Cyclocross - Cross bikes with disc brakes

I am looking for a bike that can handle both regular road and singletrack rides. While I won't be doing anything too hairy, I am a bit afraid that cantis will not have enough stopping power. The trails in my area can be quite steep so I think I would like to go with discs. The Poprad Disc and Cannondale Optimo are the only options I am aware of with the exception of the Salsa La Cruz which wont be out until January. Am I missing anything?

surly karate monkey can be set up pretty crossish.

if you're looking to keep costs down, you could always go for a "mullet." just put a disc compatible fork on any frame with canti studs. the disc up front is usually sufficient.

good luck!

Yeah I thought of switching out the fork for something disc specific. I will need a road specific disc brake and hub right? This seems like a good solution but I was planning on buying the bike while in the US on a month long vacation as I can't get cross stuff over here. I don't know if I will have the time. Hmmm...

the disc brake is standard for mtb/road size wheels. the fork is what needs to be "big wheel" specific. you could probably use a cross fork or a rigid 29er fork. i'd hold off on the fork til i have a frame though. forks with different lengths and rakes can change the bike's geometry, so i'd try to get something that matches the original pretty closely.

Ok, so the spacing is the same on the hub and brake but doesn't the brake have to be special so that it will work with road levers?

Actually the disc brake has to be specific to road levers. Same reason V-brakes usually don't work with drop bars, unless you use some sort of travel agent.


Fortunately Avid makes the BB5 and BB7 in road specific models. The bb7 is supposed to be the best mech disc out there.

Late response to the OP, but there's also the Novara Element from REI:

http://www.rei.com/product/744808

And the Bianchi Roger (but it's singlespeed only):

http://bianchiusa.com/07_roger.html

Then there's the Nashbar cyclocross frame you can build up:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000130&subcategory=60001176&brand=&sku=15767&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Frames%2FBikes

But if you're doing mostly technical trails, I'd go with dirtyphotons' recommendation of a Surly Karate Monkey, though IMO it looks more like a 29'er mountain bike.

I'm prety sure it is a 29er mountain bike. But if you put drop bars on it, the line gets rather smudged. It'l be a relaxed geometry cross bike, basicaly.

I don't know how monkey fork would work on a normal cross bike. I think it's suspension corected, so a disc capable cross-check fork might be a better option. In fact, you oculd even get a cross check complete and put on avid BB7s, and sell the tektros or whatever it comes with. That might even keep you under 1000 bucks, or at leats right around there.

A cross check with discs wil be heavy though, if you care. I'm pretty sure it's over 24 pounds as is. Discs I bet it'l be at least 26.

Am I missing anything?FIXIE inc. PureBlood (http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/)

FIXIE inc. PureBlood (http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/)

Looks cool but its expensive and not available where I live.

http://www.salsacycles.com/lascruces08.html

For the record, Dia-Compe 287-V's (http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1057) work with V-brakes, and mountain disc.

-Rob.

Canti's will provide plenty of stopping power. Only difference is that the discs will lock up your wheels more readily.

I ride cantis AND discs off road, in all conditions. I can't point to a clear winner.

Unless you ride slush daily for 4 months of the year cantis are fine. If you ride in slush for 4 months of the year disc are nice due to the lack of adjusting and better self shedding while riding, they brake a bit better but nothing OMG amazing. If you want to race discs are not legal...having said that in MN cyclocross fun runs I love my discs. Course in fun runs are an entirely differnt situation than a race.

Also:

Opus Sentiero (have to navigate in the site to get to it, it's flash i can't post a direct URL)
http://www.opusbike.com/site.htm

Brodie Ronin
http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php#

Kona Sutra (not exactly cyclocross specific, but has potential?)
http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra.htm