i'm really looking into a cyclocross rig; what are my cheapest options?

Do you want to race?

What's your budget?

Are you singlespeed friendly?

Can you build it up yourself (bikesdirect)?

i can indeed build up myself, and I am definitely singlespeed friendly (my main bike is a converted fixed gear)
my budget is basically as cheap as possible
racing would be sweet on the horizon, but as of now I'm looking more for fun

Bianchi San Jose if you want singlespeed. Plenty of people race it, too.

As cheap as possible doesn't really mean much either. I mean, you could find an old touring bike and make it into a passable cross bike for under 200 dollars.

The Redline conquest sport has sora and even lower components. Besides bikesdirect it's probably the cheapest geared bike available.

Hey guys and gals, weighing the option of posting a way similar thread, or jumping on board with this one (apologies, Brett).

I'm in the same boat, however a bit more specific. Since riding on/stopping with discs for the first time, I've wanted to get what is essentially a road bike with disc brakes. I don't want to spend more than $700-$900, not a racer (more of a commuter), and pretty much just want the big wheel action with the MTB disc experience. My current road bike is a low-end Fuji, but I like it - problem is, no disc compatability in the back. I could get the front taken care of with a custom build wheel and some new forks, but would rather have disc on both.

Thoughts?

Sometimes cheap is expensive because you wind up with a piece of crap. For $799 I purchased a new Surly Crosscheck that will last a long time. Cheap is one thing , best value is another thing. Don`t be cheap.

Sometimes cheap is expensive because you wind up with a piece of crap. For $799 I purchased a new Surly Crosscheck that will last a long time. Cheap is one thing , best value is another thing. Don`t be cheap.

Without the discs, I may as well get a road bike, no? The closest thing I've seen to what I'm looking for is a Jamis Coda Elite, but was wondering if there was a maker out there I had overlooked?

This is the bike with the lowest end specs that has discs that I know of, though cannondales do not tend to be cheap:

Cross XR7 (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html)

Though I'd much rather buy a crosscheck, personally. Cantis have good stopping power, especially with kool stop brake pads.

Sometimes cheap is expensive because you wind up with a piece of crap. For $799 I purchased a new Surly Crosscheck that will last a long time. Cheap is one thing , best value is another thing. Don`t be cheap.

yea this is the kind of thing i meant. I realized a conversion could have been the cheapest option, but this is what i really meant

thanks!

If that is the case, don't forget the Soma Double Cross. About the same price for frame and fork (they have a winter special on the frame) and is made of Tange Prestige.

http://www.somafab.com/frames.html

what size frame are you looking for

I just built a Scattante frame (Performance house brand) Picked up frame/fork for about $220. Great bike. Very happy with it.

-Z

Without the discs, I may as well get a road bike, no?

As long as there's enough clearance for tires, yeah. I don't think I'll ever be able to put a typical cross tire on my road bike.

Old road frames that came w/ 27" wheels will fit bigger tires on 700c wheels no problem. I run 35mm tires on mine and there is still plenty of room. stock side pull brakes, too.

I don't think I'll ever be able to put a typical cross tire on my road bike.

Ask your LBS about a frame stretcher then bigger tires might fit.

I just built a Scattante frame (Performance house brand) Picked up frame/fork for about $220. Great bike. Very happy with it.

-Z

+1

I'm in the process of building an Ultegra/105 racer for my wife with a Scattante frame. I'm very impressed what you get in the package for the money. The frame is the same quality as an entry level Kona, or Redline for a lot less.

The bike should come in @ 20 pounds when done. I'll post pics.

Look at the NOS Schwinn SuperSport DBX

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24507&estore_ID=1366

http://www.thebicycleoutlet.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=75&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=37

Bought the Scattante as well. Right around $200 for the frame and fork. Came with touch up paint and a replacements hanger for the rd. The frame is a few grams heavy, but I've been having a blast on it. Have never ridden a cross bike before so I don't have much to compare it to.

Sometimes cheap is expensive because you wind up with a piece of crap. For $799 I purchased a new Surly Crosscheck that will last a long time. Cheap is one thing , best value is another thing. Don`t be cheap.

Where was this?

I'm still amazed that cyclocross bicycles are expensive compared to other bike when they're not fundamentally different.

I'm looking to get a 'cross to just tool around on trails and perhaps commute this coming spring/summer but I'm not really wanting to part w/$1k for a bicycle. Ideally, I'd like to spend about $600 on a steel bike. I shy away from the cheaper BD options because I don't want aluminum and I hate the idea of integrated headsets.

Cross bikes start at about the same price/component level as road bikes.

Cross bikes start at about the same price/component level as road bikes.

Just as an example, BD sells the Surly Cross Check for $899 w/Tiagra components. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/surly/crosscheck2.htm Seems a bit high for that level of spec IMO. I'd at least like to see a 105 rear derailleur or perhaps a Deore.

My search continues...

I've been lurking and doing a lot of searches through the forums for a while and I wanted to hop on this thread as well. I've been looking at a couple of lower cost new frames to build up, and can't really find to many reviews of them.

The Nashbar X - somebody here on the forum (can't remember off the top of my head) just recently built one up...how do you like it?

Fetish Position - There's a couple in the users forum on the Fetish site, but does anybody here have one?

NYC Crossspeed - I can find a couple of quick comments here and there, seems like they might be heavy, but other than that there isn't too much info around. I realize at the price point for these frames that they are going to be a little heavier.

any thoughts,

Quin

any of the CX bikes in this list at a guess

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368115

the 2008 kona jake is upgraded from last year's model. it's a pretty awesome bike for the money now. $850

I also just raced a season on a jamis nova pro ($1100) I loved it.

Look at the IRO Rob Roy.

Singlespeed cross bike for $600 (http://www.irofixedgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=12).

Good reputation (and lots of posts) in the Fixed forum. If you're willing to deal with a small vendor who may not pick up the phone every time you call, you can get a great bike. I had Tony hand-build a set of wheels for me that totally rocked.

My brother is looking for a reasonably equipped, bargain priced CX bike. I suggested either the phantom cross. He liked, but couldn't afford the Specialized Tricross comp.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro.htm

or the Ibex X-ray

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/X-RAY-RCE-Details.html

I just bought a new 2007 Schwinn Fastback CX at Performance for $750.
It has Tiagra shifters & Ft. derailleur, 105 rear derailleur, 9 speed SRAM cassette, TruVative 36/50 crank with external bearings. It weighed in at 21.9 lbs (with reflectors & fluff, no pedals) on the way out the doors at Performance. I'm no cyclocross racer, but so far I'm pretty pleased with it.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24505&subcategory_ID=3040