Cyclocross - Road Frame For Cyclocross

If I were to take a road frame, and put on a 'cross specific fork, would that solve the issue of tire acceptance (e.g., more clearance for tires)? I understand the BB would be lower still and the geometry would be slightly different, but other than that I'd still be able to put on canti's and knobbies correct?

Just asking this because I don't like any of the cyclocross specific frames out there.

Well, you would be able to put cantis on the fork, but you still won't be able to use them for the rear brakes. If you have a steel frame, you could get bosses welded or brazed on.

Well, you would be able to put cantis on the fork, but you still won't be able to use them for the rear brakes. If you have a steel frame, you could get bosses welded or brazed on.

Mm, the frame I was looking at was carbon. Any solutions there?

not much you can do there, you would be better off using a CX frame for road, not vice versa. Its what I do and all I need to do is a wheel swap- viola, road bike.

Shameless plug...... but this might work.
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=393674

... Just asking this because I don't like any of the cyclocross specific frames out there.
why? sounds like you don't know much about 'cross bikes to think some carbon road frame would be an adequate substitute for a true cyclocross frame.

:bday::crash::fight::fight::crash::bday:

Carbon is generally not recommended for cyclocross. All the up to the pro levels, they're using steel, titanium or aluminum. There's just too much potential damage that a carbon frame can incur during a cross race.

Honestly, I don't understand what you mean when you say that you don't like any cyclocross specific frames. What is it that you don't like about them? It doesn't really make sense that you'd want to race cross, but you don't like cross bikes. Sorry if this comes off as harsh, but I'm asking a sincere question.

Carbon is generally not recommended for cyclocross. All the up to the pro levels, they're using steel, titanium or aluminum. There's just too much potential damage that a carbon frame can incur during a cross race.

Honestly, I don't understand what you mean when you say that you don't like any cyclocross specific frames. What is it that you don't like about them? It doesn't really make sense that you'd want to race cross, but you don't like cross bikes. Sorry if this comes off as harsh, but I'm asking a sincere question.

I just don't like any of the offerings from the companies. All the CX bikes I see are never quite spec'd the way I'd li,e, or the frames aren't right, etc.

I was looking in the $5k-ish range for a full build. Any suggestions?

How's the Scott Cyclocross Frame?

If you're got $5000 to blow on a CX bike, get a full custom with whatever component group you want.

If you're got $5000 to blow on a CX bike, get a full custom with whatever component group you want.

I was originally looking at Seven, but the frames alone are $4,000+. I'm really looking at a Chorus gruppo, since I've not been able to discern any differences between Record by riding it, and I'm not a gigantic weight weenie.

I haven't been able to find any cross frames though that suit me well.

EDIT- I think Norco makes a Titanium 'cross frame. How much is it? Is it even sold frame-only? But dang, it's an ugly paint scheme. Custom job on that one.

Are you a beginer? Have you raced cross before? If the answer to the second question is no, then I will tell you now that cross is allmost as hard on bikes as moutian biking. I would use a cf cross bike maybe and I do use cf forks. BUT I would never use a cf road bike as a cross bike. They are just not built the same way. And no manufacture is ever going to warranty a road frame that you trashed racing cross.

If you're racing get two of the same 2k cross bikes, and a spare tubular wheelset. So pro.

BTW your parents must love you a lot. 5k on a cross bike, dayuum!

If you're racing get two of the same 2k cross bikes, and a spare tubular wheelset. So pro.

BTW your parents must love you a lot. 5k on a cross bike, dayuum!

It's mostly my own money. (Sigh)


I would be racing. I tried one 'cross race last Fall on a friend's bike. Fun as hell, but I sucked terribly. It got me interested, but I've been occupied with academics and the like. My parents are pretty much winding down to retire, so I have a lot more freedom to do whatever I want now.

So crack is selling pretty good where you are huh?

Ridley, Redline, and Kona are all good places to look for frames. If you're looking to build your own you can buy framesets from all these. Ridley probably makes some of the nicest frames, and you can get the X-Fire (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=PRODUCT&PRODUCT.ID=4783) built with chorus for about 3.5k. Super light, and shiny carbon goodness. You can custom configure it and get a 14 pound bike for just about 5k on that site too.

if you're looking for a fast, fun to ride cross bike, I have two words for you: rock lobster http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/cyclo_scandium.php

I have a scandium road bike and an alum cross bike and they are really fun bikes to ride. the scandium with flared tubes are way cool. if you're going to race cross, you need to know what to look for...canti brakes (disk are not race legal), room for at least 35cm tires, top run cables, room to shoulder a bike (many race bikes are built without water bottle braze ons and sloping top tubes could be a problem), I like paul brakes just because they are way powerful. I like to have the bars a little higher on cross bikes, so don't cut the fork too short.

Will you compete in cyclocross races or are you just looking for a bling bike? Because if you're seriously gonna race a 5k crossbike - especially with a carbonfibre frame, carbonfibre wheels or whatever - you'd better have another 5k in reserve for repairs, spare parts, etc. Don't race what you can't replace.

I second "Frunkin": get yourself one or two bikes with whatever $500-$600 frameset appeals to you, Campagnolo Centaur or Shimano Ultegra/105, Spooky brakes, several wheelsets (36 spokes, Mavic Reflex rims), 12-25 and 13-26 cassettes, tubular tires for mud, dirt, sand, gravel (30, 32 and 34mm), Time pedals and go.

Look at the Colnago. Also IF has a frame and fork for around 2K.
I went with Santa Cruz, it is very light and in anodized it is unique too.
Frame is less than 1K.
Or you can get in line for a Speedvagen, around 3K for frame and fork.
If Seven is too expensive have you looked at the Moots?

^^ Speedvagens are looong gone. It's a hot bike no doubt.

http://rsdmag.com/danstuff/slider1.jpg
Vicious Cycles...for 5000 you could build a PIMP CX bike that would kill it on the streets too. I added SLK cranks and have an AlphaQ fork to this one and ride it everywhere.

Are you still growing?

kids just trolling.

I would have the master build me one for 5K.

http://www.steelmancycles.com/eurocross.html

if you're looking for a fast, fun to ride cross bike, I have two words for you: rock lobster http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/cyclo_scandium.php

I have a scandium road bike and an alum cross bike and they are really fun bikes to ride. the scandium with flared tubes are way cool. if you're going to race cross, you need to know what to look for...canti brakes (disk are not race legal), room for at least 35cm tires, top run cables, room to shoulder a bike (many race bikes are built without water bottle braze ons and sloping top tubes could be a problem), I like paul brakes just because they are way powerful. I like to have the bars a little higher on cross bikes, so don't cut the fork too short.

I'm looking at a custom CX and am still contemplating tubing. I've never ridden Scandium and have only limited experiences on Aluminum (I've mostly ridden Ti and an older Norco Team 853 MTB). What's the durability/life expectancy of a scandium frame vs steel or aluminum?

I'm looking for lightweight (but not crazy-light) since I'll be racing it, but at the same time, I do a lot of trail riding on rugged trails with rocks. The one builder I'm considering is recommending Zona steel, but will do the higher-end/lighter Spirit (no guarantee though). I'm also looking for tire clearance for Nokian W240 (700x40).

My ride is an 853/Columbus mix. The whole thing comes in at just over 19 pounds. My last bike was Scandium and came in at just over 17 pounds. I'll take the ride of high quality steel over Scandium any day of the week (IMO).