Cyclocross - What would you do with $2000.00

If you had $2000.00 to spend on a new cross bike, you could use Ebay, lbs, or build up your own bike, would you spend more on a frame and wheels, maybe the drivetrain? Post here so share.

Pick the prebuilt bike of your choice with 105 and get a spare wheelset for it.

Buy a tubular wheelset and tires, then spend the rest on a bike

Actually, you might go over budget with that.

Are we assuming you have no previous equipment? No last year's bike?

If so, buy a bike that will last at least two years. a bike with 105 or Sram Rival, i recommend the latter. Spend the rest of the money on some new gear, you'll definitely need it when it gets colder. If you have money left over pick up some more tires or wheelsets or both.

Now next year, use the bike you bought this year as your B bike and buy a new bike to become your A bike. Just simply rotate through every year.

I'd spend £205 on ebay to buy the lightly used Campag 7005 bike I already, then spend the rest of the money on a lightly used steel frame - or titanium if I got really lucky - and having SJ tandem couplers fitted, so that the bike could go in a suitcase. I don't think you can retro fit the couplers to an alu frame, and I doubt there'd be enough left from the $2000 for a custom.

I would build up a bike.

I would start with a Gin & Trombones frameset: http://www.vandesselsports.com/gandt.html .

I would then buy a Bike Direct Windsor Cyclo: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/cyclo.htm .

I would use the Windsor as a donor bike and transfer most of the parts to the Gin & Trombones. I would then sell the Windsor frameset and be well under $2000.

I should have enough left for a second set of wheels.

In the end, I would have a 18 to 19 lbs race-worthy CX bike.

Michael

I'd get the Fantom Cross Pro from Bikes Direct .com. At $999 for the complete bike seems like a steal. You can barely buy the Ultegra components for this price.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro_IX.htm

Either use it as is, or get a Surly Cross Check frame and swap everything over. If you get this package and then sell the Motobecane frame for let's say $200, you would only be at about$1,250, plenty of money left for an extra set of wheel.


I bought a Cross Check and have been doing some research on it.

This is from Harris Cyclery...
Surly offers framesets and parts of extraordinarily high functional quality for their price point, though the paint and graphics tend to be ugly. These frames are pure function, offering more bang for the buck than anything comparable.

Cross Check at Jenson's, for example.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FR290E00-Surly+Cross+Check+Frameset+08-09.aspx?sc=FRGL

If you had $2000.00 to spend

Lap dances :P

How about a Kona Major One plus tubular wheels and tires?

I was going to say I'd get a Major Jake, but then nitropowered's tubular suggestion showed the flaw in my plan and blew the budget. Hence the Major One. You don't really need gears anyway.

Invest in Yuans.

Wait for China to stop undervaluing their production.

Profit.

Invest in Yuans.

Wait for China to stop undervaluing their production.

Profit.

actually that might not be a bad idea. A little risky though

I would pay $500 to some gang banger to steal me a sweet ride then spend the other $1,500 on hookers and blow.




(actually, Id buy one from my lbs)

Do it right ... the first time ... Vari-Butted Titanium 3/2.5 :thumb: (with over $200.00 left for new kit/gear)
Carbon Fiber Fork, FSA Crank, Disc Brake Tabs + Rear Rack mounts, Ritchey Bar, Stem, PRO Wheels

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_ti.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/ftc_ti_600x.jpg

Wow, that's a nice bike!

I'd get a Fuji Cross Comp, a pair of tubular race wheels (Ultegra hubs, Velocity rims), and the nicest tires I could afford with the remaining money.

My answer is here: http://www.cxhairs.com/2009/07/31/the-2000-cx-upgrade-every-picture-tells-a-story/

:)