Cyclocross - Racing frame

Looking to build up a cross frame to race this season. I'm looking for something that handles really well, similar to road geometry, not interested in anything with rack mounts, fender eyelets, long chain stays, a really high bottom bracket or too heavy. What should I be checking out?

any ridley above crossbow

Fort Frames would be a good choice. A couple of friends have them, and they are pretty nice.

Fort Frames would be a good choice. A couple of friends have them, and they are pretty nice.

do Forts have high BBs? I do know enough about them and it is not specified on their site.

To the OP, why do you need a high BB? Are you in a lot of deep mud or a lot of off camber stuff? If not then that opens up a lot more US based brands as they tend to not have as high as a BB as a lot of Europe based manufacturers.

I have been riding the Van Dessel G&T and love the ride, the BB is high, no rack/fender eyelets .
the 2010 model has a cool new paint job. http://velonews.com/photo/97286

I have been riding the Van Dessel G&T and love the ride, the BB is high, no rack/fender eyelets .
the 2010 model has a cool new paint job. http://velonews.com/photo/97286

Van Dessels are known for having low bottom brackets, not that it is necessarily a bad thing. In fact I just ordered a hole shot.

Ital Tecno on ebay has a bunch of Guerciotti X-Crow frames. They are pretty serious racing frames. I seem to recall Helen Wyman riding them (successful UK rider).
http://cgi.ebay.com/GUERCIOTTI-X-CROW-L-BLUE-CROSS-FRAME-FORK-NEW-2008_W0QQitemZ380151341995QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item5882c923ab&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Ital Tecno on ebay has a bunch of Guerciotti X-Crow frames. They are pretty serious racing frames. I seem to recall Helen Wyman riding them (successful UK rider).
http://cgi.ebay.com/GUERCIOTTI-X-CROW-L-BLUE-CROSS-FRAME-FORK-NEW-2008_W0QQitemZ380151341995QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item5882c923ab&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Italian BB threading and not particularly light

29.4mm post?

That is a bid of an odd bike

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/dylancivic/photo-32.jpg

with matching easton ec90x

^It doesn't get much better or racier. I have one as well.

^^ cannondale makes nice cross bikes

Cannondale makes nice bikes in general.

do Forts have high BBs? I do know enough about them and it is not specified on their site.

To the OP, why do you need a high BB? Are you in a lot of deep mud or a lot of off camber stuff? If not then that opens up a lot more US based brands as they tend to not have as high as a BB as a lot of Europe based manufacturers.

I think that he DOESN'T want a high BB:

"I'm looking for something that handles really well, similar to road geometry, not interested in anything with rack mounts, fender eyelets, long chain stays, a really high bottom bracket or too heavy."

I think that he DOESN'T want a high BB:

"I'm looking for something that handles really well, similar to road geometry, not interested in anything with rack mounts, fender eyelets, long chain stays, a really high bottom bracket or too heavy."
you are right

strike Ridleys then

Thanks for the replies. A Cannondale has been on the back of my mind. Their road CAAD9 frames have an excellent reputation. Made in the USA is pretty hard to beat as well. Does anyone know where to buy a frame/fork only?

Any Cannondale dealer can order one for you. My team went through Mike's Bikes.

Complete of F/F
How much? If you mind me asking.

There are a lot out there to choose from. I'll put in a vote for Chili Con Crosso. < $1000 and you get an Alpha Q fork, not bad. Graphics on Chili's are a matter of taste, but a sick, light bike none the less.

My next bike, Primus Mootry (http://www.primusmootry.com/) custom, but you couldn't get one of these before the season starts.

Just inquired at Mikes bikes Caad9 Cx $850 frame/fork headset.
The thing that drives me nuts is that they put fender eyelets on it.
Who wants to spend 5k plus for a race bike with fender eyelets? Maybe it's just me.
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/10/cusa/model-0XRUC.html

Thanks for the replies. A Cannondale has been on the back of my mind. Their road CAAD9 frames have an excellent reputation. Made in the USA is pretty hard to beat as well.

I thought C'dale were ending US production?

