How low on campy's groups do you have to go to get alumium these days? I'd really like to try a cross bike with campy (well, any bike) but I don't want to snap an expensive lever.

I do use a carbon fork and sometimes seatpost so I'm sort of a hypocrite, but oh well.

If I'd have to guess, there's more of a chance to break a carbon brake lever than a carbon post or fork. The carbon levers on my old road bike had seen quite the abuse before they 'went'

I dont even remember when I got those Chorus levers...they must be from around 2002 or 2003 maybe. You can get a set of regular aluminum levers only labeled as whatever line of Camagnolo goes that low to aluminum, and just replace them with the carbon ones on the body of a record/chorus brake lever. When I worked at a shop I was considering going carbon on the ones you see above that used to be on another of my road bikes...then they went to the cross bike so I left them as they are. THey do need a polish though... :D

The I9 stuff is incredibly hot, that's for sure. I kept coming back to them when I was looking at options for my bikes at the end of the Summer. I wonder how durable/etc they are and how easy they are to service though. I like how easy my DT 240s hubs are to pull apart/service, and they were highly recommended to me from various teammates/mechanics.

The only big reason I've heard to choose I9 over DT is that the I9s have faster pawl engagement.

What do you think about my new chain guard? It's loud.

http://velospace.org/files/poprad2.jpg

the color seems to be similar enough to the frame color.
disc brakes and downtube shifters = sweet!

kelly...
http://static.flickr.com/44/118254658_db42939834_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/47/118254659_97644c8a0d_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/39/118254660_08419395b8_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/52/118254661_cbaec73887_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/51/118254662_0871910325_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/54/118256692_0abb7e75f9_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/46/118256693_88d9ef2fa6_o.jpg

my iro idolizes this bike. it dreams about this bike



if you are ever selling lemme know:D

Mines not as cool as most:rolleyes:, but it works great for my commute!

What do you think about my new chain guard? It's loud.

Do you race?

my iro idolizes this bike. it dreams about this bike



if you are ever selling lemme know:D

That was a blast from the past - I don't know if he even reads BF anymore.

Do you race?

:roflmao:

I just bought this Gunnar Crosshairs off of craigslist for $565. I think it's about 6 or 7 years old, but in great shape. I really love it so far.

Here are the notable components:

Shimano XT RD w/wide 9 speed cassette
Shimano 105 FD & cranks (double chainring)
Shimano 600 brake levers
Thompson Elite setback seatpost
Campy Montreal 76 wheels w/Ultegra hubs.
Shimano Deore LX V-brakes
Shimano bar-end shifters
Panaracer Stradius Pro Road 700x23c tires

It also came with a Forte triathlon saddle, but I took that off and put on a Brooks that I had on my last road bike. It didn't need too much work--I replaced some of the cables and housing, trued the wheels, and did some general tightening and greasing. I'm still trying to dial in the fit. As you can see, it has a ridiculously long steerer tube and the woman I bought it from had the stem all the way at the top. I knocked it down a few spacers, and I might get the steerer tube cut down once I decide exactly where I want the stem.

Possible upgrades:
New bar tape--the stuff on there is kind of ratty. The new bar tape will be black.
Tires--definitely need to buy some knobbies. Anyone know how big I can go with the tires on this frame?
Handlebars--the bars it came with are pretty cheap. I'd like something with shallower drops because I think it will be easier with the bar end shifters.
Brakes--the brakes aren't great but work fine. The only problem is that the travel agent on the rear V brake obstructs the path to the rack mounts, so I'll need to change something if I want to put a rack on the bike. Luckily, I don't really need one on it now.
Also toying with the idea of taking off all the stickers.

Thoughts??

What do you think about my new chain guard? It's loud.

http://velospace.org/files/poprad2.jpg

If it's too loud, try brown instead. After all, nothing neutralises a cyclocross bike's loudness like a nice slathering of good ol' mud.

Here's my new Gunnar Crosshairs.
Just got it Monday, and took it out in the dirt this morning.

Let me know if the pictures are too big....

http://www.snowdesign.com/fun/crosshairs_top_left.jpg

http://www.snowdesign.com/fun/crosshairs_cable_hanger.jpg

http://www.snowdesign.com/fun/crosshairs_fork_crown.jpg

It's too bad the photography on the Gunnar site is so terrible. It's a beautiful bike that really shows it's beauty in the small details.

Classy!

Beautiful bike (the Gunnar)

It's too bad the photography on the Gunnar site is so terrible. It's a beautiful bike that really shows it's beauty in the small details.

gunnar's site is out of the 1990s.. maybe that's how they keep costs so low.

how much did your final build weigh?

gunnar's site is out of the 1990s.. maybe that's how they keep costs so low.

how much did your final build weigh?

