Cyclocross - Poprad on its way - drop bars or flat?

Hey all,

This is one of my first posts. I've been captivated by the idea of SS cross and thought I'd jump in.

I just got this off eBay after eyeing the Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno for quite a while. Price paid was $525 shipped. Reynolds 853 with the option of going geared...I think I'll be very happy with it. It looks like a magic gear combo right now, I'd probably get another geared rear wheel and maybe a tensioner for different gear combos on the SS wheel. To my eye the ratio looks a little steep...36:14 or so? I'm a student doing research this summer in Anchorage, AK and I'll be using this to get around town/campus as well as weekend singletrack, fire road, and touring explorations.

So...if I keep the SS set-up, do you think I keep the flat bars/V-brakes or should I get some drops and cantis? I suppose it's just a matter of personal preference.

Odd thing about this bike is that I think it went for $200 on CL somewhere in Colorado in the last couple of weeks. I'm still happy.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4084/popradn.jpg

Also, anyone have any recommendations on really smooth (slick), high volume tires? I'm not talking hybrid sorta-slick tires. I mean big, voluminous balloons.

When you get it can you post the actual gears used? I have a similar frame and if magic gear is an option I'll try it with a SS tubular wheel set that I have. If you want more options, try these guys http://forwardcomponents.blogspot.com/ .

Nice looking bike. I like the flatbar look. Love that year, too -- Reynolds tubing, straight bladed fork. I was looking pretty hard for one of those before I gave up and got a Surly LHT for my flatbar commuter. Nice find.

I like that look a lot! As far as tires, these are awesome for the street!
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tires_tubes_pumps_patches?a=1&page=all#product=10-092

http://www.rivbike.com/images/products/full/0000/1495/JBpair.jpg

i was using a conti-tour tire at 700x38 on the front. its very light and rolls well, but its mostly worn down. i have a heavier tire on the back- some maxis. slick center, but plenty thick and durable.

about to switch to some knobby 37's for more gravel riding this summer.

good buy on the frame, i can't find one like that in my area. im about to just get one custom made, but its going to cost a lot more.

The Poprad arrived today, and I'm happy. Here it is, again:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1910/poprad.jpg

It rides great, and coming from the land of 23-25c (25c for gravel riding), the 31c tires feel like a dream. I've replaced the saddle with a cheap foam one (which was entirely plastic, anyone know what good a solid plastic saddle is?), and my next step will be to go from flat to drop bars.

So, I'd like your opinion. I'd like to keep this as cheap as possible. Do I leave the Deore V-brakes and get dropbar levers for V-brakes, or do I get some cheap canti's and get regular dropbar levers? I haven't ridden my mountain bike in a long time, I forgot how stoppy the V-brakes are.

Cynikal, the magic gear ratio is 38:18, just where I wanted it to be. This frame was advertised as a 62 cm but I haven't measured it myself.

Thanks for the info, I'll see if that works for my 05 Poprad. I'm currently running 38x17 with an Eno hub. I would like to use tubulars next season and I have a SS tubular wheel set so I would need a magic gear or that eccentric BB that I posted above.