Cyclocross - Junkyard CX Build......

Yeah...that's right.

I want to try CX racing. I don't want to buy a CX bike until I get a few races under my belt. I had a frame, and parts laying around. Here is what I did.

I test fitted some tires. I could fit a 700x32 on the front, but it was too tight. I ordered a set of Kenda Kwik's in 700x30 in hopes that they will clear (as they have a less aggressive tread)....I used old Centerpull brakes, and scavenged lots of other parts. It may look goofy, but will be better than riding my crappy mountain bike....thoughts?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HsbVy8dOy44/TI43ZvSLm8I/AAAAAAAABoQ/9dQmQjlyDbI/s1600/bike+side+1.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HsbVy8dOy44/TI43nCdHZyI/AAAAAAAABoY/3FeC1I-71Ao/s1600/bike+2.JPG
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HsbVy8dOy44/TI43q0Kc2aI/AAAAAAAABog/bPF2_O20FcQ/s1600/front+caliper.JPG
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HsbVy8dOy44/TI43w2PTHmI/AAAAAAAABoo/teQjzQMaqvg/s1600/rear+brake+hangar.JPG

What junkyard do I go to to find a carbon seatpost? ;)

You may want to rethink the stem and get some better brake pads. Otherwise, if the tires fit, get out there and race!

What junkyard do I go to to find a carbon seatpost? ;)

You may want to rethink the stem and get some better brake pads. Otherwise, if the tires fit, get out there and race!
Well, the story goes like this. A few years ago I rode the Trek (2005 1000)..then upgraded drivetrain/shifters. Then this spring, got a new frame, put all the parts on the new frame. So The trek was complete (almost) but disassembled. The stem was parts bin, brakes, and wheels I scored from a friend (along with handlebars).

What's wrong with the stem? I do need to find a seatpost though, as I just pulled this one off of my road bike so I could start setting it up.

Yes...I do need real brake pads asap.

:-)

What's wrong with the stem?

It's adjustable, right? My thinking is that a nice, hard hit could dislodge it.

It's adjustable, right? My thinking is that a nice, hard hit could dislodge it.
It is...and I will be on the hunt for a cheap/free basic stem...I guess I'll just torque the mofo down and see what happens for now!

Done! Tomorrow I pick up the Kenda Kwick's! Can't wait to get some meatier tires on it. I'm reallllly hoping that the 700x30s fit in the rear..I think they should.

And everyone local told me that there was no way I could get center pull calipers to fit. Now...I wish I could adjust the toe on these brake pads as only the front half of the pad is contacting the rim surface. I think I may have to file/sand these things down at an angle..which should be fine as they will then wear at that same angle I'd imagine. Maybe I'll cut/sand the old pads and use them as a template to cut the new pads...

Thoughts?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/fbrakes.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/2-5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/1-7.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/rbrakes.jpg

*please excuse the messy work area...The "man cave" near the furnace/water heater is the designated "bike wrenching zone" according to my wife :)

You can replace those brake pads with standard V-brake pads that will give you the freedom to adjust toe-in to your heart's content.

You can replace those brake pads with standard V-brake pads that will give you the freedom to adjust toe-in to your heart's content.
Good call! More braking surface area also...Not to mention the fact that pads newer than 25 years old would make a difference in braking performance !

nice, but for the love of JPow please change that stem.

You probably could do a season or two on that setup alone.

Dude - are you in the northern VA area? That basement looks almost exactly like the man cave in my basement. Same cinder block walls, same furnace and water heater location, same tile floor (from the 50's probably), and same little aluminum door near the floor.

It is...and I will be on the hunt for a cheap/free basic stem...I guess I'll just torque the mofo down and see what happens for now!


what size stem do you need or want? I have a 105mm 31.8 stem that I will give you for free. It is a bontrager 4 bolt. 10 degree I believe.

Dude - are you in the northern VA area? That basement looks almost exactly like the man cave in my basement. Same cinder block walls, same furnace and water heater location, same tile floor (from the 50's probably), and same little aluminum door near the floor.

that's because he's in your house.

what size stem do you need or want? I have a 105mm 31.8 stem that I will give you for free. It is a bontrager 4 bolt. 10 degree I believe.
That would be awesome! I will shoot you a PM later. Just mounted the tires. 700x30 Kenda Kwicks are the largest I could fit. Any larger and the rear tire will rub on the brake bridge. Looks great for a cheap-o build though. Ill shoot some photos later tonite.

Nope, not in VA, I am in Michigan, and I am sure the asbestos floor tiles in my man cave are from the 50s ( the house was built in 1946) .
Cant wait to do some CX training with some of the fellas from my team next week.

Kool Stop Continental is a good brake shoe to bolt on those brakes.. Salmon Compound, of course..

Here it is with tires. No, I haven't cut the cables. Taking it to my cousin (who is a mechanic at the local Trek dealership) today for him to tune it all up (I need more experience with adjusting derailleurs)..
But, the tires fit! Can't wait to thrash my new beater bike!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/1a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/fbrake2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/1b.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/msrugis/ftire.jpg

Very cool! Makes me want to convert a bike over... I've been thinking about some CX tubulars for my road bike on my next trip to Colorado. Each time I go I end up riding dirt roads on slicks. Ascend = good, descend = difficult.

Your biggest problem will be MUD.

Take a look at some Mchelin Mud 2's. They say their 35's , but they don't seem that big to me.

If you are careful, you can get toe-in by GENTLY twisting the brake are where it holds the pads. However, you could screw it all up. You may want to run that through the mechanics forum.

'Cross is supposed to be fun. You might crash some. that's ok. Enjoy yourself.

By the way, where in Michigan, I am in Pregon now, but I grew up in Ann Arbor. I've even learned to make an Oregon map with my hand. (if you are not from Michigan, or know someone from Michigan, the hand map will not make sense to you...even though it should...look at a map...of Michigan...the bottom part)