I haven't weighed it yet. :o It's not going to be light, because the wheels are pretty monstrous - XT hubs, 36-spoke, Mavic MTB rims. (I'm a clyde, and I've taco'd MTB wheels before, so it's built for durability not speed.)

29er stuff?

29er stuff?

Yeah, the wheels are, and it has an XT rear derailleur.

Here's my new Gunnar Crosshairs.
Just got it Monday, and took it out in the dirt this morning.


Are those the Hutchinson Bulldog tires? How do you like them??

They're Vittoria Cross XG Pro clinchers. They rock.

They skitter along on pavement with a bit of buzz but the steel frame soaks it.
On dirt, they're really sure-footed and grippy. I went through stuff that I used to ride a hard-tailed MTB through and felt more confident than I expected. Handled fire roads really well, and felt really 'on' when I rolled through grass.

Yeah, the wheels are, and it has an XT rear derailleur.

Sweet:beer:

After a couple weeks of concoction and then a week to wring it out, the "CROSS Concep" is complete (I don’t know where the “t” went on the right side).

size: 61cm
drive train: a mix of things I pulled together
transmission: bar ends - the only way to go
wheels: stolen off my Jack KANE road
brakes: they stop the bike
seat/post: where my butt goes
result: pure, unadulterated FUN!

- submergedbiker

I know it's not really set up as a cross bike right now, more as a light tourer/commuter. To really hit the trails I'd have to take off the fenders and put on the other set of tires. I just cleaned it and I didn't want to go to all that trouble just to take some pix.



64645646466464764648

My favorite bike...

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=64755&d=1202662751

After a couple weeks of concoction and then a week to wring it out, the "CROSS Concep" is complete (I don’t know where the “t” went on the right side).



I noticed my "RONMAN" watch the other day during a ride. ;)

GO RON!

No bling, set up for winter/spring/commuting duty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/glenngertz/aaaa031.jpg

I like those pedals, what are they?

I like those pedals, what are they?

Take-offs from a Redline. $13.99 at my LBS.:)

Normally I use Egg-Beaters but in the winter when its below 25f I use platforms and Pak-Boots to keep my feet toasty.

nerdier question: what fenders are those? I have a set of sks raceblades that I've used on occasion on my fixie (no fender bosses), but the coverage on them sucks.

No bling, set up for winter/spring/commuting duty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/glenngertz/aaaa031.jpg

A bike that's set up properly to get **** done is very "bling" in its own way. I went on a trip to France/Belgium last year and at one point came across two guys touring around Europe on a pair of Cross-Checks set up very similarly to your's. My gf commutes on one every day (she loves it, has it set up like a singlespeed townie) and of course people race them all the time.

During the week - commute in style and comfort.
Weekends - throw on some clipless pedals, lose the fenders and race 'cross.
Summer Vacation - put the fenders back on, add a rack and panniers, tour a country or two.

That sort of versatility is very impressive.

nerdier question: what fenders are those? I have a set of sks raceblades that I've used on occasion on my fixie (no fender bosses), but the coverage on them sucks.

they appear to be planet bike speed ez fenders, which i ran last year and are great fenders.

especially nice for ss bikes with track ends, the break away mounts make it easy to remove the rear wheel.

No bling, set up for winter/spring/commuting duty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/glenngertz/aaaa031.jpg

I really like that. The light gray Crosscheck is an awesome color.

they appear to be planet bike speed ez fenders, which i ran last year and are great fenders.

especially nice for ss bikes with track ends, the break away mounts make it easy to remove the rear wheel.

Correct they are Planet Bike speed ez fenders. I like them , they don`t rattle and so far they have stayed aligned.

Thanks for the compliments guys. I really like the Surly CX. Its a great all around do-all bicycle that fits my needs well and is comfy and fun to ride. I think of it as a "Swiss-Army" bicycle.

A bike that's set up properly to get **** done is very "bling" in its own way. I went on a trip to France/Belgium last year and at one point came across two guys touring around Europe on a pair of Cross-Checks set up very similarly to your's. My gf commutes on one every day (she loves it, has it set up like a singlespeed townie) and of course people race them all the time.

During the week - commute in style and comfort.
Weekends - throw on some clipless pedals, lose the fenders and race 'cross.
Summer Vacation - put the fenders back on, add a rack and panniers, tour a country or two.

That sort of versatility is very impressive.

Nice post, you really summed up the Surly CX .

Ug, I hit a curb with the new Gunnar going really fast and bent the crap out of the fork.

