[publius]

Well I just recently discovered what cyclocross is and I wanted to try it out. I don't have the money to buy a cyclocross bike this year (just bought a new road bike a few months ago), but I would like to try it out and see if I like it. If I do then maybe I'll invest in a good cross bike next year.

I've got a GT Aggressor MTB that's about three years old and is all stock. I was considering buying some cyclocross tires to put on it (will those work on 26 inch wheels?) and away I go. Will I look like a total idiot going out there to a cyclocross event with my bulky MTB or is it just the sign of a newbie?

What other things would you potentially change (that are relatively cheap) that are essential in a cyclocross event. Thanks!

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[Walkafire]

Good question... we just hired a Gal here at work who just happens to be the "Top Dog" for her age group... she races Cross across the Nation.

I will ask her tomorrow about the MTB~Cross connection.

As far as tires, you should be able to go as narrow as your wheels.

[islenska]

1. yes, you can get 26" cross tyres that go pretty narrow...like 1.75 - 1.9.
2. if you have bar-ends, take them off because they are illegal in cross.
3. practice your dismounts and remounts, and practice shouldering and running with your bike.
4. what kind of pedals do you have? clipless are the way to go.
5. since you most likely have a triple, you might think about adjusting your f.der. to "lock out" the little ring. you wont need it.
6. pre-ride the course and run the lowest tire pressure you can get away with without pinch flatting.
7. depending on your brake setup, you might consider reversing them so that front is on the right, rear on the left....this is to make dismounting easier (so you dont pop the bike up when braking right before you dismount).
8. take off any water bottle cages or other crap thats attached to your bike. you wont be drinking water, and that stuff will get in the way of shouldering.
9. you wont look like an idiot...most cx racers started out doing their first races on mtb's. just go out there and have fun. and prepare to get completely schooled, but dont worry about it...you will learn a ton in the process. good luck!

[publius]

1. yes, you can get 26" cross tyres that go pretty narrow...like 1.75 - 1.9.
2. if you have bar-ends, take them off because they are illegal in cross.
3. practice your dismounts and remounts, and practice shouldering and running with your bike.
4. what kind of pedals do you have? clipless are the way to go.
5. since you most likely have a triple, you might think about adjusting your f.der. to "lock out" the little ring. you wont need it.
6. pre-ride the course and run the lowest tire pressure you can get away with without pinch flatting.
7. depending on your brake setup, you might consider reversing them so that front is on the right, rear on the left....this is to make dismounting easier (so you dont pop the bike up when braking right before you dismount).
8. take off any water bottle cages or other crap thats attached to your bike. you wont be drinking water, and that stuff will get in the way of shouldering.
9. you wont look like an idiot...most cx racers started out doing their first races on mtb's. just go out there and have fun. and prepare to get completely schooled, but dont worry about it...you will learn a ton in the process. good luck!



Awesome advice - thanks a lot. It sounds like I will get schooled, but it sounds like a hell of a lot of fun. I'm hoping to be able to do an event this weekend but if not there's another in about two more weeks.