UBUvelo

...so, if worse comes to worse, i'll be the silly guy there with my old trekenstein (removed the shocks, got a rigid) and use a friend's 1.5 hybrid tires that do have some bite to the tread, but not knobbies...no drop bars (yet)...just risers or flat bar choices for now.

BUT, i want to do this right. i figure the older road bike with good clearance and get some cheapie knobbies (kendas) just to get started and get a feel for the 40 minutes of hellish fun. working on my stamina now. just finished a 50 mile ride (Escape New York) and doing good, brisk 30+ mile stints on the road along with some mountain biking throughout the month (the race is in early november).

i just bought a Giant Defy 3 road bike and do NOT want to use it...nor could i: there is no clearance for knobbies.

...so, should i make one of the following choices, what would be the smart one/least idiotic one : buy a cheapie, under $200 Denali (good frame and i won't care if i get mud on it...of course, change the tires) or the infamous BDirect windsor/motebecane choices ( multi-speeds or SS...)....OR, see if i get lucky and find an old Schwinn Varisty or whatever road bike on craigslist philly or a garage sale.

i do want to join the fun. if it leads to more, sure, i'll amp up the gear. but for now, economics and time are my major competitors.

i really don't know if i want to do the BD thing...

bluenote157

why not keep chugging on your trek.. then if you absolutely love it, get yourself something from bd.

I can see the craig's project adding up. For instance, you'll buy some new brake pads, tires, tubes, realize you need more clearance and need to buy a 700c wheelset, the wheelset will only accomodate a cassette..then you'll have to go to 8/9/10 speed, buy a new chain, you'll want to get a barend shifter and realize that it might now work with your schwinn's drop bars(if it is an old steel bar), want an sti, etc..

UBUvelo

thanks for the info and advice.

well, let me find a pic of the trek in one of it's older manifestations...ok, here's one:



that was before i ran into a large rock and bent the fork...

i'd change the wheels....and ...handlebars? or do you see flat bars at all in CX?

how many folks just use SSpeed? i like the simplicity of it...but i like my 24 speeds on that trek, too.

here's the trek with bent fork detail shot:



i just bent it back...need to ask my father-in-law (an engineer) how much molecular integrity of the steel has been compromised past what is 'safe'...

UBUvelo

i don't know, just can't do it...even with the bike above altered accordingly....gotta have a least something that is designed for CX....

anyone doing CX on a MTB? on a SS? w/o dropbars? just curious.

i know UCI doesn't allow for certain things at the more competitive/$ levels

Andy_K 

A lot of people around here do CX on mountain bikes -- front suspension, wide tires, you name it. I think I even saw a couple in the B race today. Just get out there and race.

Crack Monkey

Beer and waffles for after - cost less than a new bike.

I ride a SS "cross" bike - Bianchi San Jose. There are usually a few mtn bikes and/or flat-bar bikes racing. Winner of today's 35+ race was on a flat-bar somethingoranther - looked like a Raleigh cross frame with a mtn bar.

UBUvelo

ok, sounds like it's even more relaxed than i thought...i'll just go with what i got unless something falls in my lap before the race. loving my Giant Defy, so i have my eye on the new 2010 TCX 2...maybe by next season when it is on sale, might be the first serious one to nab.

i know CX is fun but can be serious, i do appreciate the more relaxed responses compared to what i've seen on other subforums...

thanks

Rumpled

Just ride your MTB until you decide how in you are.
Saw a number of MTB's at today's race, including a few high placers.

UBUvelo

yep, this is all encouraging enough to get a taste with the spoon/fork/spork i've been given...

i might jump on those drop-bar ends from origin 8 https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle.../dp/B0013G6PB8

think my bent fork now bent back will take one final ounce of abuse?

wanders

I like the idea of a rigid fork on your MTB. I wish I would have had that option available. I'm now putting cross tires on a commuter/touring bike to see if that helps. I'm sure I'll end up with a dedicated cros bike before all is said and done.

UBUvelo

yes, the rigid made it so much more responsive (of course) and when i briefly had a friend's hybrid 1.5 upfront, it was nimble and able to handle alot of challenging terrain (cx and beyond) as it was...and being an aluminum frame, it was easy to hop off and carry over obstacles (alot on some trails in the Woodlawn area, northern DE).

benda18

ride your trek and just have fun. i got dropped by a guy sunday on a full suspension MTB.

isotopesope

you must do a lot of bar spins with those suuuuper long cables.

bending steel back and forth will work harden it and making it brittle. i wouldn't ride a fork that's been bent back and forth so drastically. sounds like a great way to activate your dental plan.

UBUvelo

ok, i just need to trash the fork...if i don't get another $80 wonder fork, i'll just stick my other trek with crap rst shock...and just have fun (unless my wife lets me get the Giant tcx 2 i have my eye on....)

NormanF

A Bianchi San Jose sounds like its right up your alley. Only one speed but its a great beater CX bike. You can't go wrong with it!

UBUvelo

yeah, SSpeed is very inviting...and so is beater (what my two other bikes are). will check it out...

what about the suspectDIY bikes from BD...?