chris hansen

Hello,

What's the average weight of a cyclocross frame?

What's the average weight of a complete cyclocross bike in the $1000 price range?

The reason I ask is because I was reading some reviews on Surly's Cross Check. The people who ride them really seem to like them and the only negative thing that comes up consistantly is people think they're "a little heavy". I looked on Surly's web site and the Cross Check frame was listed at about 4.5 pounds (4.45 for the smallest and 4.88 for the biggest). Other companies I looked at don't list the weights but even if a frame weighs half as much that's still a difference of only a couple pounds, that seems trivial to me but I have low standards.

I'm just wondering what standards people are comparing stuff to and if a couple of pounds are really that important.

Thanks.

BlastRadius

My 49cm Bianchi Axis is approx. 20.5# and my 50cm Bianchi Strada is about 22.5#.

A lot of the weight is in the tires and tubes but Tufos can help. Many cross forks are steel or aluminum so weight can be saved by using a carbon fork.

RacerX

I think my Empella is around 18lbs. maybe 17 with my tubulars. I run single chainring/9speed Shimano

Surly's are heavy. I've ridden a couple and they are nice values. If the weight doesn't bother you I think you will be happy with it.

Limba

I have a scandium frame VooDoo it's supposed to be about 2.6 pounds.It's definately under 3 pounds.
It's a great bike but the frame alone would be $1000.
If you're planning on racing 'cross you don't want a heavy bike.

chris hansen

Thanks for the replys.

I'm not sure if I will actually race. I'm looking for a road/off-road/commuter and cyclocross bikes seem pretty versitile. Racing is something I just started to contemplate and I don't know yet how long the interest will last. Mostly I'd like something I can sit on for a long time and cover some distance in relative comfort.

Bike666

Cross bikes don't make the best commuters, just like track bikes don't work well as a everyday fixie bike. Their geos are for a particular purpose. Rivendell has a model called the Romulus that would be a good all-arounder. Cost $1500 for the complete bike.

Bike666

Rivendell has stopped making the Romulus - they say they have 70 complete bikes left.

Urbanmonk

Cannondale Cyclocross weighs in at under 21 lbs. As noted earlier, taking off the nobs, and replacing them with 28s or less will reduce that weight a little. I got this one on sale for $800.

Grampy™

My Airborne Carpe Diem weighs in at 20.5 with pedals. (Triple chainring)

SteelCommuter

Chris,

For your purposes, the Surly is an excellent choice. You could even set it up as a tourer. All the young mechanics I know love the bike, and it is perfect for touring. I would ignore the comment that cross bikes don't make good commuters; some cross bikes may not, but the ones I'm familiar with--the Surly and the Gunnar Crosscheck--are steel bikes with rack eyelets and plenty of clearance for fat tires and fenders. For $900, the Surly is a fantastic deal.

As far as the weight question, 24 pounds is fine for a commuter. If you're a weight weenie racer, or someone who has to have the most expensive materials, it would be heavy. If you're like me and you need a versatile bike that will last a long time, then it's absolutely OK. Some of that weight could be shed with some higher grade components, if you choose. But I occasionally commute on a much heavier bike than the Surly (30-32 pounds plus luggage) and I'm having fun. None of those lighter bikes (18-20 pound range), by the way, can be used for heavy-loaded touring.

One other thing: if you are thinking about doing a bunch of commuting and maybe touring, and you're not in a hurry to get the bike, you might wait a few weeks and get the Surly Long Haul Trucker, which will have more Rivendelll/touring-style geometry.

best!

chris hansen

I haven't heard of the "Long Haul Trucker". Where can I find out more?

Thanks.

SteelCommuter

You can download their catalog on the Surly website, it's the first bike described. It won't be available until March.

BTW, if you are pretty sure about doing cyclocross, you should consider the Crosscheck instead. You can take the Long Haul Trucker off-road, but it's not for racing.

tlippy

All I can tell you is there is a BIG BUNCH of difference in commuing on the two bikes I own--(see below) I have to peddle a mile of dirt road to get to the asphalt so I first bought the Schwinn. Peddled fine for three years because I didn't know the difference. Now I hate to even get the Schwinn out of the garage. Here's the real world difference: Four guys around my age ride together to town - 5 miles one way - to get a cup of coffee. On the Schwinn somebody was always on my tail - or passing. On the Fuji I'm leading the pack - and without exerting anymore effort---cadence around 80 c/m. I love the lighter weight !!!!!!!!!!!!

Diesel

My '02 Lemond Proprad weighs in about 23 pounds (59 cm). It has the chromolly fork that creates a large weight penalty, but I feel safe about taking harder hits when offroading.

velocipedio

i can't say for the frame, but my 52cm 2001 kona major jake, with campy centaur, open pro wheels, fizik saddle and winwood fork comes in at 20.5 pounds.