Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Given everyone's recommendations, I am ogling three bikes (my best estimate at specs on a 54 cm bike)
Redline Conquest Pro Carbon (BB drop 70mm, weight 1230 grams, SRAM Rival/Apex Groupo)
Specialized Crux Pro Carbon (BB drop 69mm, weight 1000 grams, SRAM Rival Groupo)
Cannondale SuperX Carbon Rival (BB drop 67 mm, weight 1400 grams, SRAM Rival groupo)
For brakes, what would be your ultimate recommendation for using on 2 sets of wheels:
Disc wheelsets for both road and cross riding
Just keep a good canti for both
Upgrade to a mini-v brake for both
Which would
a) take the least amount of dealing when changing wheelsets?
b) be the best compromise for mud clearing in cross races and feathering when drafting on a road and just generally being able to actually stop the bike (unlike my current cantis)?
Or, I wonder, if I could just swap tires, and cross race on a decent set of road rims (I weight 140 lbs)?
Again, thanks for everyone's input!
Cantilever brakes will require you to have two identical wheelsets if you want to change from Cyclocross to road tires in 10 minutes or less. If using identical hubs, and nearly identical cassettes, the rear derailleur should not need adjustment after changing wheels. If the rims are the same, the brakes should not need adjustment.
Disc Brakes still require identical hubs and nearly identical cassettes, but the rims do not need to match after changing wheels. The brakes will not need adjusting, assuming both wheels have the same disc. The rim design on a Disc brake bike can be specific to road or Cyclocross.
You could also just switch tires using one wheelset. 23mm wide rims, like the HED rims or the Velocity A23 can fit any tire from 23mm wide to 40mm wide.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.