Couple questions - brakes & chianguards

[TimJ]

I read an article where the guy implied all "real" cross racers reverse their brakes so the rear is on the left and the front on the right, and this is so you can hop off and still apply rear brake pressure. True? Anyone do that?

Chainguards- Anyone care to school me on the types of chainguards and where to find them? I mean both outer- which I can't seem to find for some reason- and inner. I'm aware of the sharktooth inner but am interested in others.

thanks.

[thatguy]

Yes, many cross racers switch the brakes for that reason. It's not really necessary and I'm not sure how many people do it. I never bothered.

Salsa makes some chainguards. The Crossing Guard is for cyclocross. It replaces the outer ring on a double if you're running a single ring in the front. If you're running 2 or more rings in the front, you won't be able to use a chainguard and honestly, i don't see why you would need one. The derailleur would keep the chain from coming off. These are chain guides. They are not bashguards. As for inner, you might be able to fit one where the smallest ring of a triple crankset would go, but that seems even more senseless, IMO.

[TimJ]

I guess I mean chain guides for a single ring up front. I don't know where to find those. For example, I've seen pictures that look like the chain is sandwiched between two thin guides but I've never seen anything like that for sale anywhere.

[thatguy]

Well, I've never seen a double chain guard, but here's some single-ring conversion guards:
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/1278-Bashguards.aspx
Make sure you get one that fits your bolt center diameter.

These other links might answer some questions too:
http://www.bikeman.com/thepit/singleringsetup1.htm
http://www.cycle-smart.com/coaching/articles/crossbike3.html

[moosetoth]

Salsa and Spot make some good chain guards that replace your outer ring and cost WAY less than the FSA carbon ones you see on professional rigs. The 'cycle-smart' link below has good info on doing a double chain guide setup but be warned - this usually requires a longer BB spindle length since you'll be running the equivalent of a 42 or 44-tooth ring to the inside of the actual chainring. IMHO, the outer guard is more usefull because your chain will be looser in the high gears (and is thus prone to falling off to the outside).
Both the Salsa Crossing Guard and the Spot chainguard should run you around $30 or so.

[edit] forgot to mention: in a tight bind you can use any front derailluer and some creative tensioning to achieve the same result. not pretty or lightweight but it works - i've seen quite a few messengers use this

[TimJ]

Thanks.

[ronbridal]

I read an article where the guy implied all "real" cross racers reverse their brakes so the rear is on the left and the front on the right, and this is so you can hop off and still apply rear brake pressure. True? Anyone do that?

Chainguards- Anyone care to school me on the types of chainguards and where to find them? I mean both outer- which I can't seem to find for some reason- and inner. I'm aware of the sharktooth inner but am interested in others.

thanks.

Don't believe the hype about "real" cross racers. The most important thing is you ride your bike and feel out what is most comfortable for you. I admit that I have thought about switching a few things around on my bike, but don't do it simply based upon what I have read here or on the internet. Experience should play the biggest part in your decision about everything. If you don't have ANY experience, then I suggest you go with the standard or norm (standard cable routing :) ) See what you like, and go from there. As far as chain guards, they typically are run with single chainrings and from what I have gathered, you are new to cross racing and would benefit from having the additional gearing ratios a bouble chainring setup would offer. Have fun riding and good luck with all you do.

[joe v]

Real cross racers don't use their brakes!:)

[auk]

Real cross racers don't use their brakes!:)

More truth than most want to admit. I tagged onto a train of top "A" class racers and quickly found that they didn't drop me in the straights, it was they simply relied on the grip of the tires to flow through the corners and used the brakes to regulate. An eye opener for me on that day.

[Timo]

Chainguards in carbonfibre are made by FSA, Spooky, 4ZA and Specialité TA. This is a Specialité TA double setup on one of my bikes...

http://si5.mtb-news.de/fotos/data/500/cranks.jpg

[same time]

Some chainguards and lots of cross stuff available here:

http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/chainrings.html

Not cheap, but a good selection. They've got the 2-guard single ring setup you're describing.

[TimJ]

Cool. This is all future-tripping. I now have a "cyclocross" bike but for the time being I'm gonna leave it how it came and see how I like it. I've been riding nothing but singlespeed and fixed for a while now though so I'm betting I'd be happy with 1x8 or 9.

[moosetoth]

Cool. This is all future-tripping. I now have a "cyclocross" bike but for the time being I'm gonna leave it how it came and see how I like it. I've been riding nothing but singlespeed and fixed for a while now though so I'm betting I'd be happy with 1x8 or 9.

That's so funny, I've had nothing but SS and track for a while too, those 9 speeds are so nice to have all of a sudden. Problem is, I still can't break the habit of doing a track-bike dismount.