jbenkert111

Quick question. I am thinking of doing a cyclocross race very soon. It will be my first and I am doing it to see if I like it. I have an old road bike that I would like to for this race. It has 700/23 tires and I am wondering if I buy 2 700/35 cross tires will they fit on the rims I have now and will there be enough clearance all around. Also, any other words of wisdon would be appreciated.

CliftonGK1

The issue isn't with the tires and rims (yes, they'll fit), but rather with clearance inside your brake calipers, under the fork, and inside the stays on the bike. What year/model is the bike? That's going to give more information for tire clearance.

Andy_K 

Old road bikes typically have a better chance of working than new road bikes (because of the clearance issues CliftonGK1 described). If you've got side pull brakes, I'd say you chances are slim. If you have center pull or cantilever brakes you can probably do it.

Other advice: just get out there and race. Most advice for newbies makes more sense after you've tried it once or twice. The biggest mistake everyone makes is waiting before they try it.

FMB42

I'm going to say that your biggest hurdle will (1st) be the clearance "under the fork" and (2nd) inside the seat stays (as Clifton says). The brake calipers can usually be upgraded for more clearance at a reasonable price. Clearance problems with the fork would normally require an upgrade. The rear stays, on the other-hand, can sometimes be carefully indented for more clearance.

I run Kenda Kommando 700/32s on my track framed S.S. CX/Urban/Hybrid lash-up. These tires easily clear everything but "under the fork" (which only clears by ~ 6-7mm). This, of course, limits its ability to run in anything more than light to medium thick mud. I'll also add that I'm happily using a pair of $40 USD Tektro R730 (BR7308) Long Reach Road Calipers w/ Kool Stop mtb pads. YMMV

Btw, you might ask those that are holding the race about borrowing a CX bike just to see how you like that style of racing. That way, when all goes well, you can either modify your "old roadbike" or buy/build a dedicated CXer.

Good luck on your first race!

jbenkert111

Thanks alot for info. With everyone's tips and looking at the old bike I do not think it will work (side pull brakes and all) However, I did call the event director about borrowing a bike and he said he had some old one,s he would be willing to sell. I could use one and if I liked it, I could buy it cheap, if not, no problem. So I am set.

John

Gjc985

I actually have the same question. Could I turn my old https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...asport_bk.html

into a cyclocross bike. I was thinking about using a set of 2012 askiums as my wheels. What do you think?

flargle

I think that bike barely fits 28mm slicks.

Gjc985

damn anyway to change that?

Andy_K 

Nope. That Jamis will never do cyclocross -- at least not successfully. You could get a cheap frame and repurpose a lot of the components, but I don't think I would. If you want to try out CX racing, you could just pickup an old rigid mountain bike. It'll at least get you in the game.