Cyclocross - Marin Team Issue

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drotos.toth
10-14-10, 12:14 PM
I have an older Marin Team Issue. Maybe I'd like to participate in some cyclocross events... if I couldn't build cyclocross bike.

What should I change to improve it's performance in cyclocross races?

I've changed the fork to Cannondale Pepperoni rigid fork. I have 2.25 and 2.1 Rocket Rons... but maybe i should get a pair of narrower tyres.

173763

More pics:

http://picasaweb.google.hu/drotos.toth/MarinTeamIssue#

tashi
10-14-10, 05:20 PM
Tires are always a good place to start.

I mounted some Schwalbe CX Pro's in 1.35, the only 26" tire in proper cyclocross tread and width that I know of. I assume they'll be faster than mtn. bike tires but I haven't had an opportunity to ride 'em yet.


http://www.schwalbetires.com/cx_pro
Cynikal
10-14-10, 08:03 PM
If you can find a rigid fork it will help.

tashi
10-14-10, 08:35 PM
Also: You might want to make sure you keep everything you take off of that bike. It's almost a classic, and appears to be in quite nice shape. It might be nice to be able to restore it one day if you get the urge.
Andy_K
10-14-10, 10:44 PM
I don't know if narrow tires are necessary. It depends on the course. Some courses you'd be better off with the wide tires.
drotos.toth
10-15-10, 12:14 AM
If you can find a rigid fork it will help.

I've already changed the fork to a Cannondale Pepperoni...
drotos.toth
10-15-10, 12:15 AM
Tires are always a good place to start.

I mounted some Schwalbe CX Pro's in 1.35, the only 26" tire in proper cyclocross tread and width that I know of. I assume they'll be faster than mtn. bike tires but I haven't had an opportunity to ride 'em yet.


http://www.schwalbetires.com/cx_pro

Is there any lighter tires? Maybe kevlar bended?
drotos.toth
10-15-10, 12:20 AM
This bike is not so heavy and with narrow tires it is fast enough. Maybe I have handicap only on longer distance straights... Or?
tashi
10-15-10, 10:15 AM
Is there any lighter tires? Maybe kevlar bended?


I haven't been able to find any that are lighter and still have the right width and tread. There are 1.75" mountain bike tires out there that may be lighter, but I'd prioritize the width and tread over the marginal difference in weight. Many of the narrower MTB tires have semi-slick tread patterns which I would think would be quite slippery on grass, and full-knob ones are just too much tire for CX.


I'd worry about weight later, with a rigid fork and skinny tires that bike is good to get started.