They will build CAAD9's in the US until 2011 all others will be built overseas. The only fender mounts are on the fork and Easton builds that. Nothing wrong with a little versatility.

They will build CAAD9's in the US until 2011 all others will be built overseas. The only fender mounts are on the fork and Easton builds that. Nothing wrong with a little versatility.

Keeping their alu production in the U.S. and moving the carbon to Asia. CAAD9s will still be made in the U.S. for the time being.

One problem with a CAAD9 CX frame set, you are looking at 6 weeks from the time you order.

I'm saving for a Rock Lobster. Legit, Local. No nonsense.
I'd rather spend my money on a guy who builds a bike for the person standing right in front of them.
In the meantime I'll be riding my steel beater.
YMMV

Italian BB threading and not particularly light

29.4mm post?

That is a bid of an odd bike

1.3kg is really light for a cross bike frame! It's based around the Oria GX2 frame they used for Gilberto Simoni's road bike. This is a serious frame with some serious cross racing heritage....

I'm saving for a Rock Lobster. Legit, Local. No nonsense.
I'd rather spend my money on a guy who builds a bike for the person standing right in front of them.
In the meantime I'll be riding my steel beater.
YMMV

:thumb:

i went the local, custom route as well. I can proudly say my bike was built less than a half mile from my home. Ensures perfect fit and i got exactly what I wanted. I picked my geometry to suit my riding style and preferences, and had input in what tubing was used where. Couldn't be happier and smaller builders often are priced competitively with many off the shelf bikes.

If I was getting a stock frame I would my first choice would be to get a Santa Cruz Stigmata (Alu) or Ibis Hakkalugi (carbon).

A good friend just got a custom aluminum frame from Jason Grove at El Camino Fabrications. Good price and immaculate welds.
http://elcaminofab.com/

1.3kg is really light for a cross bike frame! It's based around the Oria GX2 frame they used for Gilberto Simoni's road bike. This is a serious frame with some serious cross racing heritage....

for 1500 you can certainly get lighter framesets minus dumb things like italian BBs and odd seat post sizes

Italian BB threading and not particularly light

29.4mm post?

That is a bid of an odd bike

1.3 KG is not light ????

Get a clue.

for 1500 you can certainly get lighter framesets minus dumb things like italian BBs and odd seat post sizes

Name one that is comparable.

Name one that is comparable.

off the top of my head

Ridley X-ride and X fire
Con Crosso
Kuota carbon
pedal force
lapierre
some of the Ti cross bikes for near the same are just as light

BTW you should probably read the entire quote before insulting someone. I said particularly light, not that it isnt light, but for the price, and even lower than the price, you can do better IMO.

check out rock lobster frames...note that their frames are true racing frames and do not come with bosses for waterbottle cages.

Go with a Rock Lobster! I ordered my Team Scandium a couple of weeks back. Pretty bad ass frames.

what about redline or lynskey

I've been thinking about one of these:

http://www.spookybikes.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SUPERTOUCH

From the website...

The 535 tt frame comes in right around 1250 grams
31.6 Post
34.9 Clampy-things
Spacing for road wheels (130)
Standard 1.125" headset
Top routed cables.
Hard Ano resists goofy scratches.

You could also consider the Santa Cruz Stigmata:

http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/stigmata/

I'm building up this beauty. Custom built in AZ, sent my specs and chose a color, 8 weeks later it arrived on my door step with my fork painted to match, for less than the price of an aluminum Cdale, Ridley, Salsa, Van Dessel, or Kona. Joe Wells and Tsunami bikes in Phoenix, experienced builders, great to work with, excellent design, very modest price. This is a racin' bike, about 1300-1350g in a 56cm and it's gonna be sweet!

http://www.tsunamibikes.com/

I'm building up this beauty. Custom built in AZ, sent my specs and chose a color, 8 weeks later it arrived on my door step with my fork painted to match, for less than the price of an aluminum Cdale, Ridley, Salsa, Van Dessel, or Kona. Joe Wells and Tsunami bikes in Phoenix, experienced builders, great to work with, excellent design, very modest price. This is a racin' bike, about 1300-1350g in a 56cm and it's gonna be sweet!



what did you pay for it, and what is it built out of?