Cyclocross - Interested in cyclocross...

Hello all...

I just started getting interested in cyclocross racing, expecially after seeing the series that they have out here in SoCal during the offseason... nothing like getting a bit muddy on the bike! :D

I know I will not be able to race this season (no bike), and my MTB as you can see in the sig is not up to the challenge, but next season is a possability. It really seems that cyclocross is just an adaptation of skills I use as a bike officer... I.e. dismounting and running, mounting on the go, etc. ... and will be fun.

That said I will need a bike for next season to do CX. Now I am 6'6", 38 inch inseem and that eliminates about 80 percent of CX bikes out there... there is one though that I am liking... the cannondale, and at around 1k it is not a bad deal at all.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CUSA/large/5xr8blu.jpg

Now is there any other bikes out there that would fit me like the cdale? BTW the cdale has a 60 cm TT with is equavalent to the trek 2100 63 cm, and it a tiny bit smaller (like my P2K) seat tube.

Also I think it does but does the cdale come with the eyelets for a rack (want to use it for commuting)?

Thanks as always.

some bikes "run" big, so you might not have such a difficult time finding one. for example, the redlines and the ridleys run tall (because they have high bb's).

but you have alot of time to look and try...

if i were you, id start racing asap. just use your mtb and do some this year! then you will have a better idea if you like it or not. and even if you only do 4 races, you will learn alot, and you will see lots of other ppls bikes. cross is low key, so ppl are generally pretty friendly and will be glad to talk to you about their rigs.

imho, a cross racing bike and a commuter are 2 completely different things. so if you plan to use one bike for both, you are going to have to compromise something, whether it be weight, position, ride, or otherwise.

If you want to ensure a proper fit, then get a custom fitting when you purchase the bike. I have the legs of a person who rides the Cannondale CX 52cm frame (my bike), but the upper body of somebody who rides the 50cm. With a custom fitting, my handlebar height, angle, stem length, seat height, and saddle position were all calibrated to my unique body proportions to make my C'dale fit like a glove. You can commute just fine on the C'dale (you can commute just fine on about any bike out there), but in all reality, the C'dale has an appetite for dirt and mud, not racks and traffic.

Hello all...

I just started getting interested in cyclocross racing, expecially after seeing the series that they have out here in SoCal during the offseason... nothing like getting a bit muddy on the bike! :D

I know I will not be able to race this season (no bike), and my MTB as you can see in the sig is not up to the challenge, but next season is a possability. It really seems that cyclocross is just an adaptation of skills I use as a bike officer... I.e. dismounting and running, mounting on the go, etc. ... and will be fun.

That said I will need a bike for next season to do CX. Now I am 6'6", 38 inch inseem and that eliminates about 80 percent of CX bikes out there... there is one though that I am liking... the cannondale, and at around 1k it is not a bad deal at all.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/CUSA/large/5xr8blu.jpg

Now is there any other bikes out there that would fit me like the cdale? BTW the cdale has a 60 cm TT with is equavalent to the trek 2100 63 cm, and it a tiny bit smaller (like my P2K) seat tube.

Also I think it does but does the cdale come with the eyelets for a rack (want to use it for commuting)?

Thanks as always.
Check out the Empella's at cyclocrossworld...they had some 63cm sizes. Remember that Empella's often do not come with water bottle mounts so you would have spec it if you buy one.

I might give it a try... although my MTB is heavy as heck...

I wish I could somehow make my road bike work for it... I hate the look of the 2006 Cdale though... we will see.

i just raced my second cross race ever yesterday and you should do one (or more)this year at least just to get a feel. plus you get to see all kinds of cool cross bikes. hardest 35 minutes (except for last year when i did my first race!) but i plan on doing all 4 of the urban cross series here in so cal. there were plenty of people racing mtn bikes and for your first couple times wouldn't be that bad. at least at yesterday's course there wasn't a ton of carrying the bike. the worst part was a steep uphill but it proved easier to push the bike. it's super fun and SUPER hard. come check one out and try just the men's D/firstimers group.

or do the men's C and smoke me like the rest of the field!
i seriously mighta come in last! :)

How about doing a fix up? As in find a bike and build one pretty cheap. Some of the guys here are pretty tricky dicky with cheap cyclocross bikes. I am creaming of a cyclocross bike. My science teacher from 8th grade has like 3. He just got a new ridley too! It is highly highly possible that I may be able to try one out YIPEEE! :D