Thinking of starting Cyclocross

[Mithra]

Hey, I'm thinking of starting cyclocross as I'm looking for something to do for a workout :) However I was wondering, whats the cheapest you can get a bare bones but decent cyclocross bike for? (excluding ebay of course :) )

[dirtyphotons]

lotta variables there. you could get a cheap mountain bike at a garage sale/pawn shop/whatever and ride or race that. you could slap some 1.5" knobbies on an old road/touring frame (cantilevers desirable but not necessary, but at the very least you need clearance for the tires) and ride or race that. how much work are you comfortable doing?

for a new bike you're probably lookin at at least 500 bucks, but it's possible to rig something up for much less if you're patient and don't mind getting greasy.

[Mithra]

cool :) So it is doable on a normal bike but a bit edited? :) good to know :P. I'm fairly comfortable getting my hands dirty, and I've got a good local bike shop if anything goes wrong, lol

[markhr]

While I'd like you to rush out and buy a CX bike, if you have a mountainbike already just use that (without bar ends) until you've figured out whether you enjoy CX and want to continue.

[slopvehicle]

I think someone already started cyclocross, in fact it was some time ago.

[Mithra]

no! I shall be the first person to start it :p.

The problem is that atm I don't have any bike, my mountain bike is gonna cost around £90 to fix, and isn't very good in the first place so basically I'm gonna be getting a new one, just not sure which, or even what type ;)

[markhr]

You can get most of these in the UK for less than GBP1000. Try Condor Cycles and Wiggle first. Do NOT go near evans.

700c, drop bar, disc brake bikes that could be used for racing, training, commuting, touring, cyclocross, etc.

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html[/QUOTE]

[jfmckenna]

Wow markhr got some research there!

I'd of course recommend you scour ebay daily. I know some folks who got some sweet deals there especially this time of year when cross is out of season and some folks just want to get rid of their stuff.

[markhr]

Wow markhr got some research there!...

Not my list and the OP seems dead set on a new bike (never a bad thing :D) so...

[ahayter]

post pics of what you come up with!

[Mithra]

Woah, thats a nice list there, thanks :D
And yeah I am fairly determined to get a new bike, as my old 'un was a £150 full susser from '02 that was a present, and so I was told I wasn't allowed to get rid of it until it broke, :rolleyes:.
I've been scouring ebay a fair amount atm, but a cyclocross bike type category would help so much :)