Cyclocross - Fork bosses/braze-ons on a Cross frame? (if so, how called in French?)

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pstock
11-18-10, 08:41 AM
I am new to the idea of cyclo-cross and so am looking for a frame to start out.
but it strikes me that a cyclo cross bike/frame would make the ideal bashing around town general purpose bike for a road biker - durable but with road bike proportions. Also, could be ideal as a touring frame.

Question: do cyclo cross frames ever come with braze-ons (bosses?) on the forks or seat stays for racks.

If so, does anyone know what they would be called in French? (I have asked a friend in NE France to keep his eyes open for me, as there seems to be a huge cache of used CC bikes up there.)

Or, am I just mixing my media so to speak. Is there something about a true cross frame (like geometry) that would make it a bad choice for a general purpose and touring frame?

Thanks

Peter

Cynikal
11-18-10, 08:54 AM
There are many frames out there that are a "Jack of all trades" and there are race specific frames. Many of the all-arounders will have the braze-ons that you are looking for and make great commuters/town bikes or light tourers. Most racing frames do away with most frame hardware. Some don't have bottle mounts. As for the French term, I have no idea.
Shimagnolo
11-18-10, 08:58 AM
Soma Double Cross

crocodilefundy
11-18-10, 09:58 AM
Most of the frames will have the bottom holes for a rack or fender. Some will have the braze-ons up top for a rack. If not you can use P clamps to put a rack on. This works every well i've ridden plenty of miles with that setup. The one thing to consider is the chain stay length. Touring bikes have longer chain stays so you hit your heels on the panniers less. you can get by with a cross frame if you have small feet or a longer rack or if you can put your panniers all the way back on your rack or get panniers that have a cut out. I've done this with size 13 shoes and it works well for small to medium sized panniers.