015 Share Meyersdal Mall by the Steers, Spar and that. CAAD4 1 Link to comment https://forum.bikehub.co.za/topic/123076-how-to-build-a-monstercross-bike-101/page/15/#findComment-2550195 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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