After much reading, forum scouring, etc etc I've decided to buy a Crosscheck. I really want it for road at the moment but hope to do some cross next year. I've sort of decided on 700 wheels and Ultegra STIs so mostly I'm set - except for the BB and chainset........

I've seen that most of the racers tend towards 39/48 but if I go for a double (don't think I want a triple) road chainset I can only get down to a 52 on the big ring. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Is there a double alternative that will shift with the Ultegra STIs and get me the flexibility of a 48 or bigger ring?

Also for the Crosscheck I have assumed I need an XT BB to fit both the frame and the Ultegra chainset. Any idea if this is correct? Wil the chain line up etc etc

So I guess I 'm really asking the following question. What BB chainset, front derailleur and shifter would I need on a Crosscheck to get a double set up with 39/48 up to 39/52 (if at all possible?) considering I would like the STI shifters.... Phew.

Steve

The Ultegra STIs and Ultegra FD should work fine. The chainset choices are smaller if you want 38/48 out of the box. You have the TruVativ Elita Cross w/ 108mm ISIS BB, TruVativ Roleur Cross w/ ISIS BB, Ritchey Cross w/ 109.5mm Octalink BB, and FSA Gossamer Cross w/ either ISIS or Octalink BB.
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&Category=495
http://www.bikeusa.com/MERCHANT2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSGI&Product_Code=CR2288
http://www.store.yahoo.com/cyclocrossworld/cracksets.html

Many thanks for the reply. Well I had sort of made a decision for the TruVatiV but on talking to my brother who races MTBs he reckons the ISIS sucks real bad. The most he has got out of a BB is 250 miles and the least is one ride and he's wrecked 6 before going Octalink. He reckons the bearings are too small due to the large diameter crank. And he only does XC - no hard core stuff. SO I may go for the FSA if I can source one here in the UK.


Steve


The Ultegra STIs and Ultegra FD should work fine. The chainset choices are smaller if you want 38/48 out of the box. You have the TruVativ Elita Cross w/ 108mm ISIS BB, TruVativ Roleur Cross w/ ISIS BB, Ritchey Cross w/ 109.5mm Octalink BB, and FSA Gossamer Cross w/ either ISIS or Octalink BB.
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&Category=495
http://www.bikeusa.com/MERCHANT2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSGI&Product_Code=CR2288
http://www.store.yahoo.com/cyclocrossworld/cracksets.html