Cyclocross - Newbie to Build XC bike from scratch

Ello all. First post to this forum and please feel free to treat me like the naive fool I am. I have been given an old 531 Steel road frame (quite long top tube so poss Audax/tourer?) handmade by Ken Ryall from the 70's I suspect. I want to create an all-purpose bike that I can take on road, fitness, fire-breaks, towpaths, etc and am completely bemused as to where to start. I think rubbing the frame down and getting a re-spray is the first thing but just wanted some guidance on what to get component-wise, advice for wheels, gearing, what to weld on, etc. Also, if anyone knows of anywhere ideally suited to help me in the London/South-East UK that would be grand. Thanks folks

How about some pictures of the frame. If it was built in the seventies it probably only has 120 - 126mm dropouts.

While having a nice vintage bike is a wonderful experience it is not always economical when building from the frame up. Are you wanting to keep this vintage? Updating an old bike is a lot of work but it surely can be done. As cs1 said the rear spacing will be too narrow for anything past a 7 speed freewheel. That is no biggie if all you want is friction bar ends or DT shifters. For off road use barcons are the way to go. I've gotten some good stuff from here: http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/ but that will be your vintage avenue.

my 531 raleigh was 126mm but i managed to squeeze a 9/10speed hub on with no problem.

Here is a thought..why not get 700x32 cx tires and a singlespeed/fixed wheelset. Then, it can be a cx singlespeed??

If it is only a frame that you have...find out what the seattube diameter and headtube diameter is. Cuz if it isn't conventional sizes, its going to be a pain to source parts that fit.

XC = cross-country (i.e. mountain bike)
CX = cyclocross

Rear spacing isn't an issue on steel bikes. I've been working on one recently that I took from 120 to 130 with nothing more than a 2x4, a ruler and a piece of string (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html). Depending on how old it is, the bigger question might be where you're going to hang your derailleur (unless you want to go singlespeed).

Anyway, pics or no one can help you.

All - thanks for the info. I've done lots of research at a few LBS' since the posting. The good news is that 700c wheels fit without hardly any forcing and the brakes on there already have plenty of drop in them to use. I've decided to build the bike up for the moment with parts that I can then potentially transfer to a CX/tourer frame later. I'm going to keep the original parts that I don't re-use at this time in the hope that i rebuild as per original some time in the future. I need a bike now to use for the summer and I can get it build with modern components over the next week or so, use it over the summer then re-spray and think again about the retro-build project later. Final note - any thoughts on tough 700c wheels for a big guy? Thinking of mavic touring wheelset? Thanks again all

You can't go wrong with Ultegra + Open Pro wheels.

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=677

Madison has a house brand called M:Wheels. You could do worse than buying a pair of those with say Shimano Deore hubs on Mavic A319 rims or Shimano Tiagra on Mavic Open Sport.

As for your bike, older audax type bikes have lots of tyre clearance. You could do everything you've suggested, with the possible exception of wet and muddy fire breaks, with an audax bike. You don't need a cx bike for it. As for resprays, Mario Vaz is in London and is very cheap.

Guys, you've been really kind with your advice, thanks. A real help! After much consideration, seeing what's in stock, being impatient and having a friend with a garage full of spares I'm building it as follows:


Frame: As we know, the Ken Ryall Handbuilt 531 Frame
Wheels: Mavis A319 Rims 36h 700c with Tiagra hubs
Tyres: not a clue at the moment but something that will do a bit of everything perhaps? Been advised the Continental Top Contact by one BS. Others are saying a Specialised Armadillo and the list goes on...
Chainset: Tiagra double
Block: Deore 9 11-32
Front and Rear Mechs: Tiagra
Shifters: Tiagra
Bars: Can't remember make but 46 wide shallow drops (i'm a big guy and wider is more comfortable for me)
Seat: had to have new seat tube (27.2) with a slight lean back. Can't decide on the seat itself yet. Really want a Brooks for the retor look/feel but not sure my rear will thank me for it...
Pedals: Hmmm, another uncertain item. Never used spd's and slightly fearful due to clinically unstable right ankle (the reason I'm currently too heavy!!!). Prob go for a basic cage without straps?

So, I got most of the bits at c.30% less than retail which also swayed my choice but I'm quite pleased with it to date. It's being stripped right down and built back up on Friday of this week and it's going on it's first outing on Sunday. The re-spray will be end of Summer. Let's see what happens. I'm hoping I will become hopelessly addicted and end up looking good in lycra!
Thanks again folks

Guys, you've been really kind with your advice, thanks. A real help! After much consideration, seeing what's in stock, being impatient and having a friend with a garage full of spares I'm building it as follows:


Frame: As we know, the Ken Ryall Handbuilt 531 Frame
Wheels: Mavis A319 Rims 36h 700c with Tiagra hubs
Tyres: not a clue at the moment but something that will do a bit of everything perhaps? Been advised the Continental Top Contact by one BS. Others are saying a Specialised Armadillo and the list goes on...
Chainset: Tiagra double
Block: Deore 9 11-32
Front and Rear Mechs: Tiagra
Shifters: Tiagra
Bars: Can't remember make but 46 wide shallow drops (i'm a big guy and wider is more comfortable for me)
Seat: had to have new seat tube (27.2) with a slight lean back. Can't decide on the seat itself yet. Really want a Brooks for the retor look/feel but not sure my rear will thank me for it...
Pedals: Hmmm, another uncertain item. Never used spd's and slightly fearful due to clinically unstable right ankle (the reason I'm currently too heavy!!!). Prob go for a basic cage without straps?

So, I got most of the bits at c.30% less than retail which also swayed my choice but I'm quite pleased with it to date. It's being stripped right down and built back up on Friday of this week and it's going on it's first outing on Sunday. The re-spray will be end of Summer. Let's see what happens. I'm hoping I will become hopelessly addicted and end up looking good in lycra!
Thanks again folks

That's a great cost effective and tough build for a big guy :thumb:.