jeremyb

So i started this project on my website, to build up a cyclocross bike from the ground up for less than $100. I got a Schwinn CrissCross 1991 bike at a bike auction for $69. It had 700c wheels on it and 700x35c tires as well. Also it had front and rear cantis---which was awesome.

I have stripped the bike down and just finished painting it.

below are some pics, go to my website Plus One Lap for the story.

jeremy

spunkyruss

That's a great project. Too much of the cycling world appears to have lost touch with stuff like this.

I'm actively seeking a candidate for a similar transformation.

cyclotoine

I would post a pic of my convert as well but don't have access to a digital camera at the moment. Mine is a 1984 tourer with cantis though. I think it will be sick. What kind of wheel do you intend to use? The originals? are they freehub or freewheel?

jeremyb

thanks guys,

yeah i have to use the original wheels to keep the price under $100. (its a little misleading cause im trading some of my old parts for stuff i need) and i have some stuff laying around that i wasnt using.

They are Araya aluminum rims laced to joytech hubs---freewheel. I'm just going to run it 1x7 speed i think.

I still need a 7/8 speed barcon shifter, if anyone has one laying around---interested in a trade or a donation?

im going to let the paint harden a little before i start tossing the old parts back on her. its not going to be light thats for sure.

jeremy

jpearl

So does this mean that you'll be adding a gallery of bikes that weigh over 18lbs to your blog?

Good luck with the build. It reminds me of my very financially-challenged high school years when I worked att bike shops to afford my cycling addiction and built up "psuedo-cross" bikes any chance I had. My favorite piece of surgery was "crossing-up" my first-ever road bike, a $90 Kent from Toys 'r' Us. I stripped it down to it's bare essentials, added toe-clips and straps to the pedals, then modified them with bolts coming out the back of the pedals for easy remounting, I tricked I learned from reading about the bikes of Paul Curly. This was back in the late 80's, before SPD pedals and dime-a-dozen Konas and Surlys. I never got my much wished for Alan aluminum cyclocross bike, with plastic-shell saddle, but my Cannondale Cyclocross does bring up nice memories.

Can't wait to see the finished build.

jeremyb

cool story jpearl.

id like to have another cyclocross bike gallery but i think there are laready a lot of forums that have a bike gallery page, and i'd want mine to be different someway.

I've thought of having a custom cyclocross gallery---for the custom bikes that are made--Sycip, steelman, rock lobster etc.

Dont know if there would be a good response to that though....what do you think?

guess i could put a poll on the website.

jeremy

jpearl

Sounds like a good idea, even if custom 'cross bikes might not be too common. I remember seeing one of the custom Vanilla cyclocross bikes reviewed on cyclingnews.com. It was a 19lb steel bike, custom made, and downright beautiful. I don't know if you'll get a lot of responses, but any responses you'll get will be really cool to see. After all, not too many people have sub-18lb (or even sub-14lb, but one guy did it), but the few who do have given us some damn cool bikes to drool over.

HandsomeRyan

Sorry to drag up an old thread but I'm going to look at a Crisscross in what appears to be cherry condition for $50 on saturday. If the bike is a good fit; I hope to make an entry-level cross bike out of it. I was wondering how the bike has done so far? Having ridden it for a few seasons, would you recomend it as a starting point for a CX bike?

Thanks.

TimJ

I'm not him but the criss cross was lugged cromoly and should make a good, if heavy, cx bike. I'd buy a $50 criss cross in a heartbeat. Lugged chromo w/ cantis = worth more than $50.

rodri9o

always good to see someone putting the life back into a nice useable frame.
good work man...moar pics!

mrtornadohead

This is what I end up doing all the time - finding some old thing and reworking it. Currently it's a Schwinn Traveler from early '90's that I had sandblasted and repainted, but the clearance is soooo tight that I can just squeeze 32 Campos or a 28 Kenda Kwest. No mud clearance so... off to another frame.

Defintiely looking forward to seeing more of your project, jeremyb. Ultra-cheap build ups are just my speed.

TimJ

This thread is over a year old, dudes.

You may look forward to my fabulous conversion, though. I'm turning a trek 700 into a cx bike as we speak.

Cynikal 

I'm building a bridgestone 400 as a SS CX currently. Originally built for 27's there is plenty of room for 32's with center pull brakes. I'll post something when she is built up.

plodderslusk

This weird old contraption set me back a wee bit over a 100 dollars. Ancient Mtb-frame with HP Biopace, I am going to put brake handles on top of the bars as well. Fast and fun.

mrtornadohead

This is exactly what I do. Had a Miyata 110 that had lots of clearance, worked great! Early 90's Traveler worked almost. Clearance is really REALLY tight with 32c Campos, so no mud clearance. Going to try a Huffy Concours (as far as I've seen it was made by Motobecane). It's not too heavy, so what the heck?

Tried the "monster cross" build with a full rigid Specialized HardRock but it just did not fit me right. I was never quite happy with that. So that may end up a single speeder.

cs1

Monster Cross bikes usually have 700C wheels. How did you get a set to fit a Hardrock? I'm asking because I have a nice hardrock sitting in the garage.

d2create

Do you have to wear your cycling shorts backwards to ride a criss cross?

ranggapanji

I've post this before, once.
I converted an old MTB frame (yes, the one with 26" wheels) into a cyclocross bike. Major works are repositioning brake pivots, due to different wheel diameter.
So here's the result:

If you would like to see the original form, I also have the exact same frame in its MTB build:

More pictures here. It's in Indonesian, but at least you'll comprehend the pictures and the specification list.

TimJ

I never posted pics of my conversion!








The bike is sold now. All the good parts were transferred to a motobecane frame I got. I built it up as a ss w/ flat bars and sold it a few weeks ago. It was a really sweet ride while it lasted though. If I had the need and room I would have kept it around.

j. hughes

I'm doing this with a 1984 Trek 520. I think with it's sport touring geometry, cantis, and 700c wheels, it will make a good one.

mrtornadohead

As for My Specialized Hard Rock, I left the wheels as 26" and I guess I didn't read the rules for "Monster Cross". I ran 26 x 1.8" Bontrager something or anothers -- not a real aggressive tread so it worked well for it's purpose. If I would have went with a longer stem and wider bars it might have been fine, but it's a single speed mtb now. Besides, I think the derailer hanger is bent, never shifted quite right.

mrtornadohead

Next cross-ish build was a Bianchi Advantage, early '90's model. Wife found it at a yard sale for like $2 US. Steel frame with canti brakes, derailers, stem. It was thier "hybrid/comfort" bike model at the time... works great. Not the lightest, but not bad, really. Full info here:
https://www.cyclofiend.com/cx/2008/cx...imple0808.html

I think total I have about $85 US invested in this. Since I built that, I am swapping out the bars (just can't really take to the Titec Malones) and adjusted the straddle cables down some for more positive braking. Rides great and I don't sweat it if it gets beat up.

oldiebikes

I found an older Schwinn Criss Cross as well. It makes a nice hybrid road bike. I switched out tires to 700x23c's and it rolls easy & smooth on original rims.

oldiebikes

You can find some great deals at garage sales. This one was missing a brake lever...and I had a few spare parts that made the bike complete. Dropped the tire size to 700x23c(again, from my parts collection) and it was ready to ride!