Cyclocross - Help me spend my money

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Steve in SLO
01-30-08, 01:36 PM
Hi all, Relatively new here, but I have been riding/racing 2 wheeled contraptions for years. Here's the deal:
At age 48, I have rediscovered the joy of skinny tires on dirt. Since I am getting along in years, I have to admit my days if CX racing are behind me, so I am now riding ATB lite, lots of it in the wet, most of it on hills. I am 185#, FWIW.
I currently own a 2001 Poprad which is pretty much stock. I am looking for upgrades in the areas of a 1" fork (stock shimmies under hard braking), and wheelset (stockers are pretty heavy). In addition, I am currently running Avid shorty 4s, but Tektro mini Vs are on order. I would prefer to keep the disc option open in case the Tektros don't cut it.
So, your suggestions?
Or should I just ditch the bike for something non-rustable, with discs already on it?

Thanks in advance.
Steve

Steve in SLO
01-30-08, 01:42 PM
Oh, and my wife says money is a consideration...
flargle
01-30-08, 01:48 PM
Nashbar sells a 1" carbon cross fork with both canti bosses and disc tabs for $140.

For wheels, plenty of options out there, I'd look for specials at the usual outlets, maybe look at what Neuvation has. (The owner lives in SLO.)

Are you certain the fork is responsible for the shimmy?

Steve in SLO
01-30-08, 02:12 PM
Flargle,
Thanks for the ideas.
I was leaning towards the Nashbar fork since it is relatively inexpensive and has a disc option.
I think the fork is responsible for the shimmy...before the last ride, I *slightly* overtightened the headset to see if the fork had been loose, my rims had just been scotchbrited and I was running brakepads only 2 rides old. Still shimmied under hard braking.
RE: Wheels, I hadn't thought about Neuvation, since I had mainly seen road wheelsets with a low spoke count, but that's a good idea, since I can just call him up.
flargle
01-30-08, 02:41 PM
RE: Wheels, I hadn't thought about Neuvation, since I had mainly seen road wheelsets with a low spoke count, but that's a good idea, since I can just call him up.I think his entry-level is 20/24 spoked with Deep V rims.

Another possibility is getting Mavic Open Pro laced to Ultegra hubs (32H). I see them being sold as sets for quite reasonable prices.
isotopesope
01-30-08, 02:51 PM
i wouldn't be surprised if your fork shimmy disappears when you install the mini-v's.