Replacement ordered. :(

Well, I've finished my bike and took it for a nice virgin ride in the mud. So far I do like the feel of it, except for the fork shudder - this said, I got the easton fork for free, so I should not complain. Cane Creek brakes are giving me some problems and so far I have noticed that they even in the smallest amount of mud they start acting wierd.

here's my new whip. it's a 05 ridley crosswind.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2289725368_98278b872c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2289724524_43a128fcaf.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2289726296_3becd8c0d4.jpg?v=0

what size crosswind is that?? what does it come in at weight wise approx??

Ready for the road race season.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/poprad_zipp_0208.jpg

What in the heck kinda disc rotors are those? They look scary.. :) Also, have you found the BB7s loud at all in the rain/wet/damp?

what size crosswind is that?? what does it come in at weight wise approx??

it's a 60 c-c. i haven't had a chance to weigh it, but i'd wager around 20 pounds. that fork and those wheels aren't the lightest things in the world.

What in the heck kinda disc rotors are those? They look scary.. :) Also, have you found the BB7s loud at all in the rain/wet/damp?

They are finger saws for sure. Alligator Serrated, Ti Nitride coated - hence the gold color. At 91g, it's about 40 grams lighter than stock, per.

EDIT -

Here's some more info.

Stats on wheels:
Zipp 285T rims (aka 303s) 28-hole
Sapim Laser spokes
Brass nips all around
Chris King (silver) ISO disc hubs
Not WW at 1560 grams, with glue & excluding skewers.
Rotors are Alligator Serrated (Ti-Nitride coating) with Ti bolts. 40 grams lighter each vs stock.

Stats on tires:
Tubular Schwalbe Stelvio 22mm (fr) and 25mm (rr.)
235 gram/286 grams respectively.
The roundest tires I have ever seen. Highest ultimate grip I have ever experienced.
Unfortunately I puncture flatted (http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=122653) the rear on the first ride. (Mile 39 of 41 mile ride.)
I would not recommend this tire for anything other than road racing.

Thoughts on the wheels:
Surprisingly stiff- the entire bike feels different now. The hubs are very smooth and I love angry bees in the CK rear hub. While it is considerably stiffer than my clincher wheelset, it does soak up high frequency bumps better - much like a carbon frame. Aero difference is negligible but I did feel more confident on corner on descents because of the relative stiffness. When climbing, the 1 pound reduction in weight was noticeable and significant.

Stats on bike:
2007 Lemond Poprad Disc frame
Bontrager Satellite Switchblade carbon fork.
Thomson X4 stem
PRO PLT shallow bar
King headset
Miche Supertype post
Regal Titanium saddle
XTR Ti cassette
XTR Shadow Carbon RD
Dura Ace DT shifter (just the rear)
Stronglight Pulsion cranks with FSA 44T ring
N-Gear chain stop
Avid Full Metal Jacket brake housing
Tektro RA200 Levers
Crank Bros Candy Titanium
17.9 pounds as shown.

42-11?? thats realistic gearing for racing road...
Are those rims safe for running with disc brakes. how are the spoke eyelets holding up?

Just finished building this a couple months ago, I've put about 150 miles on it thus far. Looking to get into cross racing, not sure if I can hack it but Im going to try. Wide open to any advice you can offer. Have plenty of experience mountain biking and riding for long periods of time but Im interested to see how this works out. Pretty much set up for commuting right now but have taken it on a few trail rides. Im concerned about what kind of pedals work best with quick dismounts, right now I just have some on there for riding around town

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/kaeser/polo013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/kaeser/polo009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/kaeser/polo011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/kaeser/polo010.jpg

i like the frame/post/saddle selection very much.

What are those rims? 32 or 36 hole CXP33's?

The front is a 48 hole Phil Wood hub meant for a tandem mtb. radial laced to a machined Deep V. I took the hub off one of my pedicabs and had the berings replaced and built to that rim. Heavy duty wheel, (emphasis on HEAVY) but Im 6'0" 215 lbs so I was going for strength, not worried about weight I'll carry that bike all day if I have to.

oh and the rear hub is your standard Ultegra 2300 laced three cross to a Deep V

One more thing.... I like Deep V's but they were not my first choice, very few wheel companies (outside of the BMX industry) make rims drilled for 48 spokes so I was kinda stuck with velocity if I wanted to use that hub. Looking for a new crankset and rings that are easier on climbs right now I have a 52, 36 road set up in the front. Which is just too much gear for the hills Im riding. Ideally I'd like to try a 50, 32 and see how that feels on off road climbs

Nice, I love the bike.
Thinking of lacing up some white machined Deep V's to some 105 hubs I have lying around.

Have you considered leaving the front alone and putting on an MTB cassette? I was able to put an 11-32 on my Major Jake with a short cage ultegra rear der with no problems. It basically gave me the same gearing as a 30t ring with a 12-26 cassette.