Cyclocross - Is it possible to turn a Giant Hybrid into a CX?

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rentilrebo
10-17-10, 10:19 PM
I just came into a Giant x500 and am thinking about saving up for a cyclocross bike. But the bike I have my eye on is $900 and if I could turn m $50 Giant into a usable bike for an amateur that would be awesome. Any thoughts?

mazdaspeed
10-17-10, 11:45 PM
I am also turning a hybrid into a CX bike, and from what I can gather, it will work but not be ideal. If you buy tires for it and like doing it, you can always upgrade later.
Hatman52
10-18-10, 07:28 AM
FWIW, I just raced my first CX race yesterday (Cat 4) on a 15-year-old Trek flat-bar hyrbid bike. Only mod was was a pair of Crank Bros. Candy pedals. I even used the stock, semi-knobby tires -- I'd removed them long ago and replaced them with slick road tires, so I unearthed them out of the garage attic and spooned them back on. I finished 36 out of 42, but I met my goals -- see what CX is all about, have some fun, and finish the race. I guarantee it wasn't my 25-lb. steel hybrid bike that was slowing me down!

There were several hybrid and mountain bikes in the lower classes. There were quite a few regular roadbikes as well, since the course was mostly grass and there was almost no mud.

My advice, from one newbie to another, is to spoon a set of cheap CX tires on your Giant and have a go at it.

Andy_K
10-18-10, 08:14 AM
Yeah, you can definitely race on a hybrid if you're just in it for fun. If you get good CX tires, you'll be able to re-use them when you get a regular CX bike. In the meantime, go have some fun.
sunstealth
11-22-10, 07:56 PM
it is fully possible, i did it this summer, made a exodus performance hybrid into a CX style bike,
drop bars,road brake levers, bar end shifters,bar tape,different stem (optional) a different saddle(optional) and a pair of time ATAC pedals

this is what i replaced on the bike and i've got to reuse the stock parts on another bike!

before (only picture i have after a 140 kilometres vélo-picnic ride)
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4246/vlo004.jpg

and a couple days after
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2403/exo010.jpg
UBUvelo
11-24-10, 06:09 PM
most certainly!

and though i am in it NOW more than just the fun :rolleyes:, i have a 1993 Giant Innova that is original only in the frame, cranks, rear wheel, chain and smallest chain ring! it's a 1x7 with the original thumbshifter. i did have to put an old front derailleur back on to keep from dropping the chain. but i was able to add really good parts from various sources, especially good ole NASHBAR (FSA Gossamer handlebars for $10...catch the sales and coupons...). sure, it's still a bit over 20 pounds, but i have it dialed in right where i need it. hopefully, (c)xmas time delivers me a new steed!:o

get it right where you want it, have fun....and see where it goes from there.:thumb:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1684150949761&set=a.1683862302545.94179.1417254256