samson99 Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 where can i look for a second hand cyclo cross bike? thinking of using it as a alternative in winter on the road to prevent to many punctures. any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Tumbleweed Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 build yourself up an mountain bike with drop bars.
samson99 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Posted January 23, 2009 do i use a fork or a front shock? fork aluminium or carbon? not to clued up on the components of a cyclocross bike. mtb drivetrain?
Tumbleweed Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 the top riders use carbon rigs, but that's a bit pricey. the cyclocross bike have better mud clearance, and use cantilever brakes, but the drivetrain would be the same i think.
Jules Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 CX bikes typically don't have any suspension. The frame and fork has extra space for thick tyres and special bosses for cantilever brakes. The problem with building a MTB with drop bars is that STI levers do not pull enough cable for V-brakes. You will need to get a special adaptor or get cantilever brakes.
Tumbleweed Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 CX bikes typically don't have any suspension. The frame and fork has extra space for thick tyres and special bosses for cantilever brakes. The problem with building a MTB with drop bars is that STI levers do not pull enough cable for V-brakes. You will need to get a special adaptor or get cantilever brakes. yup, like the ones they use on tandems. here's some pics of mine. https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=33539&KW=alice&PN=3
samson99 Posted January 23, 2009 Author Posted January 23, 2009 if you would recommend a components list, what would it be? the mid range stuff? i assume all the components would be available locally?
Jules Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 CX bikes typically don't have any suspension. The frame and fork has extra space for thick tyres and special bosses for cantilever brakes. The problem with building a MTB with drop bars is that STI levers do not pull enough cable for V-brakes. You will need to get a special adaptor or get cantilever brakes. ? yup' date=' like the ones they use on tandems. here's some pics of mine. ? https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=33539&KW=alice&PN=3[/quote'] Thanks Holy. I'm considering putting a front V-brake on my CX bike. Think it'll help?
Jules Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 if you would recommend a components list' date=' what would it be? the mid range stuff? i assume all the components would be available locally?[/quote'] Mid-to-bottom Shimano stuff is fine. If you get a proper CX frame, I'd suggest spending a little extra on decent wheels. Cheap road wheels probably won't stand up to offroad riding, if that's what you plan to use it for. I have Easton Vistas on my CX bike. Jules2009-01-23 08:23:28
Tumbleweed Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 CX bikes typically don't have any suspension. The frame and fork has extra space for thick tyres and special bosses for cantilever brakes. The problem with building a MTB with drop bars is that STI levers do not pull enough cable for V-brakes. You will need to get a special adaptor or get cantilever brakes. yup' date=' like the ones they use on tandems. here's some pics of mine. https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=33539&KW=alice&PN=3[/quote'] Thanks Holy. I'm considering putting a front V-brake on my CX bike. Think it'll help? gives plenty of stopping power. those converters are about R170 each. been over the bars a few times!
Tumbleweed Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 if you would recommend a components list' date=' what would it be? the mid range stuff? i assume all the components would be available locally?[/quote'] pm kiwi. he'll steer you in the right direction.
Guttersnipe Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 My CX bike came stock with mostly ultegra and a 12-27 cassette. I found the canti's pretty hopeless at first, but I've spent a bit of time fiddling with them, and they are adequate now - there's on old bontrager article you'll find via google on how to get decent stopping power out of them. Disc brakes would be nicer of course, and a few american cx frames come with disc mounts. SRAM Rival seems to be a popular call in the states, but I wish mine was campag, for interchangeability with my road bike. I've made two changes to the setup: compact cranks were crucial. I'm not using the bike (sadly) for racing around a 2km circuit in a park, and the 48/38 upfront was hellish for climbs to the blockhouse, radio mast, etc. I've now got an ultegra 50/34 on, and I'm really happy with it. Its overgeared for some of the steep jeep tracks, but in a fun way that seems to fit the personality of the whole endeavour. I've also just converted it to tubeless using stan's cx conversion kit and his tubeless ready 700x35 "The Raven" tyres. Far fewer punctures, much better traction, immeasurably better comfort, sadly rather expensive. I'd quite like a "monster cross" 29er with dirt drop bars and cable actuated discs, but the thing that is cool about the cx bike is that its twitchy handling and generally sketchiness make it really really fun to ride, even on the most familiar trails, so I am not going to change it just yet.
