Lightest "modern" steel cross frame???
07-01-12, 07:32 AM
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Wolfsbane: Thanks man, I didn't know that (170 lb. cutoff), thanks for the info. Does this mean the Cannondale Cyclocross 5/ CAAD9, is under-designed for my weight? I don't want to snap an aluminum frame.
I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Gunnar Crosshairs, thinking that because it is steel it would hold up well to my 220 lbs. I didn't even know that the Fastlane ( https://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/fast-lane/ ) was a cross bike. Does Gunnar talk more about what their official weight ranges and tube material/ strengths are? I would imaging that a 68cm Crosshairs would be a bit stronger/ heavier gauge than the 54cm Crosshairs, even for racing (Have you seen a rider that weighs 170 fit on a 68cm bike?). My guess is that even for Gunnar's race bikes when they get to sizes over 60cm they beef up the tubes - I would like to find out.
Also, this makes me reconsider the Civilian Vive Le Roi because it uses 4130 steel which even though heavier than Reynolds 853/ Tange Platinum, my understanding is that it is inherently stronger. https://www.ridecvln.com/bike-types/cyclocross/
So, if I need a beefier $975 Gunnar Fastlane frame for my weight, I may just spring for a $1200 Civilian Vive Le Roi, complete.
I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Gunnar Crosshairs, thinking that because it is steel it would hold up well to my 220 lbs. I didn't even know that the Fastlane ( https://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/fast-lane/ ) was a cross bike. Does Gunnar talk more about what their official weight ranges and tube material/ strengths are? I would imaging that a 68cm Crosshairs would be a bit stronger/ heavier gauge than the 54cm Crosshairs, even for racing (Have you seen a rider that weighs 170 fit on a 68cm bike?). My guess is that even for Gunnar's race bikes when they get to sizes over 60cm they beef up the tubes - I would like to find out.
Also, this makes me reconsider the Civilian Vive Le Roi because it uses 4130 steel which even though heavier than Reynolds 853/ Tange Platinum, my understanding is that it is inherently stronger. https://www.ridecvln.com/bike-types/cyclocross/
So, if I need a beefier $975 Gunnar Fastlane frame for my weight, I may just spring for a $1200 Civilian Vive Le Roi, complete.
Most competition bike frames, regardless of material used, are designed by manufacturers for riders that are between 145 lbs and 170lbs in mind, because people that do compete in events are, on the average, around that weight range. This is one of the reasons that when a 230 lbs customer tells a serious custom wheel builder that they want him or her to build them a set of "bomb proof" light wheels that they can put on a light road or off road bike, if that wheel builder is honest, he or she will usually tell them to get their weight down to at least 170 lbs, and give them a call back. A lightweight frame will start behaving unpredictably when you start putting 200lbs or more weight on it, and even more if that bike then has to take on gravel or broken pavement. Some manufacturers have started addressing this issue with bikes that have a beefier set of top tube and down tubes. Waterford Precision Cycles, for example, also makes the Gunnar brand of bicycles, which in turn has a lineup of cyclocross frames. They have their original CX frame, the Crosshairs, with their regular OS2 Air Hardening tube set. They have their new disk based competition frame, the Hyper X. And finally they have their heavy duty frame, the Fastlane, which has a beefier sset of the OS2 Air Hardening top tubes and down tubes. Not only can they accommodate a heavier rider, they can also double as a lightweight touring machine if set up properly. The downside with the Fastlane, is that the beefier tube set make the bike a little heavier. But what you trade in weight, you gain in pure comfort enjoyment and resilience.
07-01-12, 10:56 AM
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Awesome, thanks for the confirmation on the CADD9 - I will go ahead and build it up ( I was worried since someone told me it dented easily - that it may not be stout enough for 6'-4" / 220lbs). I still plan on using the All-City Nature Boy steel fork with the frame - which is heavy in comparison to the CAAD9 - but I am OK with it, since my wheels (w/clinchers) are nothing special, and I am putting a BB30 adapter in to use standard Shimano 105 cranks. So overall it is not going to be super lightweight.
