Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
Reload this Page >

Is a cyclocross bike good for a city rider?

Notices
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational) This has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like : "Unbound Gravel". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

Is a cyclocross bike good for a city rider?

Old 08-16-05, 11:04 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Is a cyclocross bike good for a city rider?

I was thinking of getting a cyclocross bike- I live in NYC and want a bike that will go relatively fast and is relatively light but am worried about buying a road bike due to the vast amount of potholes and curbs. I currently have a mountain bike and have heard of hybrid bikes but they just look too damn wimpy for my tastes. I read in these very forums that high pressure tires would work best rather than knobby ones in terms of avoiding blowouts in pothole conditions- also that thicker tires would also help. SO, if I just got a regular road bike and had some thicker, higher-pressure tires put on, would I be able to ride that around and not have to worry about my tires popping every day due to landing in a pothole? Or should I get a cyclocross bike for ground clearance reasons and get thicker tires on that? I am thinking in the back of my mind that I may want to get into racing a year or two down the road. If I buy a cyclocross bike, will the frame put me at that big of a disadvantage vs. road bikes in a road race? I would appreciate anyone's thoughts as I am about to lay out a pretty decent chunk of money and don't want to do the wrong thing! Also, if anyone knows of any good used bike store in NYC/surrounding areas, let me know that as well. Thanks!
bike_n_Ike is offline  
Old 08-17-05, 08:43 AM
  #2  
Rabbinic Authority
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Silver Spring, MD (MABRA/MAC)
Posts: 650

Bikes: Cannondale Cyclocross, Specialized Langster, Giant TCR-C2 Composite

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I hear ya!

I live in NYC and after giving it some thought, I settled on a CX bike. While I used to race road and mountain back when I was a Long Islander 12 years ago (I've only since returned to the sport two months ago), the CX bike made perfect sense for the riding I envisioned.

My main concern was the terrain of city streets and parks, and also the obstacles. I'm always hopping curbs, veering in and out of slow traffic, and going between dirt and broken asphalt in Riverside Park and Central Park. Also, my riding schedule is so erratic that I wanted a bike that I can tool around on and explore NYC with. If I got a road bike, I'd be tempted to train for racing and then get frustrated that I wouldn't have the time. In the back of my mind, though, I've always had an interest in CX, so the bike was also a present to myself.

I ride a Cannondale Cyclocross. I swapped out the stock tires for some 700x32cc treaded road tires (Specialized Infinity). They're mad heavy, but also very bombproof. I get all of my stuff from Toga on 64th and West End Avenue. Not many shops stock CX bikes so look around. Knowing the abuse CX bikes take, I'd stay away from used ones. Many people with the Cannondale Cyclocross also use it as a second road training bike while still racing CX with it, it's just a matter of wheel and tire choice.
jpearl is offline  
Old 08-17-05, 09:32 AM
  #3  
POWERCRANK addict
 
markhr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: North Acton, West London, UK
Posts: 3,783
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
it works really well in London too - go for a disc brake option especially if riding year round - better braking and no rim wear
__________________
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
markhr is offline  
Old 08-17-05, 12:31 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
brooklyn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 645
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by jpearl
I hear ya!

I live in NYC and after giving it some thought, I settled on a CX bike. While I used to race road and mountain back when I was a Long Islander 12 years ago (I've only since returned to the sport two months ago), the CX bike made perfect sense for the riding I envisioned.



I ride a Cannondale Cyclocross. I swapped out the stock tires for some 700x32cc treaded road tires (Specialized Infinity). They're mad heavy, but also very bombproof. I get all of my stuff from Toga on 64th and West End Avenue. Not many shops stock CX bikes so look around. Knowing the abuse CX bikes take, I'd stay away from used ones. Many people with the Cannondale Cyclocross also use it as a second road training bike while still racing CX with it, it's just a matter of wheel and tire choice.
did you get the cannondale cross with the disc brakes?
brooklyn is offline  
Old 08-17-05, 02:13 PM
  #5  
Rabbinic Authority
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Silver Spring, MD (MABRA/MAC)
Posts: 650

Bikes: Cannondale Cyclocross, Specialized Langster, Giant TCR-C2 Composite

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nah, I went with the cantilevers. The discs are not race-legal (UCI at least). Also, I'm too ol' skool to get into disk brakes. I know they stop well, but I'm not a big fan of having cables run all over my bike. Cantis are nice and simple, and stop well if you set 'em up right.
jpearl is offline  
Old 08-19-05, 02:27 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think CX is great for city/commuter riding. Like another poster, I often find myself switching from bumpy asphalt in rural Sonoma County CA and gravel fire roads and bike paths. On smooth flat pavement I find I avg ~18-20 mph during commute, which is a couple or 3 faster than I used to get on a stiffy mountain bike set up with slicks. Maybe not as fast as a racy road bike, but I don't race and prefer the extra comfort knowing I can hop curbs, don't worry about potholes, and get off pavement if I like.

Schwinn Crosscut built up by Egan in San Rafael sold to me at a swap meet in Marin. Can't beat the simplicity of the cantilever brakes (again, set-up right work wonders!) Triple chain ring in front which is a little different than "true" CX, but the granny gear is nice on these steep Marin/Sonoma/Mendocino County backroads.
crosscommuter is offline  
Old 08-19-05, 02:38 PM
  #7  
I Am Online Now!
 
G-Unit's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 350

Bikes: Bianchi Pista, LeMond Poprad, Specialized Allez

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a LeMond Poprad (live in NYC) and I put 25c tires on them. The extra set of brakes help out (but you can put those on a regular road bike)... the wheels are road bike wheels, though, so it's still no good going over potholes.

Currently I'm just riding my MTBs and can tear through any street in the city with no worries, still can't do that on my CX bike (I'm actually in need of a new rear wheel, but that was due to stupidity on my part, not because the wheel was crappy).
__________________
I rock peas on my head but don’t call me a pea head.
Bees on my head but don’t call me a bee head.
Bruce Lee’s on my head but don’t call me a Lee head.
Now please excuse me, I gots to get my tree fed.
G-Unit is offline  
Old 08-21-05, 09:33 AM
  #8  
Macaws Rock!
 
michaelnel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,513

Bikes: 2005 Soma Doublecross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I ride a SOMA Double Cross as my all-rounder/city bike/commuter, and find it perfect for the job. I am running 700x28 Panaracer Pasela TGs on Mavic T519/XT/DT db spokes, and it seems up to the job.
__________________
---

San Francisco, California
michaelnel is offline  
Old 08-21-05, 12:14 PM
  #9  
Made in Norway
 
Lectron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,676
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by michaelnel
I ride a SOMA Double Cross as my all-rounder/city bike/commuter, and find it perfect for the job. I am running 700x28 Panaracer Pasela TGs on Mavic T519/XT/DT db spokes, and it seems up to the job.
I have a few sets of T519(A719)/DT myselves. One of them ceramic. They're sure up to the job.
I can't think of much stronger wheels. The rim can be a bit wide for some canties though
Lectron is offline  
Old 08-22-05, 04:18 AM
  #10  
Macaws Rock!
 
michaelnel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,513

Bikes: 2005 Soma Doublecross

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Lectron
I have a few sets of T519(A719)/DT myselves. One of them ceramic. They're sure up to the job.
I can't think of much stronger wheels. The rim can be a bit wide for some canties though
I'm using the Shimano BR-R550 cantis, and they work fine with the T519.
__________________
---

San Francisco, California
michaelnel is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.