Willehond Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 A couple of things about cross bikes and what makes them different:. 1. Cantilever brakes - you can't fit them on a standard roadbike frame! I wanted to, but have to give up on the idea (both the fork and the frame are cross specific).2. The angles of the frame make the bike a lot more ' upright' to make stomping through the course easier.3. the top tube of the frame is a traditional frame (not sloping top tube!), so that you can carry it over your shoulder.4. the cables are also routed above the top tube, also to help with carrying the bike and avoiding pain to the shoulders.5. the front chainrings are the smallest they can fit on a compact crank for smooth pedalling through the muck, sand and mud.6. disk brakes, shocks and fatter tyres are forbidden (in Europe anyway).7. True cyclo bikes only have DuGast tubbies on! Yes, TUBBIES.8. Carbon frames are the new rage. The only thing that has been modernised in ages!9. EDIT: I forgot: the bottom bracket is also higher than on a road bike for extra clearance. Does this make sense in SA conditions? No, I don't think so. These bikes suck at climbing and weren't made to do that. They are purpose built for weird mud/road conditions. Do they make sense? No. Do I want one? YOU BET!!!Willehond2009-01-26 15:18:40
JacoSchalkwyk Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 A couple of things about cross bikes and what makes them different:. 1. Cantilever brakes - you can't fit them on a standard roadbike frame! I wanted to' date=' but have to give up on the idea (both the fork and the frame are cross specific).2. The angles of the frame make the bike a lot more ' upright' to make stomping through the course easier.3. the top tube of the frame is a traditional frame (not sloping top tube!), so that you can carry it over your shoulder.4. the cables are also routed above the top tube, also to help with carrying the bike and avoiding pain to the shoulders.5. the front chainrings are the smallest they can fit on a compact crank for smooth pedalling through the muck, sand and mud.6. disk brakes, shocks and fatter tyres are forbidden (in Europe anyway).7. True cyclo bikes only have DuGast tubbies on! Yes, TUBBIES.8. Carbon frames are the new rage. The only thing that has been modernised in ages!9. EDIT: I forgot: the bottom bracket is also higher than on a road bike for extra clearance. Does this make sense in SA conditions? No, I don't think so. These bikes suck at climbing and weren't made to do that. They are purpose built for weird mud/road conditions. Do they make sense? No. Do I want one? YOU BET!!![/quote'] Eugene, het jy ook te veel Espresso gedrink? Wat de f0k maak mens nog op die hub die tyd van die nag?
Willehond Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 Dis nou eers halfelf hier in cyclocross wereld en ek kyk CSI met een oog en die Hub is my homepage! Lekker stil in die huis. Wat is jou verkoning!!!OK, OK, ek gaan slaap...
TheLegend Posted January 26, 2009 Posted January 26, 2009 A couple of things about cross bikes and what makes them different:. 1. Cantilever brakes - you can't fit them on a standard roadbike frame! I wanted to' date=' but have to give up on the idea (both the fork and the frame are cross specific).2. The angles of the frame make the bike a lot more ' upright' to make stomping through the course easier.3. the top tube of the frame is a traditional frame (not sloping top tube!), so that you can carry it over your shoulder.4. the cables are also routed above the top tube, also to help with carrying the bike and avoiding pain to the shoulders.5. the front chainrings are the smallest they can fit on a compact crank for smooth pedalling through the muck, sand and mud.6. disk brakes, shocks and fatter tyres are forbidden (in Europe anyway).7. True cyclo bikes only have DuGast tubbies on! Yes, TUBBIES.8. Carbon frames are the new rage. The only thing that has been modernised in ages!9. EDIT: I forgot: the bottom bracket is also higher than on a road bike for extra clearance. Does this make sense in SA conditions? No, I don't think so. These bikes suck at climbing and weren't made to do that. They are purpose built for weird mud/road conditions. Do they make sense? No. Do I want one? YOU BET!!![/quote'] what about the people in the vrystaat? perfect 'road bike' for their endless and flat farm roads!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now