Cyclocross - It's Late but I need Advice

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post my question on but it seems like it's the best fit, if not let me know and I will re-post.

I have a mid-90's Giant Cadex CFR-3 road bike that I want to use as a commuter/trail bike. The main triangle is cf, the fork, seat and chain stays are alumunim. It has Shimanon 600 (ultegra) components, including hubs, STI shifters/brakes, double chainring (53/42), wobler rims, 700x23 tires, Sakae Modolo Anatomic handlebar/Nitto stem.

I rode this bike exclusively up until 2 years ago when I bought a Scott CR1 Pro. Ever since then I've used the Giant on my trainer. I cleaned it up today and it is in surprisingly great shape. My husband and I are going to ride on Katy trail next month and I'm wanting to use this bike. I also want to be able to use it as my commuter too.

I need advice on:

1) The biggest issue is probably tires. I think the biggest tire I will be able to fit is a 700x28. Any recommendations? Although I need something that will work for the crushed limestone katy trail I need it to be good enough for the road for commuting.

2) It's pretty heavy (I was surprised by the weight, guess I've gotten spoiled with my scott) and if there is anything I could do that wasn't too costly I'd like to. The weight won't be an issue on trails but it will be with commuting.

3) Is it possible to change the handlebar to a mustache or bull horn with the STI shifters/brakes?

4) I'll need a saddle and will get a new seat post, switch out the clipless pedals for something with toe clips. Any suggestions?

I think that's it... I would appreciate your advice and ideas. Over the last few weeks or so I have spent literally hours reading the forums (just ask my husband) and other sites related to biking and have learned a lot, but not nearly enough!

I hope I didn't leave anything out or repeat myself. It's late and this is my second attempt at this post. I had written my post, was going to erase something, hit the backspace button, but ended up going to the previous page losing everything. :(

I said it much better the first time but hopefully well enough here to make sense. Thanks for your help.

I think you might have more success reposting this in the Commuting or Touring forums. People there usually have great advice on these sorts of issues.

1) The biggest issue is probably tires. I think the biggest tire I will be able to fit is a 700x28. Any recommendations? Although I need something that will work for the crushed limestone katy trail I need it to be good enough for the road for commuting.



2) It's pretty heavy (I was surprised by the weight, guess I've gotten spoiled with my scott) and if there is anything I could do that wasn't too costly I'd like to. The weight won't be an issue on trails but it will be with commuting.

3) Is it possible to change the handlebar to a mustache or bull horn with the STI shifters/brakes?

4) I'll need a saddle and will get a new seat post, switch out the clipless pedals for something with toe clips. Any suggestions?

I think that's it... I would appreciate your advice and ideas. Over the last few weeks or so I have spent literally hours reading the forums (just ask my husband) and other sites related to biking and have learned a lot, but not nearly enough!

I hope I didn't leave anything out or repeat myself. It's late and this is my second attempt at this post. I had written my post, was going to erase something, hit the backspace button, but ended up going to the previous page losing everything. :(

I said it much better the first time but hopefully well enough here to make sense. Thanks for your help.


I think you might actually be able to get a 700*30c on there... I was able to with my caad5??

I'm also fairly certain you can use your STIs on both bullhorns and moustache bars. If it were me, I would just get some cheap tektro levers and a barcon on the moustache bar. If you do go the route of the STI/moustache, you will need to shorten the cables so that they don't touch your front wheel??
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-119779.html

Thanks for the information and link. I did post this on Commuting but not Touring, good idea, I will do that.

I hadn't thought about getting different levers for shifting but that makes more sense to me than using the STI. I'll read the posts from the link and go from there. Thanks.