Cyclocross - How to build a CX bike up for under $700

Just looking for ideas on how to accomplish this. As far as frames go I love the Soma double cross frame, but at 350 it would be half my budget. I've looked at ebay...seems like there is a pretty limited selection and a lot of cheap aluminum frames (I'd like steel). As far as components, where would you look for those? Thanks for any ideas.

seems most the options for frames on the cheap are all alum. Nashbar has a cyclocross frame pretty inexpensive of their own and a redline one as well, both are alum however. I buy alot of stuff from nashbar though and have always done pretty well price wise, they frequently have a good discount coupon code floating about. For a steel bike the Double cross is pretty hard to beat ,I debated getting one, more for a commuter. Surly crosscheck is an option I guess about the same price wise. Voodoo wazoo is nice looking rig that's steel might find an 08 on closeout soon perhaps.

most likely you're gonna have to go single speed for that price.

If your objective is to get out on the road/trail and dont' mind used stuff that might be slightly outdated.. check out craigs. I found in SF(or maybe it was boston) someone was selling an Sora group for less than $200. With criags, all that stuff is negotiable. Pair that with your $350 frame and get a $200 set of wheels and some bar/stem and you might get in around $700. Then.. you can start selling the crap you dont need.. like the calipers and using the cash to buy some calipers. I wanted to try CX this season and built a 1x9 with some tiagra STIs, my old set of CXP23 rims, 12-25 freewheel, random 105 derailleur i found in the parts bin... I came in under $550. Funny thing, this has become my goto bike and my road bike is sitting in the storage untouched.

The Pake frame is sold by those nice people who supply Soma, the Pake costs $200 for a new steel frame.

http://www.pakebikes.com/pakemute.html

http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/ps-2291-122-pake-cmuter-frame.aspx

or

http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Pake_Frame_Mute

add this fork: http://www.bikeman.com/KON-P2CRS.html?utm_source=MTBR&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=MTBR

Then buy a doner bike for $450 and take the parts from it!

Here isa new $550 doner bike, just sell the frame on ebay for $200 and you are under budget: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2009-ALUMINUM-ROAD-BIKE-CYCLO-CROSS-SHIMANO-INDEXED_W0QQitemZ130266638913QQihZ003QQcategoryZ98084QQcmdZViewItem

Michael

How to build a CX bike up for under $700

Actually, it isn't that hard. Try these: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/cross_bikes.htm
This is as close as you'll come new: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx.htm

Well I just scored a Scott CX off of CL fo 250.00 ....... it can be done.

wow, the pake looks exactly like a '93ish fuji mtb frame i converted to cx/commuting purposes

I wish more frame makers would list the weight of their frames/forks. Anyone know the weight of the Pake? Looks interesting to me... but I might end up racing it and have to balance weight with price (if there ever is a time when weight really does matter, surely its in cross since you are always slowing and then accelerating and also have to pick the damn bike up and run with it).

I bought a used Redline frame with crank BB and headset for about $200, used wheelset was $120, Mirage 9s levers to Shimano 105 Ders for 8s. all the rest of the parts together came in well under your target.

It will take a lot of used parts and time to shop the bargains.

Wow, the Pake looks exactly like a 93'ish Fuji mtb frame I converted to cx/commuting purposes Almost wish I hadn't seen it. Now I'm thinking how to build a quality budget single :).

THANK you for posting the link to the Pake. That's exactly what I was looking for.

I had a Pake fixed gear, it was heavy but uber durable. I assume all these other things they are making now are pretty heavy as well. I'd totally forgotten about that new frame they were offering that'd be they way i'd go providing it's cheaper than a cross check( gotta figure it would be). Planning to get the urban city Pake for my mom on mothersday next year.

Which new frame is this?

pake c'mute, been out awhile actually

Gotcha. Does it look to be lighter than what you had? Compared to the double cross or cross check?

The Pake C'muter should weight about the same as a cross check.

Bianchi San Jose

my pake track I'd say weighed a bit more( pound maybe) than my friends steamroller of the same size think alot of the difference was in the fork.

for saving money and especially starting out I would look into downtube or bar end shifters. Alot less expensive and alot les prone to break when falling over than STI's

My plan is to get a frame (leaning very heavily towards the Pake), then build it up as a 1x9 with a downtube shifter.

Downtube shifting is pretty rough for cross. I'm sure it could be done, but it'll take some skills.

I think the downtube shifter will look cleaner than a single bar end one. Maybe I'll think about a thumb shifter type deal mounted to the top of the handlebars..

get a trigger shifter and mount it on the tops.