Cyclocross - Cyclocross - very small frame options.

I am looking for a small cyclocross bike with a 48cm Seat tube (c-c) and a 47cm top tube (c-c) based on the fit calculator at http://www.competitivecyclist.com

What options are there. This is for a growing child who wants to compete in cyclocross. The measures are on the largest "french fit" range.

I'm always a little skeptical of online fit calculators. You can get a Surly Cross Check with a 42- or 46-cm seat tube, but the 42 has a 52.2 cm effective top tube (50.5 c-c, but that's kind of arbitrary depending on slope of the tube) and the 46 has a 52.9 cm effective top tube. I'd try those out and see how they fit.

Another option is to buy an early 90's Specialized Rock Hopper or Hard Rock and adapt it for CX use. I bought my daughter a Rock Hopper for this very purpose for $40. It was a 13.5" model. It came with cantilever brakes and a rigid fork. Put drop bars on that and skinnier tires and you've got yourself a cross bike. The only major disadvantage is that in these small sizes the top tube is sloped too much to properly shoulder the bike, but I think that 26" wheels make so much more sense for a small bike like this that it kind of balances out the shouldering issue, which can be worked around by grabbing the bike by the down tube.

Of course, after I wrote all that, I remembered seeing some really small Redlines at the local races last year, so I looked it up. This may be exactly what you want:

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/uploaded/dynamic/299/Conquest24-F-thumb_300.jpg?1254426196

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cyclocross/2010-conquest-24

It's got a 35.5 cm seat tube (though you can always change that with a longer seat post) and a 45 cm top tube.

Andy-

This is very helpful advice, thanks!


I'm always a little skeptical of online fit calculators. You can get a Surly Cross Check with a 42- or 46-cm seat tube, but the 42 has a 52.2 cm effective top tube (50.5 c-c, but that's kind of arbitrary depending on slope of the tube) and the 46 has a 52.9 cm effective top tube. I'd try those out and see how they fit.

Another option is to buy an early 90's Specialized Rock Hopper or Hard Rock and adapt it for CX use. I bought my daughter a Rock Hopper for this very purpose for $40. It was a 13.5" model. It came with cantilever brakes and a rigid fork. Put drop bars on that and skinnier tires and you've got yourself a cross bike. The only major disadvantage is that in these small sizes the top tube is sloped too much to properly shoulder the bike, but I think that 26" wheels make so much more sense for a small bike like this that it kind of balances out the shouldering issue, which can be worked around by grabbing the bike by the down tube.

Of course, after I wrote all that, I remembered seeing some really small Redlines at the local races last year, so I looked it up. This may be exactly what you want:

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/uploaded/dynamic/299/Conquest24-F-thumb_300.jpg?1254426196

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cyclocross/2010-conquest-24

It's got a 35.5 cm seat tube (though you can always change that with a longer seat post) and a 45 cm top tube.

I've seen some younger teens at some races on some pretty small bikes.
I'm sure there are a few out there.
Probably lots of work looking and I'll imagine you'll have to order it.
Good luck and great to see kids interested in riding.