bryroth

Pretend for a second that disc brakes are legal all over the world. It has flat bars. But is the geometry and functionality that of a cyclocross bike? If I bought it and got in good enough shape using it, could I race this bike in a cyclocross race that allows discs?

Or is this purely a street recreation/fitness kind of bike.

I just sold my Kona Jake. I'm too new for that bike.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/09_sport_camal_ii.html

flargle

https://race.cx/2007/01/04/cpq-6-greg-reain/
17. For you, what is the essence of cyclocross?
Making do with what you got. Equipment, body type, and terrain. Just make it work.

cs1

No links or pics. What bike are you talking about?

Elisdad

People race CX on stock 29ers with disc brakes.

They even use risers instead of a flat bar.

mateus

so what exactly makes a cx bike, a cx bike?
i have a monocog that im thinking about putting drops and 'road' levers on and do so entry level cx races but im concerned because it has 26in wheels.
whatever, i guess,

flargle

Why switch handlebars?

Barrettscv 

If it has drop bars, fits 700cx35 tires and the BB drop is less than 70mm, it's a CX bike.

flargle

Wrong.

What makes a cross bike a cross bike is that it performs well in cyclocross races. Thomas Frischknecht got a silver in Worlds riding flat bars; was he not riding a cross bike?

Barrettscv 

I reasonably good answer is better than no answer at all.

MONGO!

It you can put wide tires on it you can race cross with it.

What makes a good cross bike?
Light weight with a non sloping top tube for shouldering ease.
Canti brakes and enough clearance for wide tires.
Strong enough to take the abuse.

I've seen people put flat bars on dedicated cross frames 'cos they prefer the handling.

Oh, and disc brakes are legal for any race, except UCI Elite category.

I've seen people ride full suspension MTB's, even saw a beach cruiser in one race.

Andy_K 

Last week at Hillsboro this was a cross bike:

Crast

What exactly is going on in there? I can see there are two forks, but what is done to the frame to allow the rear wheel out so far (it seems at first glance that those are normal chainstays, and the top tube to stay level?

I'm just curious, because that is intriguqing

bryroth

Hey, I updated my knucklehead original post to reflect the bike I was talking about.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/09_sport_camal_ii.html

flargle

It would probably make a decent cross bike, looks like you could get some knobby tires under there.

I'm curious about your comment that you are "too new" for the Kona.

bryroth

^^
Long answer:

Well, I used to ride a mountain bike everywhere, and I mean everywhere when I was in high school and in college. Sometimes I even rode it on a mountain. I was seriously comfortable on it for long distances (50-80 miles), and could practically stand on the seat if I wanted to change positions.

So then I graduate and move out of the mountains and back to civilization, where riding a bike is not as easy. So I started running. I got knee problems. I decided to start biking again so I bought what I thought was a used road bike, the 05 Kona Jake. I'd never been on a road bike.

I replaced the giant drops with Bontrager women's drops to try to help myself out, but I still felt like I was going to fall over whenever I transitioned. I replaced the 7-speed Sora with 8-speed Tiagra to get rid of the "thumb buttons." Turns out the thumb buttons suited me better. Replaced the seat, replaced the stem. Realized that I just like flat bars.

Obviously, if I rode it for like five years I'd probably get used to it. That's what I meant by being "too new." For now I just want to stick with what I know, or transition into the road thing.

As a side note, I put my Kona up for auction on eBay and got kind of hosed by the selling price. Some girl up in Philadelphia got a good deal.

flargle

Fair enough. I wonder if the bike was too small for you, that would explain feeling like you were going to fall over.

There are other handlebar options that you might find interesting. On-One Midge handlebars are a very shallow, wide, flared drop bar, that kind of splits the difference between a road bar and a mtn flat bar.

These "hybrid" commuter bikes are fine but generally are heavier than a road or cross bike.

Have you been to a bike shop where they let you try out a bunch of different bikes?

Andy_K 

I have no idea. Obviously lots of cutting and welding were involved. Beyond that, I know nothing.

Andy_K 

+1 I've got an '08 Jake and the drops actually seem kinda small to me.

That said, the best bike is the one you like to ride. The Bianchi looks like it would be pretty decent for cyclocross.

jonestr

Are you looking to race this thing or just ride it off road a bit?

The first thing that jumped out at me is that has a cable routed on the bottom side of the top tube, which may make for some uncomfortable shouldering if you choose to race.

Otherwise it may be ok on some light trails, but hybrids usually put all your weight on your rear wheel, which is bad for cornering especially in loose stuff. I am not saying this bike does that, but it is usually the case.

I might try a regular cx bike and then just get some flat bars on it, as it sounds like you were having a tough time moving between the drops, tops, and hoods, but then I again I do like a good cross bike.

bryroth

^^Yes, I would if I had the funds, but I was surprised at how expensive a drop to flat bar conversion can be. Not only is it the bar, but the shifters and front derailer. And if it's a new bike, you might have to lose the 10-speed gearing all together to add trigger shifters. If I could, I'd get a Poprad and add a flat bar. However, Lemond is out of business and those bikes are way too expensive.

flargle

Flat bar + short-pull levers + bar-end shifters (eBay) + Paul thumbies. Shimano indexed bar-end shifters work great.

The other option is an alternative bar like On-One Midge, moustache, albatross, etc, that fits road stuff. In either case, getting the right stem setup would be key for success.

Shouldn't have sold that Kona.

bryroth

^^^Didn't want to go that route. Wasn't riding the Kona.

dcvelo

Apparently UCI has decided not....

flargle

I wasn't aware that they relegated him.

jonestr

They didnt, they banned it afterwards