Cyclocross - Conversion to a CX

First time forum-er, first POST!

Just a little warning ahead of time: I AM a new cyclist who does not know but the basics about biking, so forgive me for any unreasonable or obvious questions.

I've been researching for about 3-4 weeks now, and I decided that, for financial reasons, converting a road bike to a CX bike is my best bet to save money and still enjoy road and dirt paths.

I've read some articles about converting, and I am aware that the bottom bracket clearance won't be as high as a MTB, suspension won't be as great, etc. But my main concern was the frame. There are many road bikes that have CroMoly or aluminum frames. Now I know carbon fiber is the best, but how would the CroMoly or aluminum frames fare on tough dirt paths? And which would be best (as in lightest and most durable)? I do not want to settle for a road bike since I feel like if I took it off-road, the tires would suffer tremendously.

I can't wait to get a bike and start riding. I will be using this mainly for exercise and conditioning, but I eventually want to get competitive. And I will definitely be referring back to this forum for all my questions.

Thanks for your advices..

First time forum-er, first POST!

Just a little warning ahead of time: I AM a new cyclist who does not know but the basics about biking, so forgive me for any unreasonable or obvious questions.

I've been researching for about 3-4 weeks now, and I decided that, for financial reasons, converting a road bike to a CX bike is my best bet to save money and still enjoy road and dirt paths.

I've read some articles about converting, and I am aware that the bottom bracket clearance won't be as high as a MTB, suspension won't be as great, etc. But my main concern was the frame. There are many road bikes that have CroMoly or aluminum frames. Now I know carbon fiber is the best, but how would the CroMoly or aluminum frames fare on tough dirt paths? And which would be best (as in lightest and most durable)? I do not want to settle for a road bike since I feel like if I took it off-road, the tires would suffer tremendously.

I can't wait to get a bike and start riding. I will be using this mainly for exercise and conditioning, but I eventually want to get competitive. And I will definitely be referring back to this forum for all my questions.

Thanks for your advices..

Congratulations on getting involved in the sport of cycling. If the road bike you're looking at converting already has cantilever mounts then what you're proposing isn't really a big deal. If your current bike has side pull brakes the cost is going to be too high. Most road only bikes can't fit much bigger than a 700 X 25/28C tire.

IMO buy one of the budget cyclocross bikes from Bikes Direct. Good luck

Most road bikes can't be converted to worthwhile crossers - as already explained it's a matter of tyre clearance - you should really have about 38mm, at least. Other than (doh!) buying a used crosser your best bet could be to buy a used MTB and put drops on it. I posted some links and discussion of how to do this recently. It could cost you as little about $100 over the cost of the MTB if you buy one with an OS stem and separate shifter pods and use the "Minoura space bar hack".

I am a little confused. It sounds like you are buying anyway. The prices of used cx bikes tend to be roughly equal to the prices of used road bikes around here (even used).

So why not just buy a cx bike if you are buying anyway?

Unless you are talking about buying an old road bike with significantly more clearance than most modern road bikes??????

In that case, it should work just fine with the limitations you have already noted. I have essentially done so with my 1982 Peugeot P8 (see attached)...it has road tires in the pic but does just fine off road. If this is the route you are going, I would highly recommend getting new brakes as most old road bikes have really really crapppy brakes.

NOTE: if you are going to convert an old road bike and then race it, expect to be carrying a tank! My P8 is probably pushing 28-30 lbs.

Thanks for the responses! I appreciate ANY and ALL input- it will truly help me get started with cycling.

I will browse BikesDirect for a cyclocross bike. That would probably cost the same as converting a road bike to one anyway. I'll update once I get a bike.

Thanks again.

What's your budget? Are you planning to use this for cyclocross racing eventually or just a little offroad fun?

My primary use for the bike will definitely be recreational/exercise- mainly on road, but I have a couple friends that go off-roading and I'd probably join them from time to time.

My budget is anywhere as low as $300 to $500-600. I know all the good CX's are around $1000, but again, I am not a competitive racer, at least not yet.

My primary use for the bike will definitely be recreational/exercise- mainly on road, but I have a couple friends that go off-roading and I'd probably join them from time to time.

My budget is anywhere as low as $300 to $500-600. I know all the good CX's are around $1000, but again, I am not a competitive racer, at least not yet.

Somewhere to start: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_cx2.htm

The caveats with Bikes Direct are: (1) you have to judge size from a geometry chart -- their recommendations based on height are only an approximation and may not work for you -- doing a test ride at an LBS is always preferable, (2) you will have to do some assembly yourself, possibly including truing the wheels, (3) you will get essentially no customer service after the sale, (4) shipping timeliness is hit and miss. If you're OK with all of that, the BD bikes are a good value. If you'll have to go to an LBS for assembly and early maintenance, they lose a lot of their value.

I would suggest that for your purposes and budget you might be better off with something like a Specialized Crosstrail Sport or Trek 4300. A hardtail mountain bike with rigid fork or one that can be locked out (ask your LBS) would be a good choice. As we head into fall, you may be able to find some good deals on the 2009 models, and if anybody still has a 2008 around you can get it really cheap.

Also, stop by Performance Bike. They don't quite offer LBS-quality service in my experience, but they have a great return policy, they offer lifetime free adjustments, you can test ride the bikes and they often have great deals. In particular, see if they have a Mongoose Croix Comp (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1072897_-1_48500_20000_48501) in stock or would be willing to order one for you to try out. It's kind of ugly, IMO, but it's the closest you'll come to Bikes Direct value per components in a bike you can pick up in person.

Hey Andy, thanks for the tips. Now, I've heard many different suggested frame sizes for me. I am 6'1" and I was told anything between 56-60cm would be good. What do you suggest (for a CX bike)?

56-60cm is a kind of big range. I'm 5'9" so I don't really have a good feel for what you'd need. A lot of the problem in determining sizing is that given two people who are the same height one may have longer legs and a shorter torso while the other has shorter legs and a longer torso.

I went to my LBS for a pro fit (about $100 + parts) and came out thinking maybe I should have gotten a 54cm CX bike instead of the 52 I have, but with a really steep stem angle they made it work. (The fit guy didn't say I should have gotten the bigger size, but I had bought the bike there so I'm not sure he would have wanted to say it was too small.)

Anyway, I feel like bike fit is kind of a dark science -- a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. :)

I've seen a lot of people here on BF recommend the fit calculator at Competitive Cyclist (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO). Even as precise as this tries to be, you end up having to choose between three types of fit. This is why being able to try a bike in person is so helpful.

What is a good weight range for a CX? I definitely want this to be as light as possible...

You're probably going to want a bike in the 60cm range at 6'1". Don't worry about bike weight, it doesn't really matter. Most bikes in a given price range weigh about the same.

For sizing, especially being new to the sport, I suggest that you visit a bike shop for a few test rides. Get a brochure on the CX or road bike that feels most comfortable - the brochure should have the geometry of the bike you liked. I'm 6'1" and ride 60cm roadies but for a crosser, many manufacturers will have longer top tubes in a given size - so I ride a 57 or 58 cross bike with the same stem length.