Cyclocross - Cross in Bavaria

So, I'm in the Army stationed in DEEP Bavaria looking for a cross bike. My road bike disappeared while refilling my H2O at a 7-11 in Phoenix before I got orders to Germany. I figured hey, I'd been waiting for an excuse to get into 'cross (and a new bike) so although I was full of dispair I took it as a sign from God. Orders came for Europe and I knew God was on my side...cross started in Europe...right?? Or not. My plan to buy a European cross bike has hit more roadblocks than a Bagdhad freeway.

I've been to no less than 27 bike stores from Nuerenberg to Amberg to Frankfurt, and every dealer tries to sell me a fitness bike. I did find a dealer that called Trek directly looking for the XO1, that he didn't believe existed, and Trek told him it wasn't available in Europe. I also found one really little shop that offered to build a bike for me with a price tag of $2100. Other than that, no one has even heard of a cross bike.

I'm hesitant to buy a used bike from Ebay without riding a cross bike first, and dumping all the cash into a new bike again without riding it seems ignorant.

Bottom line: Does anyone know a good source for 'cross bikes in Germany, Northern Italy, Austria or (in some strange exchange rate fantasy) the Czech Republic?

how far are you from belgium? maybe a weekend train ride and you would be in cross heaven. surely there are some shops with cross bikes up north.

I agree with the post about a visit to Belgium. You can also try Holland, Luxembourg and France. Do some interenet search first or get in touch with some bike clubs in Bayern and see if they can help you out. We all know how it is when you go to a dealer; they try to sell you a bike, that might not be what you're exactly looking for. But if you talk to a biker... well that's another story. Cycling clubs might provide you with some really good info. So first do a local search and then see if you can travel to Benelux, France or Italy.
When I lived in Germany 7 years ago I noticed that they were not so much into competitive cycling as other Europeans. However, my cycling experience was rather limited in Germany. In any event, there are several good frame manufacturers in that region. Try FRONT frames from the Checz Republic (they might be able to ship you a bike; they make decent road, cross and off-road frames and bikes at a reasonable price). Or if you want something nicer you can go with Pegoretti frames from Italy (these are a bit pricy but you can go custom if you can afford it).

Bottom line: Does anyone know a good source for 'cross bikes in Germany, Northern Italy, Austria or (in some strange exchange rate fantasy) the Czech Republic?

Okay, here we go..

let's start with the four german cyclocross experts

Ridley Frames
http://www.move-cycles.com/shop/index.html

Empella Frames and the new OCCP frames
http://www.occp.de/

Kocmo -titanium- (very nice)
www.kocmo.de

Rolf Wolfshohl
(3x Cyclocross WorldChampion)
http://www.rowona.de/index.php


For shops, who sells ALAN Frames please ask the german distributor:
Bicisport Colosimo
eMail: contact@bicisport.de
Telefon / Fax: 030 / 34787010

Kinesis frames
http://www.cyberspeiche.de/fotos/cusrarcc.htm

and at least two shops
in the north of bavaria:
http://sherpa-bikes.de/

in the south of bavaria:
http://ciclicorsa.shop.t-online.de/catalog.asp?cid=31833


For further question, come to the german cyclocross board,
english speaking members are welcome.
http://www.mtb-news.de/forum/f105

if you are at january still staying in germany, you should visit the cyclocross world championchip

http://www.sanktwendel.de/index.php3?S=7fc617b1abec140a1f6193fbd66b85b1-314297&U=1&T=210&tT=&tB=&tBn=&F=8&B=&C=&Page=

regards

Try FRONT frames from the Checz Republic (they might be able to ship you a bike; they make decent road, cross and off-road frames and bikes at a reasonable price)

FRONT ? - are you sure

Or FORT ?
http://www.fortframes.cz/english/index.html (model 7005 cx)

'Rolf Wolfshohl
(3x Cyclocross WorldChampion)
http://www.rowona.de/index.php'

I have been to this shop, some fantastic equipment. If only I realised how good this guy was when I visited, I might have asked him some questions.

My German buddy said 'he used to be ok on a bike' just before we went in :o