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Why a cyclocross
I'm Looking to get a cross bike, my Dad is questioning me on why I want one,( im only 15 and he is paying for some of it) I think they are cool, more durable then a road bike, also I want to swap the front fork with one with suspension, They have a higher pedal crank ( thats what i heard). I do mostly commuter riding, and a little on dirt trails. Are there any other benefits that a Cyclocross has over a road bike, with Cyclocross tires?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...m_cross_cx.htm |
For me it was:
1. Generous clearance that allows me to fit wider tyres 2. Full mudguards (fenders) 3. Rack and panniers These are all essential for me because I use it as a commuter bike. The bottom bracket is not noticeably higher on my frame, I think that only applied when most people were still using clips and straps. Personally I think suspension forks are evil, but whatever floats your boat. |
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Cyclocross bikes are not designed to accept suspension forks, which usually have alonger length (axle to crown) than a standard 'cross fork. In addition to putting undue stress on the frame, the handlng will be crappy with a suspension fork. Let me turn the question around: why do you need a suspension fork on a cyclocross bike?
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My opinion is that they make the bike feel loose and soak up pedaling effort. They add unnecessary weight and are not needed for anything less than a technical trail, for which you would be better served by a mountain bike.
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ok, i take back what I said about, a New Front Fork, i do not need one. The reason I wanted one is My brother had a mountain bike without a fork with suspension, his bike is less comfortable ride, it might just be, i cant think of the word, but anyways im still looking for reasons
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A cross bike can serve several purposes.. It can be one heck of a commuter bike, a great cross race bike (duh!), a great road bike that you can even get into racing with (with road tires, of course) and an offroad machine for all but the knarly stuff.
Good Luck! |
MARKHR Thank you for taking the time to list the links!:thumb:
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Originally Posted by Quest2008
(Post 7651307)
MARKHR Thank you for taking the time to list the links!:thumb:
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I bought a Kona Jake for commuting. When I went shopping, I was looking for a road bike, but my criteria were (1) under $1000, (2) had to be able to take rack and full fenders. The Kona Jake was the best bike I could find that fit these criteria.
Once you get above the very base level road components (above Sora, for instance), it becomes increasingly difficult to find a road bike that will take a rack and fenders. At that point, you're pretty much looking at touring bikes and cyclocross. Touring bikes are heavy. Unless you're actually going to be touring, you don't need that kind of weight. So that leaves cyclocross as a good option. Cyclocross bikes are also really good for cyclocross racing, incidentally. (I just did my first race yesterday, and I'm kinda still on a buzz from it.) :) |
Originally Posted by Joerocks1222
(Post 7650286)
Are there any other benefits that a Cyclocross has over a road bike, with Cyclocross tires?
Some cyclocross bikes have fender and rack mounts, which makes the bike more practical and flexible than most road bikes. Some of the racing cross bikes don't have those, so it depends on what you get. |
why would a cyclocross be more practical then say a flat bar hybrid, for mostly commuter riding and some offroad dirt trails
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Originally Posted by Joerocks1222
(Post 7652638)
why would a cyclocross be more practical then say a flat bar hybrid, for mostly commuter riding and some offroad dirt trails
To your question though, it depends on which cyclocross bike and which hybrid. Lots of variation in 'hybrids' nowadays, they can be anything from a twitchy road bike with a flat bar to a heavy 'comfort' bike with sprung saddle and bars 8" above the saddle. Some of them can be more practical than some cyclocross bikes. What hybrid(s) were you looking at? How will you ride the dirt roads... are they really flat, and you'll ride them leisurely, or do you plan on riding them fast and pushing yourself constantly? |
The only reason I'm getting a cyclocross bike (apart from possibly racing) is because it's a road bike that I can take more places, enabling me to take a few shortcuts getting around that a roadbike couldn't do.
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The Specialized Crosstrail is the most practical and cost effective bike I can think of for commuting/off-road use. Kinda heavy, and the suspension fork might be overkill, but I was really considering one.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...=38464&eid=125 Nowadays, I'm leaning more toward drop bars than flat bars, but for just about half the price of most entry level cyclocross bikes, it might be a decent compromise. Although the Motobecane Fantom is a pretty good value as well, if you trust yourself to choose the right size and do some of the assembly. |
Sounds like the cyclocross bike is a great choice then. I'd pick up the BD bike for a first cyclocross if I didn't already have a pimped-out Gunnar.
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If you want a do anything bike, the trouble with the Motobecane is that it has a double chainring. Most of the other sub-$1000 cross bikes like the Kona Jake have a triple, which is handy when you have to pull your books and change of clothes up a hill.
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Originally Posted by Joerocks1222
(Post 7652638)
why would a cyclocross be more practical then say a flat bar hybrid, for mostly commuter riding and some offroad dirt trails
If you do a lot of heavy trail riding, get a mountain bike. If you commute, ride on trails every now and then, want to hang with the road riders, AND can only afford one bike, then get a cross bike. |
i got my bike the other day and am assembling it, I've rode it about 10 miles so far and i'm loving it
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what model bike did you settle on?
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