[mlwarriner]

is this even a realistic option to get started into cyclocross? i've got a good MTB rig, but would like to venture into 'cross. can i just basically add on some drop bars, narrower tires and go? or is the geometry different enough between MTBs and 'cross bikes that i'd be doing something dumb?


buying a 'cross frame or whole bike right now is out of the question. i suppose i could sell off my MTB and get a CX rig, but i'm afraid i wouldn't get much back on my investment in the MTB. the used market here is fairly slow i think...


please and thanks. and sorry if this idea has been beaten to death in other threads, i'm new here. please be gentle :D:D

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[Dabbo]

You don't even need to change bars, most CX races allow flat bars, you might want to remove bar ends.
Get some narrow tires and start running, and by the way it helps if your mtb does not have cables running either on the left side or bottom of your top tube....
I raced this year in Portland Oregon with my old GT, it is a total recycled bike and it did just fine.
I use Schwalbe CX Pro tires, they are 1.5 and works good for CX.
Have fun!
Ciao
Paolo

[mlwarriner]

what about shifters? right now, my MTB is running SRAM x.9 triggers. i know they'll still work with the components, but what about actually using them? if i go with drop bars, where do i mount the shifters? on the top of the bars? out on the ends of the bends?

[Dabbo]

That is why you should not switch bars, you would need new brifters. You would also need a new stem, bars, cables, tape etc.
Not so cheap after all...

[Deanster04]

What about the height of the brake bosses for the cantilevers. They may be too low if you are going for real cross wheels.

[Dabbo]

I don't think you can change wheels, without mayor modifications, the Schwalbe tires are for 26 inch wheel, a regular mtb wheel. And they work just fine.

[alreadyblue]

Don't bother changing your MTB bike. Just run with it. If you're racing in the C category there will be plenty of guys on Mountain bikes. Even some B racers use mountain bikes. Cross season is over anyway, you won't be racing until late next summer anyway.

[endform]

Just use the mtb bike, guys here do it all the time. You can't really shoulder it if the frame is real compact (like most modern mtbs), but that's about the only major flaw I can think of.

Changing bars would be a HUGE pain, also you'd need a new front der if you got brifters because mtb front is not compatable with road front.

[kemmer]

That is why you should not switch bars, you would need new brifters. You would also need a new stem, bars, cables, tape etc.
Not so cheap after all...

Unless he went SS or used bar end shifters. The big expense is the shifters, everything else is cheap or even free.

I agree though, keeping the old flat bars is easier.

[TimJ]

I went to my first cx race a couple months ago (just watching) and yes, there were a number of mtbs, even a guy on a 89 or so rockhopper, so it's no big deal. I think skinnier tires are a good way to go just because you'll have to run sometimes and with the skinny tires you save some weight.

One guy did something sort of weird and cool to his mtb, he had a 700c wheels with cyclocross fork on the front and no brake on the rear cuz he was riding fixed. He had on-one midge bars it too. An older bontrager frame, I believe. Not saying that's the way to go just that it was kind of cool. I also saw a dude racing his stock redline 9-2-5, which was cool.

[caloso]

Bumping this thread because I'm CX-curious and I'm mulling my options with my existing bikes. Originally, I thought about using my '89 Trek 660, but I don't think I can fit a 28mm or bigger tire under the brakes. I also have a '90 Specialized Rock Hopper. It's heavy as hell, but it's bombproof and easy to ride.

TimJ, do you recall if the Rock Hopper guy had flat bars or drops? I prefer drops and that seems to be the way that CX bikes are set up.

[dirtyphotons]

at my race last weekend there were several guys with flat bars and a few on standard setup mtbs.

if you can shoulder it while simultaneously suppressing the urge to vomit i'd say it's golden.

[Dabbo]

Caloso, I would go with the Rock Hopper and keep the flat bars, some places you can use bar ends, or sometime they are not allowed. I would get the Swalbe tires, they make a big difference and make sure to check on the pressure, my first race I got a flat on the third lap, lesson learned.
If the course is techinical you will have some advantage with a mtb over the cross riders, if it is smooth and straight make sure you get some air in the tires....
Ciao
Paolo

[caloso]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking this could be fun.