Why I Love My Cross Bike

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07-27-10, 04:59 PM

#26

meanwhile

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Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSho

Well, these gravel roads were also pretty hilly. My experience is that smooth tires + loose gravel + uphill = rear tire spinning and not getting very far.

You're probably using too narrow a tyre at too low a pressure. Teeth don't help much on gravel - if they grab a few peices of loose gravel they tend to make it slide over the layer beneath. The key to traction for climbing is having a wide soft contact patch that grips a good area of stones.

(If you work out what the key to traction for cornering on loose gravel is, then please let me know!)

07-28-10, 01:06 AM

#27

sd_mike

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Quote:

Originally Posted by megarot

If I can interrupt the love, I just want to ask a general question.

Besides the tire size obviously being bigger and the frame accommodating a larger tire size, is there something about a cross bike frame, handling wise that is going to make a difference?
Perhaps this is more of a question for my LBS but since I'm reading the topic I'm curious.

Can a cross keep up with the road bikes just as easy if the tires are switched out?

The frame gives a more upright position than a road bike, gearing isn't at high in the front as a road bike, bottom bracket is a little higher for clearance, cantilever brakes in lieu of calipers for mud. I've ridden with 32's and 30's, haven't noticed a difference except on the dirt. I can keep up plenty with most on road bikes, I tend to ride faster than most, except the racer types. Nice part is you don't worry about it when the road gets rough, or just plain goes away - Roads? Where we are going we don't need... Roads.