Ritchey Swiss Cross

[KeatonR]

I'm thinking about selling my Swiss Cross and need advice. I bought it about five years ago thinking it would be more of an all-in-one bike, but one thing that prevented it from serving that purpose is that it doesn't take as wide a tire in the rear as some others. So I'm thinking about selling it on craigslist and trying to get an '04 LeMond Poprad, if I can still find one (I want the Reynolds frame, and I like the black).

Anyway, what should I ask for the Ritchey? It's a 56cm, with 105 STI shifters, Ultegra derailers, XTR hubs, v-brakes.

And generally, is this a good move?
Thanks!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=19176

[Surferbruce]

don't sell it you'll regret it!! those bike are so cool...
seriously how wide can you go in the rear?

[KeatonR]

30 seems to be the max, but not all 30s even fit. For example, the Ritchey Speedmax fits, and I like that tire. So I figured this other 30 tire would fit, the Michelin Cyclocross Mud tire, http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Cyclocross+Mud+Tire&vendorCode=MICH&major=8&minor=2

but I emailed the sales guys at that place and they said maybe not ...

For the model year after mine, Ritchey apparently made things a bit better in this department.

[ZenNMotion]

The 30c michelin muds are pretty fat knobby tires for cyclocross so it wouldnt suprise me that they may not work with the narrow spacing of the old-school Swiss Cross models of a few years ago. I have a mid-80s Columbus steel German cross frame with the same issue of narrow rear spacing, that's just the way they made 'em. 30c Michelin Jets (low profile) will barely fit, and 30c knobby Muds, no way. The michelins are really more like 35-38c in reality. The stated width of tires is to be taken with a grain of salt- you never know the true dimensions until they are mounted and inflated. If you want a frame with more clearance, the most economical way would be to look for a used cross frame, switch over the components and sell the Swiss Cross. But tight roadbike-like dimensions and narrowish tires handle beautifully in not-so-muddy conditions, so if you're really not gonna ride it in the gunk, you might just want to keep your bike. - Its a nice steel frame that you should have no problem selling on Ebay or something (steel cross frames are popular and are getting hard to find), and you could buy a used one for about the same price, especially if you are willing to consider Aluminum. I would expect your whole bike might sell at around $650-$700 on Ebay depending on the wheels and the condition, or just the frame and fork to sell for $200-$250 if it looks good. Especially now when people are starting to think about building up a cross bike for Fall. Selling the whole bike to replace with another bike is the most expensive option- you already have a nice set of components that work well for cross racing or all around riding on and off road.

[KeatonR]

Definitely a tough call. I actually live in a pretty dry climate, it's just that I'd like the option of going fatter. I dunno, I guess I'll have to think it over. But either way, I want to stick with steel (I don't own anything but). And I just found a shop with an '05 Poprad, so I'm gonna go have a look at it tonight just for reference.

[ZenNMotion]

Your Ritchey is a really nice steel frame, and so is the Poprad so I guess it depends on whether and how much you want to pay for the switch. FWIW, a favorite tire set-up for a lot of guys I ride cross with for most cross courses and non-tech singletrack is to mount a Mich low-profile Jet on the rear, and a Mich. Mud on the front. This works on my skinny-*** rear end until the mud gets thick or soupy but we don't see a whole lot of that here in the East, compared to Bay area/Portland at least. If you are mostly riding in dry conditions you don't need a real fat tire much anyway. If you really get bit by the cyclocross disease (I made the mistake of watching the Nationals one year and have been sick with it since) you will eventually want a second bike for exchanges anyway. I'd be inclined toward patience- keep riding that sweet Ritchey and keep your eye out for a used steel frame with more clearance. There are some small framebuilders around that specialize in cyclocross and will sell you a frame for a very reasonable price as well. These are more than worth every penny, the ultimate cool in my book, and these guys deserve to survive in the Age of Giants and Treks. Here's a few, look around for others- put an enquiry on frameforum.net and you'll get some other names.

http://www.steelmancycles.com/eurocross.html
http://www.huntercycles.com/
http://www.lyonsport.com/web/lyon_frames.html

[KeatonR]

Took the Poprad out for a test ride this week, interesting bike. The Ritchey's more refined, whereas the Lemond is more burly. And oddly, although the Lemond says 55cm on the frame, it feels bigger than the 56cm Ritchey. So I'm not sure where that leaves me. I guess I'm gathering information but leaning toward sticking with the Swiss Cross.