Originally Posted by
frost_okc
I'm new to the forum and wanted to see if anyone has had luck putting a 32mm tire on the stock Mavic wheels on a r900? The Kenda Kwik Trax are supposed to be a good commuting tire and I need something like that for urban offroading. Would moving to cantilever brakes be necessary to get the clearance on this model? Is there a better way of going about building a poor man's cyclocross/super commuter?
Yes, buy a Nashbar cyclocross frame for about $100 (haven't checked lately, but used to be available on sale for that price sometimes) and an inexpensive fork. Transfer all parts from your Cannondale to that bike. The only thing you'll have to buy is some cantilever or V brakes for the new frame, and if V brakes, a set of travel agent adapters so they work properly with your STI levers. Maybe $200 in parts, not including fenders or a rack if you decide to go with those things too.