cyclocross bike

[meradi]

Hi,

Next year I'm probably going to buy a new(er) bike. Mainly used for commuting but also would like to explore the trails and not be limited to the road.
But the bikes are so very expensive!
Could anyone tell me how they think it would turn out if I took a hybrid bike like a schwinn sierra (with the 700c wheels though), and put road handlebars on it?
Or, if anyone has other ideas on a relatively cheap cyclocross bike, I'm glad to listen!
Brian
PS I ride an old schwinn traveler right now, but I don't think it would accomodate larger tires or wheels. Thanks.

[JonR]

There's certainly no rule against putting drop bars on a hybrid bike, or on a mountain bike for that reason. It would probably look cool--at least I think it would. :D

As for handling, there's one way to find out--try it and see.

[Moose]

One of my cycle-addicted sisters has a pair of cool bar ends that converted her hybrid handlebars to drops. Haven't a clue where she got them but I suppose I could find out. Seeemed like a lot less trouble than a complete retrofit. One disadvantage was that the brake lever, still in it's original position, would not be accessible from the drops.

Moose

[JonR]

When I wrote the above post, I didn't stop to think about all the finagling and changing things that would have to be done. Later, somebody posted in another thread, by coincidence, that it would be a lot of trouble and expense to put drops on a hybrid or mountain bike because of having to change brake levers, shifters, and cables.

So it may not be very practical, unless somebody has a lot of spare, usable parts lying around.

I do think cyclocross bikes look great and I am attracted to the durability aspect. I can show you streets in Kansas City that are the equivalent of a rough off-road trail, no exaggeration.