Introductions - cyclocross newbie

Hello everyone,

Cleveland has some of the worst roads I've ever seen in an American city. So for commuting and all around versatility I decided to go with a cyclocross bike. I'm totally new to cyclocross, so any advice is welcome!

I bought an '07 LeMond Poprad frameset that I'll be building up over the next few weeks. So far, the biggest choice is the wheelset. Lots of folks recommend the Open Pros, but I wonder what other reasonably priced wheels are good bang for the buck.

I look forward to talking with all of you!

Hello jitensha101, hehehe, sounds as if the cyclocross bike is a good choice if the roads are that bad! Sorry, can't help you with wheels (all my bikes are vintage except for one), but I'm certain that someone will come along and give you some ideas.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Hello everyone,

Cleveland has some of the worst roads I've ever seen in an American city. So for commuting and all around versatility I decided to go with a cyclocross bike. I'm totally new to cyclocross, so any advice is welcome!

I bought an '07 LeMond Poprad frameset that I'll be building up over the next few weeks. So far, the biggest choice is the wheelset. Lots of folks recommend the Open Pros, but I wonder what other reasonably priced wheels are good bang for the buck.

I look forward to talking with all of you!

Greetings fellow CX'er!

You really can't go wrong with a set of Open Pro's laced to the hub of your choice. If you buy one of the pre-built Open Pro's laced to Shimano/Campy hubs sold on Performance Bike or through QBP (i.e. Quality Wheelhouse - via your LBS (local bike shop)) you can get a very good wheel for a very good price.

Great choice on the CX bike for your road conditions. Here in the Detroit area, we can surely sympathize with you. ;)

I love my CX bikes! One is a dedicated race bike, but the other is my all-purpose, do-it-all, bike.

Racer:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/633/carpediem2006rrperspective800uu4.jpg

All-Purpose CX:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2980/ccrrperspectiver2aly8.jpg

Welcome to BF.


Cleveland has some of the worst roads I've ever seen in an American city. So for commuting and all around versatility I decided to go with a cyclocross bike.
Same here. Atlanta has terrible streets and the patch jobs on the roads are worse, so my commuter is a Jamis Nova (steel) cross bike. (see pics in signature)

I'm running the stock wheels that came on the bike - nothing special - Mavic MA3 rims and Shimano Tiagra hubs. No problems in almost 3 years.




®andyA - those are some awesome looking bikes but they look too clean. ;)

Deep V rims (30 mm)

thanks for the advice...I did end up buying a set of OPs with Ultegra hubs. I havn't used them yet since I'm still collecting other bits and pieces for the build.

Another question: What are your thoughts on alu. steerer tubes in terms of passing on road shock? I'm thinking about going with the Ritchey Comp Carbon Cross fork but I wonder if the alu. steerer tube will add significant road shock, if at all. My other (and cheaper option) is with the Surly Cross Check fork--any advice?

thanks!!

Carbon is very good for absorbing shock, as is cro-moly steel. I would personally stay away from aluminium forks, especially if you are already looking at the Ritchey Comp Carbon or Surly Cross Check forks. I would probably go with the Surly Cross Check fork myself.

Just my opinion, though!

East Hill