Google sponsored links
I want to convert my fixed gear bike into a cyclocross bike.
Has anyone ever done this before? It would be a commuter/mtb type bike.
And why does everyone have drop bars?
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content
here.
Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
-
http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in
this thread)
-
http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in
this thread)
Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
-
http://www.bikeforums.net
My Van Dessel cross bike is fixed. It came with drop bars.
my cross bike is a flip flop fixed/free. i usually use the fixed side for easy trails and normal riding, but i might try it in a race this year.
i use drop bars because i like having different places to put my hands and i like getting low and aero when i'm riding into the wind. can't speak for everyone.
if you're asking why (almost) no one runs flat/riser bars on their cross bike i'm not quite sure. some people do, and they work quite well for normal riding and racing. i think drops are just the default (plus they have the advantages i mentioned).
And why does everyone have drop bars?
Partly history - there were no MTB's when cross started, just single speed versions of road bikes (remember that they were all fixed gear at one point.)
These days drops are used in cross for the same reasons that they are used on the road - to get areo and to lower your center of grav for corners. I'm on the drops a lot during a race. I'm typically on the hoods during transitions or climbing, otherwise I'm racing the course like it's a technical crit.
And do cyclocross tires usually come with a presta vaulve or a shrader vaulve?
presta or schrader depends on the way your rim is drilled.
Yes but which ones do the tires have?
Which one is more standard?
Whats are your guys opinions on these
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TUD28
And these
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TUT28
You know how to glue a tubular?
I run Cyclocross tubulars on my winter commuter but the bike started as a pair of rims without a plan. Clinchers may be more practical, but oooooh, what a ride a big fat tubular gives.
No I do not know how to glue a tubular.
But I can find out.
Whats are your guys opinions on these
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TUD28
And these
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TUT28
The top is a hard pack/dry course tire while the bottom is for mud. I would only race on tubulars as training on them will only serve to wear them down quickly and put you at risk for a puncture. Many cross clinchers teach you to have more finesse (to avoid pinch flats) and give quite a comparable feel to tubulars at a lower price.
you also need tubular rims for tubular tires...
if you have clincher rims (and i'm gonna wager that you do) the type of valve is dictated by the rim. clincher tires can be run with either schrader or presta valve, it's the tube and rim that need to match up.
No I do not know how to glue a tubular.
But I can find out.
Go here and get learned :)
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=101
I would only race on tubulars as training on them will only serve to wear them down quickly and put you at risk for a puncture.
wearing down the lugs doesn't increase the chance of flatting(though you will have to replace them more frequently). If by "training" you mean practicing cross specific stuff it's important to do it on the same tires as you race on to know their limits. If you mean intervals and whatnot on the road then you should just use plain old road tires.
Noone seems to have pointed this out but since you have a "mtb type bike" you may have 26" rims and need to be looking for mtb tires not cross ones.
wearing down the lugs doesn't increase the chance of flatting(though you will have to replace them more frequently). If by "training" you mean practicing cross specific stuff it's important to do it on the same tires as you race on to know their limits. If you mean intervals and whatnot on the road then you should just use plain old road tires.
Noone seems to have pointed this out but since you have a "mtb type bike" you may have 26" rims and need to be looking for mtb tires not cross ones.
I agree. You should train on the tires you race with. It makes a big difference. I will use my pit bike for most training but will go out at least once a week on the race bike with the race wheels and tires.
wearing down the lugs doesn't increase the chance of flatting(though you will have to replace them more frequently). If by "training" you mean practicing cross specific stuff it's important to do it on the same tires as you race on to know their limits. If you mean intervals and whatnot on the road then you should just use plain old road tires.
Noone seems to have pointed this out but since you have a "mtb type bike" you may have 26" rims and need to be looking for mtb tires not cross ones.
I do not have a mtb type bike.
I have a road bike which I'm looking to convert to a cross bike. It's not intervals on the road. School commute on weekdays, with possible section of dirt road. And dirt rides on weekends.
Does your bike have cantilever mounts? Clearance for larger tires? Any features that would make it even remotely suitable for offroad riding?
Previous -
Top -
Next
Copyright 1999 - 2007
BikeForums.Net - All rights reserved.
Common bike forum topics in clue bicycles, cycling, mountain biking,
cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.