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?
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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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.
stric
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).
roamer
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
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)