jumping into CX...for fun (for now)...need a bike!
...so, if worse comes to worse, i'll be the silly guy there with my old trekenstein (removed the shocks, got a rigid) and use a friend's 1.5 hybrid tires that do have some bite to the tread, but not knobbies...no drop bars (yet)...just risers or flat bar choices for now.
BUT, i want to do this right. i figure the older road bike with good clearance and get some cheapie knobbies (kendas) just to get started and get a feel for the 40 minutes of hellish fun. working on my stamina now. just finished a 50 mile ride (Escape New York) and doing good, brisk 30+ mile stints on the road along with some mountain biking throughout the month (the race is in early november). i just bought a Giant Defy 3 road bike and do NOT want to use it...nor could i: there is no clearance for knobbies. ...so, should i make one of the following choices, what would be the smart one/least idiotic one:rolleyes: : buy a cheapie, under $200 Denali (good frame and i won't care if i get mud on it...of course, change the tires) or the infamous BDirect windsor/motebecane choices ( multi-speeds or SS...)....OR, see if i get lucky and find an old Schwinn Varisty or whatever road bike on craigslist philly or a garage sale. i do want to join the fun. if it leads to more, sure, i'll amp up the gear. but for now, economics and time are my major competitors. i really don't know if i want to do the BD thing...:o |
why not keep chugging on your trek.. then if you absolutely love it, get yourself something from bd.
I can see the craig's project adding up. For instance, you'll buy some new brake pads, tires, tubes, realize you need more clearance and need to buy a 700c wheelset, the wheelset will only accomodate a cassette..then you'll have to go to 8/9/10 speed, buy a new chain, you'll want to get a barend shifter and realize that it might now work with your schwinn's drop bars(if it is an old steel bar), want an sti, etc.. |
thanks for the info and advice.:thumb:
well, let me find a pic of the trek in one of it's older manifestations...ok, here's one: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...c/DSC02793.jpg that was before i ran into a large rock and bent the fork... i'd change the wheels....and ...handlebars? or do you see flat bars at all in CX? how many folks just use SSpeed? i like the simplicity of it...but i like my 24 speeds on that trek, too. here's the trek with bent fork detail shot: http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f7...c/DSC02855.jpg i just bent it back...need to ask my father-in-law (an engineer) how much molecular integrity of the steel has been compromised past what is 'safe'...:o |
i don't know, just can't do it...even with the bike above altered accordingly....gotta have a least something that is designed for CX....
anyone doing CX on a MTB? on a SS? w/o dropbars? just curious. i know UCI doesn't allow for certain things at the more competitive/$ levels |
A lot of people around here do CX on mountain bikes -- front suspension, wide tires, you name it. I think I even saw a couple in the B race today. Just get out there and race. :thumb:
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Originally Posted by UBUvelo
(Post 9797373)
....gotta have a least something that is designed for CX....
anyone doing CX on a MTB? on a SS? w/o dropbars? just curious. I ride a SS "cross" bike - Bianchi San Jose. There are usually a few mtn bikes and/or flat-bar bikes racing. Winner of today's 35+ race was on a flat-bar somethingoranther - looked like a Raleigh cross frame with a mtn bar. |
Originally Posted by Andy_K
(Post 9797436)
A lot of people around here do CX on mountain bikes -- front suspension, wide tires, you name it. I think I even saw a couple in the B race today. Just get out there and race. :thumb:
i know CX is fun:p but can be serious:notamused:, i do appreciate the more relaxed responses compared to what i've seen on other subforums... thanks |
Just ride your MTB until you decide how in you are.
Saw a number of MTB's at today's race, including a few high placers. |
Originally Posted by Rumpled
(Post 9799105)
Just ride your MTB until you decide how in you are.
Saw a number of MTB's at today's race, including a few high placers. i might jump on those drop-bar ends from origin 8 http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle.../dp/B0013G6PB8 think my bent fork now bent back will take one final ounce of abuse? |
I like the idea of a rigid fork on your MTB. I wish I would have had that option available. I'm now putting cross tires on a commuter/touring bike to see if that helps. I'm sure I'll end up with a dedicated cros bike before all is said and done.
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Originally Posted by wanders
(Post 9804612)
I like the idea of a rigid fork on your MTB. I wish I would have had that option available. I'm now putting cross tires on a commuter/touring bike to see if that helps. I'm sure I'll end up with a dedicated cros bike before all is said and done.
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ride your trek and just have fun. i got dropped by a guy sunday on a full suspension MTB.
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you must do a lot of bar spins with those suuuuper long cables.
bending steel back and forth will work harden it and making it brittle. i wouldn't ride a fork that's been bent back and forth so drastically. sounds like a great way to activate your dental plan. |
Originally Posted by isotopesope
(Post 9807780)
you must do a lot of bar spins with those suuuuper long cables.
bending steel back and forth will work harden it and making it brittle. i wouldn't ride a fork that's been bent back and forth so drastically. sounds like a great way to activate your dental plan. |
A Bianchi San Jose sounds like its right up your alley. Only one speed but its a great beater CX bike. You can't go wrong with it!
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yeah, SSpeed is very inviting...and so is beater (what my two other bikes are). will check it out...
what about the suspectDIY bikes from BD...? |
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