HandsomeRyan
01-17-08, 07:22 AM
Although I own a couple of decently nice bikes (08 raleigh detour deluxe and an 07 Felt Q720 hardtail mtb) I have never ridden competitively. In fact, i usually ride alone because I don't like to wait on riders slower than me, and I don't like the idea of faster riders being slowed down by waiting on me. I have decided I need some goals for riding in 08 and one of them is to try to ride with others. When I see pictures of the local CX events i think "Wow, a new and different way to hurt myself on a bicycle". I want to train this spring/summer and try to enter a race by this fall.
Being a total n00b, i'm not sure what I need to get started? I am looking at a Schwin Criss-Cross on Craigslist but there is a chance it will be too small for me. Even if i get it, right now it is set up for road riding so I'd need to convert it by removing the kickstand, change the tires, and remove the reflectors.
I know I can't run disc brakes or bar ends, but is there anything else I need to know about how i should or shouldn't set the bike up?
Can I find CX tires for less than $25-70 a piece?
Other than just riding a lot to build stamina and strength, is there any 'training' I can do to prepare for a CX race?
If i can pick up the Schwinn mentioned above for about $50 and put another $50 or so into getting it ready to race, would it offer a considerable advantage, or would I do better just changing to skinnier tires on my Q720 hardtail mountain bike and riding it?
Anything else you'd tell someone who wanted to try their hand a CX for the first time?
Thanks in advance.
Being a total n00b, i'm not sure what I need to get started? I am looking at a Schwin Criss-Cross on Craigslist but there is a chance it will be too small for me. Even if i get it, right now it is set up for road riding so I'd need to convert it by removing the kickstand, change the tires, and remove the reflectors.
I know I can't run disc brakes or bar ends, but is there anything else I need to know about how i should or shouldn't set the bike up?
Can I find CX tires for less than $25-70 a piece?
Other than just riding a lot to build stamina and strength, is there any 'training' I can do to prepare for a CX race?
If i can pick up the Schwinn mentioned above for about $50 and put another $50 or so into getting it ready to race, would it offer a considerable advantage, or would I do better just changing to skinnier tires on my Q720 hardtail mountain bike and riding it?
Anything else you'd tell someone who wanted to try their hand a CX for the first time?
Thanks in advance.
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