The B

If you were a poor man.

I've got a cross frame decked out in purely road components and configured for road. I did this because I wanted something I could put full fenders on and run larger tires, and because I thought I'd like to get into cross racing. It started as a commuter-for-health thing, and I discovered I really liked riding the bike. And especially competitively. Bike is a Jake the Snake frame with 6600 shifters/ders, Red 53/39 crankset, S30 Race wheels. -8* stem is slammed (onto the brake hanger), and I committed and cut the steerer- no tower of spacers.

Backstory of this build is I'm a recovering alpine climber and needed something to replace climbing as an excuse for exercise. I sold a bunch of climbing gear to fund the build (I'm kind of a student/sometimes half-employed bum). Went with a cross frame so I could do full fenders and possibly rock panniers, but I never did get into luggage. I did have fenders on the bike all winter long, but I don't think I'll be putting them back on.

Having the cross frame is awesome for doing cross, and I did do a cross race and think I'd like to do more. This bike obviously isn't really geared for cross, and the cockpit is configured pretty aggressive... so it currently doesn't do cross well. But being an aluminum, cantilevered frame, it's also not exactly a road bike.. but I definitely like road riding. Addicted to Strava and nabbing KOMs, love to hill climb, and love impromptu races with chance encounters on the road. I really want to get into road and crit racing this summer, and the bike IS geared for that... but I'm not sure if the cross frame is dimensionally appropriate for that. Plus, being the only guy on the line with a cross frame will likely make me self-conscious (and rightly so, right? Ya snobby ****s).

However.. I'd be willing to keep the cross frame and just be a little self-conscious, if it's the best compromise for my situation. Poor people do what they can. I think I'm fast... wouldn't winning make up for the weird bike some? We're talking cat 4/5 afterall.

And I'll just add... aside from officiated racing, the bike currently meets all my "fun" needs. Fast, light (for a not-road bike, 19lbs), versatile. My ass gets pretty hammered on rides over 60 miles or so, that's about my only complaint.. but I can still hack it if I'm disciplined and adjust regularly.

So what do you think?

Options:

1. Sell cross frame and buy steel/carbon road frame, move all my components over. Start putting together another, probably less expensive cross build, as I can afford it, in preparation to race cross this fall/winter
2. Keep cross frame and just start entering road races. Buy a 36/46 crankset and just throw that on there this winter for cross
3. Keep the bike as is and give up the dream- only rich boys can race
4. ?

Thanks

-B

hayden52

I recommend 2. When you start winning races if you feel inclined, go for 1.

wallrat

Another vote for 2. Give those rich boys a good smack down.

wphamilton

Winning would make it a virtue! Why don't you race with it, see where you stand, and then you'd have a bit more knowledge to bring to these decisions.

Niloc

how handy are you? where do you live? You might be able to find a nice older road frame for cheap and move stuff over and then build up a 'cross bike. I race cross too, but before I started racing it was set up as a commuter. Now that it's set up for racing with the good 'cross gearing and other adjustments, well that's what it's for (and some gentle mtn bike riding with my kids), it's not really good for the road anymore.

I hear you on the frugal angle, but despite what people say about how versatile 'cross bikes, nah, ultimately you're going to need two bikes on for road one for 'cross.

The B

I'm handy enough to handle the conversion- I built up my Snake from a bare frame. From the headset to the routing to the bar tape. I'm in Portland

Niloc

Ok well Portland is jam packed with bicycle heads so you should be able to bargain hunt around for what you need. I suppose on the other hand nice vintage frames get snapped up by all the hipsters.

Psimet2001 

Keep the frame. Plenty of people race road on a cross frame. The canti brakes can cause issues if you have a picky official. In general it won't cause problems this season.

Start buying a cross build. Don't super fret over it. Just get a cross crank if you want. Easiest way. Mainly because cross season is right around the bend. If you aren't super into cross then just use it as a way to keep riding hard outside in the off months around a racing scene.

When you can - buy a crit/race frame. Get whatever you want. Something with road geometry. Build the rest of the build kit as you can. Brakes mainly. The rest you will already have and can move from the cross bike. Racing road on a road geometry frame is just different enough that if you think you really like road racing then you need to try it the right way.

Oh, and have fun. That's what all this crap is ultimately about.

ILUVUK

a buddy of mine does road races on a carbon cross frame with canti brakes. he has a cervelo soloist aluminum road bike, but prefers his cross frame. you'll be fine on your cross bike.

calgarc

I am not rich by any means. hell i am a musician, and you can imagine what kind of money i make haha... but i live simply and i am willing to give up on certian things, because owning/riding a road bike is just too much fun

I would go with 2. keep the frame, keep the bike use it as a touring/commuting bike and comb kijiji/craigslist/ebay for deals and slowly build up a new bike if desired. buy a part here and there