Frame/Components

[jrmohan]

If I wanted to take a 15+ year old Cannondale road bike. Slap on some 'Cross tires and race it what are the odds that it would fail catastrophicaly. Or would I be alright to race it?

[hamr22]

The more important point would be whether you could get tires in there that were bigger that 25mm or 28mm. My guess is that your cannondale has short reach breaks. that being said, rocking the 23mm road tires on a muddy cross course would cause you to stand out, for better or worse.

[jrmohan]

If I could pick up a set of old cantilever longer reach brakes would I be alright?

[Psydotek]

Maybe, but the other concern is would the chainstays, seatstays, and fork be able to accomodate the wider tires too?

[jpearl]

It all depends if your C'dale is a racing bike, a "sport touring bike", or a touring bike, from former to latter, your chance of getting wider tires onto the bike increases. As for "catastrophic failure" your biggest area of concern would be the wheels. The frame should hold up fine, and so should most of the parts in general, but as for wheels, you'll want a set of beefed-up hoops. Not that you'll be racing in mountain bike-like conditions, but rather on grass, gravel, dirt, and mud.

I would reccomend posting a picture of your bike, and we can then give you a better idea of what the bike can and cannot handle, and what you would need to modify for CX riding and racing.

[auk]

I used to fit Vittoria Tigre Cross tires on my old Cannondale 3.0 road. They were 27c clinchers. A few companies still make the narrow cross tires.

It is worth a try. As far a breaking, short of piling it into a barrier or a major crash, you'll be fine.

[ecidream]

Hi, don't want to hi-jack this thread but this was the closest topic to my question which may be dumb but here goes.

I have a an old nishiki mtb that is about 13 years old. I stripped it down and converted it into a single speed. it works great except that it's a little sluggish with the old mtb rims, even with street tires. I was wondering two things:

1. is it possibile to put cyclocross wheels on this frame? I don't know much about cyclocross and am figuring that the wheels are more like roadies (larger diameter) then the mtb's are......

2. if it is possible, is it worth it? or should I just suck it up and buy a cross bike?

I live in the city and it's pretty much flat, really no need for gears. plus because the bike is old and single speed less attractive to be stolen.

[jrmohan]

Mine too is a 3.0 Criterium series. So you say 27c will fit?

[auk]

Yes, It was tight, but they fit just the same. Made for lots of options on rides, as gravel roads were much more fun and snow on the road was never an issue.

Whatever you decide, let us know how you make out.