Cyclocross - Dawes Lightning Cross

from BD (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/ltcross.htm) came yesterday. notes:

1. I've raised the seat since this pic was taken
2. It came with a cane creek headset and formula hubs, as opposed to generic ones
3. The 2200 FD it came with, well, sucks.
4. How do people deal with toe overlap when, say, turning right after stopping at a red light?
5. Are you allowed to cross chain with a double crankset?

In all, though, this bike is great. I intend it to use it for commuting and/or winter road riding (since it fits fenders that will block salt, and has knobbies).

Congrats! How does it ride?

Strangely, I couldn't notice any increase in ride harshness between this and my rigid mtb with 1.9" wide tires.

That said, since I don't have a tire pressure gauge, I have a suspicion I underinflated the tires - at 85psi with 700x32 tires, should the tires flex at all when I lean on them? (keep in mind I weigh 110)

Edit: Another stupid question - a flat piece shaped like that (below) came in the box, and I can't for the life of me figure out what it does. One of the holes is threaded, the other is not.

Sounds like a spare derailler hanger. Sort of like this? http://www.actionbent.com/Images/derailer/DeraillerHangersLabelled4.jpg

It's used to hold the derailler onto the frame, and it's just a replacement in case you bend or break the one already on your bike.

Why does the FD suck? A lot of times people come into the Co-op I work at thinking they need a new FD when they really just need to do 10 minutes of tweaking with an allen wrench and some pliers.

Toe overlap is no big deal for most road situations, except maybe in really tight, slow traffic situations. You get used to it pretty quickly and learn not to do it. Toe overlap is a b**** in twisty singletrack, though...

Also, you probably shouldn't cross chain, though it's not quite as bad doing it on a double as doing it with a triple.

Why does the FD suck? A lot of times people come into the Co-op I work at thinking they need a new FD when they really just need to do 10 minutes of tweaking with an allen wrench and some pliers.


When I got mine a couple weeks back i also thought the FD was crap, but after messing with it for about 15 mins and tweaking it just right it works like a charm and i havent had a problem with it since

I love my Lightning so far

I'm looking to get this same bike for daily 12-15 mile rides and weekend 20-30 mile rides. How is it holding up for you and what is the weight? thnx in advance!

I got mine (59cm) in June and have put about 500 miles on it. I don't have the exact weight and have since added fenders, rear rack, stem riser. Overall happy with purchase. A couple other notes:

1. The basic saddle by Velo. (replaced mine with nicer WTB)
2. Confirmed brand name hubs.
3. Bottom bracket also brand name. I know this because after riding in a few rains my bike started creaking. I removed the bottom bracket and greased which fixed the problem.
4. Cross top brake levers are a nice feature.
5. Came with a loose steerer in head tube required me to take the front apart, but not a major problem.

NIce looking ride!

i've been toying with the idea as a dual purpose light road and firetrail bike.
seems like a good deal.