Cyclocross - Winter Cross Project Phase 1

After getting a taste of cross last year, I can't wait for it to start again. While the motor needs plenty of work, I've been tinkering a little with the bike. Swapped the stock fork for a lighter/stiffer straight leg Ritchey and found some used Race X Lite tubulars to try before getting some built.

Next phase will be likely be a RED BB30 crank, and that should drop the weight to just over 19 lbs, and if I like the tubulars, I want to get a custom set built.

Sorry about the picture, at least it's dry, but cold and grey.

http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikes/DSC_7210.jpg

That's a nice project.

YEah, way nicer than mine. Mine's going to be: How cheaply can I make a 'cross bike that is fully functional? Have an old Takara road frame to start with, and an old Ritchey threadless fork that'll fit... and we're off to the budget Olympics!

If I were trying to see how cheaply I could build a cross bike, I'd be scanning craigslist for an early to mid 90's mountain bike, before they started having suspension forks and V-brakes. I picked this up for my daughter for $40 last fall:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/4126694280_3c1cdbcece.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26382505@N08/4126694280/)

It came with cantilever brakes and I think the frame is pretty decent. I couldn't talk her into drop bars and the controls it had were shot, so I had to switch to V-brakes to use the stuff I had on hand, but I think I could have built this into a good 'cross bike on a very tight budget. A lot of these older mountain bikes even have flatter top tubes, but this was a 13.5" version. Like look at this one that I found on Google:

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/1092/medium/IMG_1858rs.jpg

Add skinnier tires and drop bars if you want 'em and that's a cyclocross bike.

....and if I like the tubulars, I want to get a custom set built.
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikes/DSC_7210.jpg

What are you thinking about building up?

What are you thinking about building up?

Either some King or White Ind hubs, tubular rim, strong lacing...

What size frame is that?

Looks like a 58. I'm surprised you swapped out the EC90x. I love that fork. Also, the swap to BB30 will make a difference, you may want to look at the Cannondale crank. It is lighter and stiffer than the Red crank.

I love my CX9.

but the cannondale crank is ridiculously $

Agreed but ridiculously awesome = ridiculously $.

I actually don't have the Alu SI crank but I have the carbon BB30 crank. I found that used for a reasonable amount. My teamates that have the Alu swear by them.

Looks like a 58. I'm surprised you swapped out the EC90x. I love that fork. Also, the swap to BB30 will make a difference, you may want to look at the Cannondale crank. It is lighter and stiffer than the Red crank.

I love my CX9.

It came with stock Cannondale Ultra X fork, I was going with the Easton, but found the Ritchey for next to nothing, I'll look into the Easton if I don't like the Ritchey.

The Cannondale cranks look great, but do seem pricey. I've also thought about a SL-K, but the Red seems to be in the sweetspot for value, might even get go with a new Force.

It's a 56, the Cannondale CX frames are huge!

I see. I got mine as a frame/fork set and built it up. And yes, their sizing is interesting, I run a 54 (normally ride a 56 square road bike).

Just as a side note. For BB30, one can use the cannondale cranks off MTB and road. The difference in the set ups are the spider & the spindle. It might be more economical to get 2nd hand MTB set; I've seen those ~$300.

UPDATE: Ritchey fork sucks! I'll got back to stock and look for an Easton. I've never seen a fork shutter so much, it's unsafe when braking at speed.

Does that fork have a hole in the crown? You could add a cable stop there and reduce/eliminate your shutter. A $10 stop is much cheaper than a $450 fork.

...or failing the fork-crown cable stop, a V brake with travel agent. You have options before ditching the fork.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/12/cyclocross/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-return-to-cross_101807
http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/12/cyclocross/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-–-more-about-chatter_101914

Does that fork have a hole in the crown? You could add a cable stop there and reduce/eliminate your shutter. A $10 stop is much cheaper than a $450 fork.

I have this fork also and it doesn't have a hole in the crown, I went the vbrake route.

THANKS GUYS! I'll do some more experimenting before dumping the fork. I think I'll try shorter pads first, and I have a old Salsa brake booster I'll toss on and see if that helps as well. Otherwise I might try some v-brakes. Thanks again, I really appreciate the input.

If you go with a brake booster you could use that to mount a cable stop to. Just say'n.

Speaking of which, does anyone know of a source for fork mounted cable hangers? I couldn't find one when I was building up my SS volpe, so I pulled the one off my geared K2 and put a headset spacer hanger on it. I can get it to not shudder, but it's way more finicky than it was with the fork mount.

EDIT: just found some on amazon, but anywhere else? Do any suppliers carry them? I just think it's a way superior design personally.

EDIT: just found some on amazon, but anywhere else? Do any suppliers carry them? I just think it's a way superior design personally.Harris carries them:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cable-hardware-brake.html

Maybe in the QBP catalog?

Ooh, check this out:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47409

Oh, nice. Dig the barrel adjuster, and the vertical range is kinda neat too.. It says out of stock, but I'm going to head over to the local spesh dealer just in case.

I don't think Q carries them. I could have checked this summer when I was working in a shop but I didn't have the need. And my favorite shop which mostly uses them said they didn't know where to get them.

Quick update, got the crank swapped this week, dropped the weight well below 20lbs with pedals. Switched to the newer shorter Avid pads and with a little toe-in that seemed to take care of the shutter, so the fork is staying until I can get a killer deal on an Easton. I really like the look of the new Avid brakes, but not sure braking would improve that much. Not much cash for custom wheels, so that may have to weight until next year. Is it cross season yet?

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/1092/medium/IMG_1858rs.jpg

Add skinnier tires and drop bars if you want 'em and that's a cyclocross bike.

I'm a huge Specialized Vintage MTB fan. I can tell you first hand though, they are heavy. I can't see myself humping them over an obstacle.

Harris carries them:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cable-hardware-brake.html

Maybe in the QBP catalog?

Ooh, check this out:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47409

Kona have their own model too: the product code is BP1272F.