Cyclocross - Hots for my 3rd bike - THink it will be a cross!

Isn't she pretty? http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=62219&scid=1101&scname=Road
I'm an older fart, so I wouldn't use it competitively, just as a more 'relaxed' and versatile road bike. Is that off base? I currently have a hybrid and a MTB and I haven't ridden a road bike for 25 years. Hopefully the body won't complain too loudly getting into the drops!

Unfortunately, none of the LBSs have anything like this in stock. I'm 6'2" with a 35" bike measured inseam. Am I right in thinking the 58cm would be the right size? My Mendota is a 22.5" and my MTB a 21" and they feel close enough. I'd hate to order the 58 and then find I really needed the 61 or vice versa. From what I've read, a cross bike ought to be a tad smaller than a road bike. Again that would kinda point to the 58. Any thoughts appreciated!

Your shop should be able to fit you and guide you in ordering the right size if the don't have something close enough to try out on the floor.

I'm 95% your size and would get the 61cm size. The 587mm top tube is short for a 61cm size. My 60cm Soma Double Cross has a 603mm horizontal top-tube and fits me well. My other bikes have 590 mm horizontal top-tube. I'm 6'0" with a 34 inch bike measured inseam.

I'm 95% your size and would get the 61cm size. The 587mm top tube is short for a 61cm size. My 60cm Soma Double Cross has a 603mm horizontal top-tube and fits me well. my other bikes have 590 mm horizontal top-tube. I'm 6'0" with a 34 inch bike measured inseam.
Thanks, Barrett! That's what I'm hoping to get is some real world experience with similarly sized folks. I'm likely a month away from buying it, so once I get all my data I'll see what the LBS thinks about it.

Dude, if it fits, get it. I have the Sora-equipped Crux (which has the same frame), and I loved it while racing this past season. Didn't have any complaints for 'cross racing or trail and gravel riding. Perhaps as a road bike, I'd prefer a lower bottom bracket, but besides that, it's great bike, a lot of fun.

That's the thing, Oil, there's none of them in either size at my LBS so I don't know if it fits or not :(

hrmm, that sucks. Maybe you could find other Specialized bikes there with similar geometry, I'm sure your LBS could help you. Or maybe look around for other Specialized dealers to see what they have. Even if it's just the canti version, it's the same frame, so you would be sure.

So, if a 61 Specialized road bike fits OK, should a 61 Cross bike be fine or should I size down 1 size? I keep reading stuff like this (see sizing and fit) http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/16/specialized-crux-comp-disc-brake-cross-bike-unboxed-weighed-first-rides/ or from Livestrong "In most cases, your preferred cyclocross bike size will be slightly smaller than what you ride on a road bike. This lends itself to improved control and efficiency when riding cyclocross."

So, if a 61 Specialized road bike fits OK, should a 61 Cross bike be fine or should I size down 1 size? I keep reading stuff like this (see sizing and fit) http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/16/specialized-crux-comp-disc-brake-cross-bike-unboxed-weighed-first-rides/ or from Livestrong "In most cases, your preferred cyclocross bike size will be slightly smaller than what you ride on a road bike. This lends itself to improved control and efficiency when riding cyclocross."






I ignore seat-tube length and check the horizontal top-tube lenght and head-tube length.

I ignore seat-tube length and check the horizontal top-tube length and head-tube length.
From that perspective, I'd want the 61. I have some other bike shops in the greater Nashville area. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow and see if perhaps they have anything in stock.

I don't want to start any flames here, but I do have an alternative suggestion. I recently shopped for an all purpose road bike that had mounts for a rack so I could use it for errands and touring. I also decided that a cross bike seemed most versatile. However, very few had rack mounts. After some searching, I came up with 2 interesting candidates. First, bikesdirect.com has a titanium cross frame that it sells with either SRAM or Shimano components. Second, pedalforce.com has a carbon cross frame that you can build up with your choice of components.

I decided on the titanium bike with the Shimano components as I am a sucker for titanium. I've had the bike for about a week and I am really happy with it. I will write a full review soon, but for now I can say that I am entirely satisfied with the purchase experience. The bike was easy to assemble and rides very nicely. Other bikes I own or have previously owned include a Trek 5.2, Ritchey Breakaway Ti/Carbon, and a carbon bike built around the pedalforce ZX3 frame. The ti cross bike is comparable in quality to all of these.

One thing to note. The wheels that came with my bike (and I suspect cross wheels in general) are quite heavy compared to the road wheels I am used to. Even with light weight road tire, the wheels still feel a bit ponderous. I swapped them out for a set of Easton EA90SL wheels I had lying around and the bike really came alive.

Good luck with your purchase.

Ira

LBS is ordering a 61 for me and if it doesn't fit, he'll just keep it on the floor and sell it. Can't wait!

LBS is ordering a 61 for me and if it doesn't fit, he'll just keep it on the floor and sell it. Can't wait!

Great! How soon will it arrive and keep us informed.

Probably Friday or Saturday. Do you pronounce "CruX" 'Crew Ex' or crux? It looks like it should be crew ex with the capital X, but the LBS said crux. I wanna be proper :)

LBS is ordering a 61 for me and if it doesn't fit, he'll just keep it on the floor and sell it. Can't wait!

I seem to be in about the same position as you were. I'm 6'3" inseam 34" and looking for a cx bike to add to the stable. I'm looking at getting a 58cm bike. All my road bikes have been in the 60s. Current one is a 61cm, one before that was a bit big, but felt nice when rolling, and it was a 63cm.

OK enough babbling, what was the deal with this ordering? My LBS will not order anything unless it's been paid in full. I guess that's not the option you were given?

I seem to be in about the same position as you were. I'm 6'3" inseam 34" and looking for a cx bike to add to the stable. I'm looking at getting a 58cm bike. All my road bikes have been in the 60s. Current one is a 61cm, one before that was a bit big, but felt nice when rolling, and it was a 63cm.

OK enough babbling, what was the deal with this ordering? My LBS will not order anything unless it's been paid in full. I guess that's not the option you were given?

That's just different shops. Your LBS probably is on a much tighter budget and can't afford a loss of an extra bike on stock.

As you are not Racing the thing , just get it to be a wider tire road/touring rig..
doesn't even have to be carbon, really.. of course, it's your wallet..

lots of raves about the Surly Cross Check .. it's steel..
Has fittings ready to put Mudguards on it ..

SBI dealer is in another town, in this county,
Local has a CarbonFiber Felt disc Cross bike in the window..
same Idea.