How tough is a cyclocross?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How tough is a cyclocross?
I'm just discovering cyclocross bikes. How much trail can they actually handle? Anything more than a hard packed dirt trail? I'm debating right between getting a mountain bike and putting some slicks on it or going for the cyclocross. 90% of my riding is on road, but occasionally I like to hit the dirt as well...nothing serious (no boulders or huge roots). Just wondering how offroad the cyclocross can go. Also, anyone have an opinion on Fuji's 2005 Comp Cross? Thanks!
#2
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Originally Posted by anabella645
I'm just discovering cyclocross bikes. How much trail can they actually handle? Anything more than a hard packed dirt trail? I'm debating right between getting a mountain bike and putting some slicks on it or going for the cyclocross. 90% of my riding is on road, but occasionally I like to hit the dirt as well...nothing serious (no boulders or huge roots). Just wondering how offroad the cyclocross can go. Also, anyone have an opinion on Fuji's 2005 Comp Cross? Thanks!
Al
#3
Get the stick.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,543
Bikes: 12 Y.O. Litespeed MTB, IRO Jamie Roy fixie, Custom Habanero Ti 'Cross, No name SS MTB, Old school lugged steel track bike (soon)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I take my cross bike on very steep, technical MTB trails about once a week. Sometimes I do MTB club rides on it just to piss of the guys riding $5000 full suspension bikes It is more challenging than riding the same trail on my MTB, but I can still clean all but the steepest stuff. The wheels take more of a pounding without the benefit of a big low pressure MTB tire, so I have had to touch them up occasionally. Other than that, I'd say my cross is just as tough as my XC MTB. I wouldn't be doing drop offs on it or anything, but you will be surprsied at what a cross bike can do in the dirt-I know I was. With the right gearing, you can handle just about anything if you pick a clean line.
Now....for the other 90% of the time, when you are on the road.... Look out! My hardtail MTB feels like molasses in january in comparason. Every time I get on it after riding my cross for a few days it makes me laugh at how slow, fat and squishy it is. Night and day. Cross bikes really are fun. Go for it.
Now....for the other 90% of the time, when you are on the road.... Look out! My hardtail MTB feels like molasses in january in comparason. Every time I get on it after riding my cross for a few days it makes me laugh at how slow, fat and squishy it is. Night and day. Cross bikes really are fun. Go for it.
#4
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I take my cross bike (a surly cross check) everywhere. It is almost bombproof. I do technical mountain trails, and long road rides. If 90% or your riding is on the road, I would definetaly say get a cross bike. My cross check has taken a 2.5 foot drop and is still in great shape.
p
p
#5
Humvee of bikes =Worksman
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
As these post have pointed out if you keep up the extra maintance
trails riding requires your bike pick should do OK.
FWIW......I think the cross bikes are the sleepers of the cycling
world for overall fun.
trails riding requires your bike pick should do OK.
FWIW......I think the cross bikes are the sleepers of the cycling
world for overall fun.
#6
Just riding
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Exeter, UK
Posts: 651
Bikes: Cannondale Bad Boy / Mercian track / BOB trailer / Moulton recumbent project
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hell, I can take hardpack dirt on my *track* bike with cross tyres []. Cross bikes are quiet demons, tough as old boots.
#7
The Weird Beard
Join Date: May 2005
Location: COS
Posts: 8,554
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by anabella645
I'm just discovering cyclocross bikes. How much trail can they actually handle? Anything more than a hard packed dirt trail? I'm debating right between getting a mountain bike and putting some slicks on it or going for the cyclocross. 90% of my riding is on road, but occasionally I like to hit the dirt as well...nothing serious (no boulders or huge roots). Just wondering how offroad the cyclocross can go. Also, anyone have an opinion on Fuji's 2005 Comp Cross? Thanks!
#8
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Originally Posted by Toddorado
I have the same question. Aside from overall weight, maybe a tighter wheelbase, larger wheels, and drop bars, I can't tell the difference. Would the advantages be mainly on road then? I have a Giant Rainer MTB which I've 'modified' with quasi-road tires (2.0" center-bead knobbies), added straight bar and aero bars, tweaked the suspension down to minimum travel and it completely kicks ass. I have considered a cyclocross for a second bike, but was wondering what I would gain if I'm not a racer. FWIW, I have a very difficult time fitting on a road bike - just doesn't feel comfortable. How do drop bars handle on trails? Is the advantage on the road compared to a MTB that significant? Thanks for the input - I'm going to look at a RedLine, a Fuji and a Bianchi today and with your help, maybe make a decision.
You could also try narrower higher pressure slicks on the mtb as an alternative to a new bike.
Al
Al
#9
The Weird Beard
Join Date: May 2005
Location: COS
Posts: 8,554
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Al, that is exactly what I needed to hear. My commute contains LOTS of hilly areas, so if I can gain some speed going UP, that's always good. I have tried semi-slicks on my MTB, and while I noticed a difference in speed, it wasn't significant enough to switch permanently. I will be taking a 750 mile tour later this year - how do you see it as a better touring bike?
#10
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Originally Posted by Toddorado
Al, that is exactly what I needed to hear. My commute contains LOTS of hilly areas, so if I can gain some speed going UP, that's always good. I have tried semi-slicks on my MTB, and while I noticed a difference in speed, it wasn't significant enough to switch permanently. I will be taking a 750 mile tour later this year - how do you see it as a better touring bike?
Al
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The only differences between the Redline Conquest and the Redline Conquest Touring are rack mounts and component quality.
At least Redline appears to believe their cross bikes are good for touring as well.
At least Redline appears to believe their cross bikes are good for touring as well.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I gave up on mtb's about three years ago. I was waiting for my Rivendell mtn. to get repainted and took my Atlantis (by Rivendell, essentialy a cyclocross/touring bike, 700c) offroad, I had rode a lot of dirt roads with this bike but never anything too rough. As I rode progressivley rougher trail I got some knobbies and never looked back. I sold my mtn. bike without ever rebuiling it. I don't do any jumps/hucks with this bike, but am comfortable on real life trails, steep, rocky whatever. I wouldn't say that it is ideal for any "North
shore Style Stunts" but that's not my bag. For epic backcountry style riding it can't be beat. FWIW, I have never used suspension of any kind and my drivetrain is 2x9 (48/34, 11-34). Yes, cyclocross bikes tour well if not too lightweight and absolutley scream on the road compared to any mtb.
shore Style Stunts" but that's not my bag. For epic backcountry style riding it can't be beat. FWIW, I have never used suspension of any kind and my drivetrain is 2x9 (48/34, 11-34). Yes, cyclocross bikes tour well if not too lightweight and absolutley scream on the road compared to any mtb.