I'm bigger than you, OP, and have a Caad9 CX that I love. Exact dimensions you're looking for, great handling/performance, and not a lot of $$.
I build steel bikes and have another cross bike that I love, but the Cannondale is so damn practical and fits well so I grab it pretty frequently for dirt road rides.
PS I have no concerns about the fork strength of the stock fork, but if I did I'd slap an Enve on it and never give it another thought.
I build steel bikes and have another cross bike that I love, but the Cannondale is so damn practical and fits well so I grab it pretty frequently for dirt road rides.
PS I have no concerns about the fork strength of the stock fork, but if I did I'd slap an Enve on it and never give it another thought.
07-01-12, 11:02 AM
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Interesting... I have loved my 63cm 1995 Bianchi Veloce road bike with Dedacciai Zero Uno tubing which rides great for my size - but is not exceptionally light. "Deddi Zero Uno - Heavier gauge set designed for exceptionally sturdy frames. Large selection of round tubes." - I guess, I want a well crafted steel frame that is lighter than a Surly Cross Check. Being almost 40 yrs old - I appreciate the "give" of steel over aluminum; but I could be wrong - especially for a race bike.
07-01-12, 11:13 AM
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No, what is the model called - and what size year is yours? I would need the next size up if the make it.
Was it the Bianchi Reparto Corsa "Cross Concept"?:
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/bia...ml#post1301400
That would be cool to have a big brother to my road bike!
Was it the Bianchi Reparto Corsa "Cross Concept"?:
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/bia...ml#post1301400
That would be cool to have a big brother to my road bike!
Last edited by Erik_A; 07-01-12 at 11:23 AM.
07-01-12, 11:23 AM
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i absolutely love mine. it isnt extremely light but it rides very nice. the semi horizontal dropouts also allow me to swap between a 39x18 and 42x19 ss setups without changing the chain length or brake setup. (it can be used with derailleurs as well)
07-01-12, 11:43 AM
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i should also mention that there were some earlier ones that use a beautiful lugged frame. i know i saw one listed as a 60cm 1997 a while back.
all the reviews and reports that i have read on the welded version are very good with the exception of the fork. i saw several comments that the fork was not as durable as the frame. i am guessing this is why mine came with a curt goodrich fork. who by the way makes the best looking cross bikes ever.
all the reviews and reports that i have read on the welded version are very good with the exception of the fork. i saw several comments that the fork was not as durable as the frame. i am guessing this is why mine came with a curt goodrich fork. who by the way makes the best looking cross bikes ever.
08-04-12, 06:21 AM
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Received the Cannondale (CAAD9 CX9 Cyclocross 5 '09) back from the mechanics at my LBS (Joes Bike Shop - Baltimore) last week, who did an awesome job w/ the build.
I have only done 2 training rides so far, but it has a really great ride - loving it (even with the other mish-mash of parts, heavy wheels and steel front fork).
I have only done 2 training rides so far, but it has a really great ride - loving it (even with the other mish-mash of parts, heavy wheels and steel front fork).
08-04-12, 07:26 AM
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08-14-12, 07:50 PM
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My recent budget C'dale build now that it is dialed-in after a half dozen rides. I am loving it, smoothest aluminum frame that I have ridden. Many "cheap" heavier components - chosen for their strength (I am 6'-4" 225#) - so far, so good.
