Babe Ruthless

Not sure if this belongs here or in the CX forum, but here it goes:

I have a full Shimano XT groupset lying around (bought abroad as a favor for an acquaintance who didn't collect the goods - or pay for them for that matter). I also have a compatible wheelset. :-)

Can I use all this to build a nice hybrid bike using one of them chinese CX frames? Are the MTB components compatible? (wheels are OK, cassette can be swapped if needed)

Are the geometries on these frames compatible with flat bar use, or would I be getting myself an uncomfortable monster?

Thanks!


Now, anticipating some derailments :

1. Cost is within reasonable limits. This would be a matter of buying a frame, tyres, stem and a flat bar. No, I don't want to buy a trek/specialized/etc. "proper hybrid".

2. Chinese carbon issues: chinese carbon frames - they're cheap; they're light; there's plenty of favorable opinions on them everywhere - including my local mechanic's so I'm not debating frame supplier choice at this point. This is from one of their more reputable sellers. I'm familiar with the frame I'd use but I've only seen/checked it with a road/cx handlebar.

3. Bike would be used around the city and dirt roads - I'm not really into trails at this point. No interest in a mountain bike.

4. I already have a nice road bike that takes "wider" 28mm tyres. I don't cyclocross. I'd like to try something with a flat handlebar.

Thanks!

fietsbob

Just

Grey.

Have you ever built a bike before? That's my only "derailment".

dynaryder

As far as the geometry is concerned,as long as you keep in mind the style of bar you're going to run when you pick the size,you'll be fine. As for the MTB groupo,what's the frame's rear spacing? MTB stuff is mostly 135,if the frame is road 130 your rear hub won't work. Also,you'll need to ensure the BB matches,or you'll need a new BB and cranks.

Babe Ruthless

It's a 68mm BB and the frame can be specced with that. I'm a bit worried about the rear spacing though, different vendors give conflicting info regarding this - even though the products is always "FM058" (I suspect all of them come from the same factory).

As for geometry, do I have to get a larger frame?

@Grey

I had my road bike built from components I selected. I wouldn't dare building a bike myself. ;-)

CliffordK

If your hubs have the stock threaded 10mm axles, then it is generally is easy enough to make them wider or narrower by adding or removing spacers (and dishing) as needed, although many manufactures are moving away from the older standards.

Monstermash

You'll be fine using the flat bar and the mtn bike group on a CX frame. I built a custom flat bar Specialized Crux carbon last year and it was awesome.

Here's a link to a thread I started on it.

https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...n-flatbar.html

Babe Ruthless

I've a Novatec D712SB rear hub. Also have the A/F741SB hibset easily available through a friend. Do these have removable spacers?
@Monstermash

That's a fantastic bike, Pretty much what I'm aiming at. :-) Rear spacing was 130mm with this frame I suppose? Got 130 or 135 wheels? I'm guessing 135 (discs and all) but there are a few disc 130mm wheels out there too.

CliffordK

A hub like the Shimano 105 FH-5600 hub is easy to adjust the spacing narrower, and perhaps wider.

With the endcap design on the Novatec, it would depend on the availability of 130mm endcaps which may be hard to find.

The Novatec page says those are 135mm, which may be common for cyclocross.

Babe Ruthless

I've confirmed with the vendor that the frame has 135mm rear spacing. :-)

About fit: I'm usually a 52-54 on road bikes, should I get a 54-56 with a flat bar?

fietsbob

you got a lot of clearance standing over the smaller frame?

Babe Ruthless

Not really. On a horizontal top tube frame 53 is the "official" fit (bike shop fit, confirmed online), 54 is pushing it. I'm counting on the slight top tube slope these frames seem to have. Not sure of the size I saw at the shop.

cs1

It's a valid question.

dynaryder

Compare the geo charts to a bike you currently have that fits. Drop bar bikes usually have shorter TT's to compensate for the longer reach to the hoods and drops.

eevo

Hello there,

If you are building up the bike with mtb components on a cx frame, you might consider the type of front derailleur cabling.

All of cyclocross bikes I have seen have road components on them. Cx frames are conformable with road frames with some differences. They use road derailleurs with road cranksets.

Usual system of the front derailleur cablnig on cx frame is through the pulley right above BB from behind the seat tube. For this system can be used only road FD and thus you might also get different chain line diameters in combination with mtb crankset.

Also, if you are planning to use flat handlebars, you will need FD from "flat handlebar series" which should be compatible with mtb trigger shifters. Check these Shimano front derailleurs here: https://www.shimano.com.au/publish/co...handlebar.html .

Hope this will help with your project, good luck!