Cyclocross conversion for under $100

[jeremyb]

So i started this project on my website (http://www.plusonelap.blogspot.com), to build up a cyclocross bike from the ground up for less than $100. I got a Schwinn CrissCross 1991 bike at a bike auction for $69. It had 700c wheels on it and 700x35c tires as well. Also it had front and rear cantis---which was awesome.

I have stripped the bike down and just finished painting it.

below are some pics, go to my website Plus One Lap (http://www.plusonelap.blogspot.com) for the story.

jeremy

[spunkyruss]

That's a great project. Too much of the cycling world appears to have lost touch with stuff like this.

I'm actively seeking a candidate for a similar transformation.

[cyclotoine]

I would post a pic of my convert as well but don't have access to a digital camera at the moment. Mine is a 1984 tourer with cantis though. I think it will be sick. What kind of wheel do you intend to use? The originals? are they freehub or freewheel?

[jeremyb]

thanks guys,

yeah i have to use the original wheels to keep the price under $100. (its a little misleading cause im trading some of my old parts for stuff i need) and i have some stuff laying around that i wasnt using.

They are Araya aluminum rims laced to joytech hubs---freewheel. I'm just going to run it 1x7 speed i think.

I still need a 7/8 speed barcon shifter, if anyone has one laying around---interested in a trade or a donation?

im going to let the paint harden a little before i start tossing the old parts back on her. its not going to be light thats for sure.

jeremy

[jpearl]

So does this mean that you'll be adding a gallery of bikes that weigh over 18lbs to your blog?

Good luck with the build. It reminds me of my very financially-challenged high school years when I worked att bike shops to afford my cycling addiction and built up "psuedo-cross" bikes any chance I had. My favorite piece of surgery was "crossing-up" my first-ever road bike, a $90 Kent from Toys 'r' Us. I stripped it down to it's bare essentials, added toe-clips and straps to the pedals, then modified them with bolts coming out the back of the pedals for easy remounting, I tricked I learned from reading about the bikes of Paul Curly. This was back in the late 80's, before SPD pedals and dime-a-dozen Konas and Surlys. I never got my much wished for Alan aluminum cyclocross bike, with plastic-shell saddle, but my Cannondale Cyclocross does bring up nice memories.

Can't wait to see the finished build.

[jeremyb]

cool story jpearl.

id like to have another cyclocross bike gallery but i think there are laready a lot of forums that have a bike gallery page, and i'd want mine to be different someway.

I've thought of having a custom cyclocross gallery---for the custom bikes that are made--Sycip, steelman, rock lobster etc.

Dont know if there would be a good response to that though....what do you think?

guess i could put a poll on the website.

jeremy

[jpearl]

Sounds like a good idea, even if custom 'cross bikes might not be too common. I remember seeing one of the custom Vanilla cyclocross bikes reviewed on cyclingnews.com. It was a 19lb steel bike, custom made, and downright beautiful. I don't know if you'll get a lot of responses, but any responses you'll get will be really cool to see. After all, not too many people have sub-18lb (or even sub-14lb, but one guy did it), but the few who do have given us some damn cool bikes to drool over.

[HandsomeRyan]

Sorry to drag up an old thread but I'm going to look at a Crisscross in what appears to be cherry condition for $50 on saturday. If the bike is a good fit; I hope to make an entry-level cross bike out of it. I was wondering how the bike has done so far? Having ridden it for a few seasons, would you recomend it as a starting point for a CX bike?

Thanks.

[TimJ]

I'm not him but the criss cross was lugged cromoly and should make a good, if heavy, cx bike. I'd buy a $50 criss cross in a heartbeat. Lugged chromo w/ cantis = worth more than $50.

[rodri9o]

always good to see someone putting the life back into a nice useable frame.
good work man...moar pics!

[mrtornadohead]

This is what I end up doing all the time - finding some old thing and reworking it. Currently it's a Schwinn Traveler from early '90's that I had sandblasted and repainted, but the clearance is soooo tight that I can just squeeze 32 Campos or a 28 Kenda Kwest. No mud clearance so... off to another frame.

Defintiely looking forward to seeing more of your project, jeremyb. Ultra-cheap build ups are just my speed.

[TimJ]

This thread is over a year old, dudes.

You may look forward to my fabulous conversion, though. I'm turning a trek 700 into a cx bike as we speak.

[Cynikal]

I'm building a bridgestone 400 as a SS CX currently. Originally built for 27's there is plenty of room for 32's with center pull brakes. I'll post something when she is built up.

[plodderslusk]

This weird old contraption set me back a wee bit over a 100 dollars. Ancient Mtb-frame with HP Biopace, I am going to put brake handles on top of the bars as well. Fast and fun.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/plodderslusk/125_2546.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/plodderslusk/125_2548.jpg

[mrtornadohead]

I'm building a bridgestone 400 as a SS CX currently. Originally built for 27's there is plenty of room for 32's with center pull brakes. I'll post something when she is built up.

This is exactly what I do. Had a Miyata 110 that had lots of clearance, worked great! Early 90's Traveler worked almost. Clearance is really REALLY tight with 32c Campos, so no mud clearance. Going to try a Huffy Concours (as far as I've seen it was made by Motobecane). It's not too heavy, so what the heck?

Tried the "monster cross" build with a full rigid Specialized HardRock but it just did not fit me right. I was never quite happy with that. So that may end up a single speeder.