bobthalamu

Hey all-

I was an avid weightlifter and started having some knee issues that limited my squatting ability...in steped my father with his race bike that he built when I was a tike in the 80s. I started riding his old machine (~17.5lb campy super rec mixed with suntour superbe pro), and loved it till I had a low side down at about 25mph (so said cyclometer) about 4 months ago. I always felt pretty confident on the bike but after how fast and uncontrollably I fell I think it may be time to change.

I'm looking for something with a bit larger tire that will be a bit more plush in the ride and offer more versatile use while maintaining a relatively aggressive geometry (I really like it). I'm a pretty big guy, 6'3-4" 198lbs (hopefully back to 215 once I recover), and I think the old bike is a bit small for me with seat tube C-C ~60cm and top tube C-C ~58cm. Most of the CX bikes I have "seen" (none near my size in the LBSs) are 1-1 or 1-1+ rather than 1-1-. I am curious how others feel about this ratio i.e. stability vs agility and such.

My budget is a bit lower than what it should be to purchase a good STEEL CX/adventure style bike (I really like the vaya but at 2000 its over double my limit). I got really excited about this Nashbar steel CX with 105 components for under 800, but fsa mega exo BB and the unbranded hubs have less than good reviews and at nearly 30lbs I find myself turning into a wt. weenie. This aside I am not sure if the 64cm with its 64cm top tube is a bit too big for me. Thoughts?

Next, the motobecane steel cx w full sram apex for nearly the same as the Nashbar (+50 bucks). It seems that the apex is supposed to be equivalent to the sora-a step down from 105, but thoughts seem to be mixed here...?

Then, the KHS cx-100, a bit more than either of the others, and cheaper components, but lighter? better tubing? I can't figure this out.

Finally, maybe a soma dbl cross frame set for ~450 and move all the mid-80s top o line road components (all still in good shape) from Mr. skinny?

Any input would be appreciated.

Andy_K 

First, I can't help with sizing -- being a short guy I have no feel for the tube sizes a big guy like you needs.

Second, that old racer sounds pretty sweet. Generally with fast cornering your confidence grows slowly and steadily until you exceed the limits of safety and then you're back near square one. You probably don't need to blame the bike. You might be able to blame the tires. I'm never one to say you shouldn't get a new bike (I've got eight in the garage right now), but that bike sets a pretty tough bar for a steel CX bike to compete with, especially in terms of weight.

Third, of the bikes you mentioned, I definitely think the Soma Double Cross would be my favorite. It's possible not all of the components will transfer directly. The headset is almost certainly not compatible. The crankset may or may not be. If the wheels are 700c, they'd be good, otherwise probably not.

I think you've misjudged Apex. It's hard to compare Shimano to SRAM, but SRAM supporters seem to think Apex is a step up from 105, and market prices are consistent with that.

I wouldn't worry about the FSA MegaExo thing. When it's new it will work as well as anything. When it meets its untimely demise (~3500 miles in my experience), you can replace it with a Dura-Ace bottom bracket for around $30 -- the alloy FSA MegaExo cranks are compatible with Shimano bottom brackets.

I'd also consider aluminum bikes. It would open up your options considerably.

teufelhunden222

I agree with the tires as well. I have a 1984 Specialized Allez that Used to feel the same way. 25 years in tire technology make a huge difference man. I am currently running the Specialized Turbo Pro Tires and am in Love with them. BTW I weigh 262.5 down from 300. I run 23"s , but also have 25"s which are more comfy and notably more grippy.

EnzoRWD

New tires are the bomb. When it comes to anything with wheels, spend the money on great tires. Modern rubber just sticks better.

I'm a bigger guy (in cycling-speak) at 6'5" and 185. I run 28mm tires on anything that'll fit 'em. I have one bike that only takes 23mm tires and it's rough. If you're not racing, go fat and thank yourself later.

Re: sizing, I struggle with modern bikes and their M/L/XL sizing. Rubbish. 58cm is not XL. I ride a 62 or 63, with a top tube anywhere from 59 to 61cm. From what I've seen, cross bikes won't have overly long toptubes but a lot have longish stems. Some have a higher bottom bracket, so that can move the standover height up some. Good luck looking for a bike, it's tough for the tall folks.

Something to consider: go to the local shop and ride some bikes. Even if they aren't at all what you're looking for, you can get a sense of what does/doesn't work. Bring a metric tape measure.

bobthalamu

Thanks for the input guys, I hadn't thought about the tires but when I talked to pops last night he confirmed that the tires are 1 gen past lace ups so yeah i think new tires are in its future--hopefully it'll take 25s--I didn't realize that 23 to 25mm would make that much difference. I got a PM about a 60cm dbl cross for sale so I'm going to look more carefully at its geo today as it seems to be a lb or 2 lighter than the nashbar frame and if I use it for some long treks I may appreciate that.

@Andy: I think you are right after consideration I think that only part of my race bike that could move to a new frame would be the rear deralier and the brake levers. I went and looked at a couple of bikes equipped with 105 and Apex and it does seem that apex boasts a much smaller profile--they are much more akin in size to my old simple levers.

@Enzo: Thanks for the sizing reference, if you're 6'5" and you ride in the 59 to 61 top tube range I def. think that the 64cm top tube on the nashbar is too big for me as I am mostly leg--true inseam of ~37in, trunk at 26.5in, and arms of 26.3in.

bobthalamu

Boo, I cannot respond to a PM because I have not posted enough on the site--kinda silly I think. So, Barrettscv my username plus the engine with the exclamation point

EnzoRWD

holy legs. my pants inseam is 35.5, most of my bikes have a standover in the 34.5 range. a true 64cm c-c top tube is massive.

fietsbob

RE went down on skinnys, Consider 650B wheels and a frame built around them...



Bike Shop will help you figure out what Frame size you should ride. and give you some test rides.

pants inseam measurement is nearly useless because your cuff can be draging on the ground,
or above your socks.

You have to get a max standover measurement, from the Taint to the floor?

Barrettscv 

I'm along legged 6' 0" but like larger frames

My Vintage Trek is a 64cm center to center seat-tube size, with a 60cm top-tube length. Standover height is about 34.5 inches with 700x28 tires



My Soma Double Cross is a 60cm with a sloping top tube, a 602mm top-tube length and a 33.5 standover;

bobthalamu

Yeah man 37in is taint to floor measurement no way in heck I wear 37in jeans--more like 34s on my hips

fietsbob

Some printed specs list standover.

you likely want considerably more than 20mm.. between you and the top tube.
[straddling, flat footed]

"cross" bikes have tires around 35mm wide , 29ers are wider than that .

More Wide tire = bigger contact patch.