Frame
2009 CAAD9 CX9 Cyclocross 5
Size: 60cm
Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material: CAAD9 Optimo Taper Butted Alloy
Fork Brand & Model: All City; Nature Boy
Fork Material: Steel
Components
Brakeset: Shimano CX-70 Catilevers
Shift Levers: late 1990's Campy Record Ergo – 8 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano CX-70
Rear Derailleur: Campy Veloce
Crankset: Shimano CX-50 Compact Double, 46/36 teeth
Pedals: Crank Brothers - Eggbeaters
Bottom Bracket: Shimano 105 with a FSA BB30 adapter to English threaded
BB Shell Width: 68mm
Rear Cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Seatpost: FSA Carbon, 27.2mm diameter
Saddle: Specialized Avatar Gel - 130
Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell 3 - 46cm
Bar Wrap: Salsa Gel Cork Bar Tape
Handlebar Stem: FSA
Wheels
Hubs Shimano Deore
Rims Alex DH19
Tires 700 x 35c Continental Speed King
Frame
2009 CAAD9 CX9 Cyclocross 5
Size: 60cm
Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material: CAAD9 Optimo Taper Butted Alloy
Fork Brand & Model: All City; Nature Boy
Fork Material: Steel
Components
Brakeset: Shimano CX-70 Catilevers
Shift Levers: late 1990's Campy Record Ergo – 8 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano CX-70
Rear Derailleur: Campy Veloce
Crankset: Shimano CX-50 Compact Double, 46/36 teeth
Pedals: Crank Brothers - Eggbeaters
Bottom Bracket: Shimano 105 with a FSA BB30 adapter to English threaded
BB Shell Width: 68mm
Rear Cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Seatpost: FSA Carbon, 27.2mm diameter
Saddle: Specialized Avatar Gel - 130
Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell 3 - 46cm
Bar Wrap: Salsa Gel Cork Bar Tape
Handlebar Stem: FSA
Wheels
Hubs Shimano Deore
Rims Alex DH19
Tires 700 x 35c Continental Speed King
08-14-12, 09:28 PM
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Not bad, not bad. 
Those are my favorite shifters ever. My bianchi is being converted to a commuter. It now has 105 aero pedals with toe clips and I am mounting full fenders.
Those are my favorite shifters ever. My bianchi is being converted to a commuter. It now has 105 aero pedals with toe clips and I am mounting full fenders.
08-14-12, 09:30 PM
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For racing you may find that with a 36 tooth small chainring the 32 tooth cog is bigger than you need: You may appreciate the closer spacing that an 11-27 or 11-28 gives you but race it a couple times then decide.
Looks like a fine build.
Brent
Looks like a fine build.
Brent
08-15-12, 08:19 AM
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Looking at a Gunnar vs Soma myself right now. A local bike builder says it wil be under 20lbs with Rival gear and discs - not that weight is my primary concern. Approx $2500 for that bike complete (slightly more for Gunnar vs Soma). Opinions on the two appreciated too.
Moots Ti bike - $5000
In between is Ibis carbon for $3500
Thoughts?
Moots Ti bike - $5000
In between is Ibis carbon for $3500
Thoughts?
08-15-12, 03:07 PM
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Thanks - I run these 1990's Ergopower version 1's on all 3 of my bikes - road, drop bar MTB, and now CX. These are very tough shifters, I have kept my 1995 Bianchi road bike in an unconditioned garage for 17 years, and the lube is still good (just add a few spritzes of wet lube every year) meanwhile, I have had 2 newer sets of Shimano brifters dry out on me. I have hit a tree with a high speed direct hit to the right Ergo brifter on my MTB without failure. Love these old shifters, my LBS mechanic rolls his eyes at me though with setting up 8 speed 20 year old+ technology! https://www.tearsforgears.com/2009/12...-italiano.html
08-15-12, 03:13 PM
#40
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find out what tube-set they used to build the frame from..
wall thicknesses wil suggest relative weight
8 - 6 - 8 , less than 9 -7 - 9.
TIG weigh less than Lugs.
Of course wet Mud weighs a lot,
so get 2,
and have someone in the Pits to clean off the crud,
and hand up the clean one .
with a well choreographed flow to not lose time.
wall thicknesses wil suggest relative weight
8 - 6 - 8 , less than 9 -7 - 9.
TIG weigh less than Lugs.
Of course wet Mud weighs a lot,
so get 2,
and have someone in the Pits to clean off the crud,
and hand up the clean one .
with a well choreographed flow to not lose time.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-15-12 at 03:19 PM.
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