tkm

I need a dedicated bike to ride with the family on bike trails, ride around the neighborhood, pull a kid's trailer, etc. I went to look at hybrid bikes and was appauled at what they were offering for the money. I truly don't want to spend $1000 for a hybrid with a crappy triple front crankset and deore level rear derailleur.

Anyways, I know my Gary Fisher CX bike would fit the bill, but that's staying as-is.

I was thinking of buying a CX frame and building it up with my spare parts, only using a flat bar with V-brakes instead of the drop bars (which I really won't need). My question...a standard modern CX frame *will* work with flatbars and V-brakes, correct? If memory serves correct, the attachment positions on the front fork are the same for cantis as they are for V-brakes, right?

Then I can run mountain 9-speed components that I have (x.7 shifters and f/r derailleurs with a montain cassette).

Am I missing anything? Any reason why this would not work? I'm always afraid when I start a project like this that I'm missing a reason why something wouldn't work properly.

Thanks.

kevrider

brakes: yes, i converted both of my old canti-braked 90s mtn bikes to v-brakes.

just check the rear hub spacing, 135mm for mtn bikes and probably the same for cx bikes (it is for mine). just to make sure you have/buy the proper hubs/wheelset.

GrayJay

Just watch that brake levers are designed specifically for cantis or for V-brakes, not interchangeable as the pull ratio of the levers is matched to the brake caliper type.

Flat-bar ride position might be better if you just start with a MTB and add smooth tires.

tkm

My Gary Fisher uses normal 700c road wheels and a 105 rear cassette, so I assumed that all CX frames were the same as road frames.

Right. Would go with mountain brake levers so that I could use the V-brakes. Other than CX applications, I don't like cantis anyways.

I thought about basing off of a mountain bike, but I don't want front suspension and I don't want to run 26" wheels/tires. So, I'd need a 29er to run 700c tires and a frame with a non-suspension fork is next to impossible to find.

I don't mind the slightly more aggressive CX frame fitment. I can always adjust with stem/bar height and seatpost.

kevrider

mine has a roadie rim and cassette, but the hub is a 135 instead of 130. maybe that varies by mfg, but it's worth a minute with a tape measure.

fotooutdoors

FYI, if you prefer to go the 29er route, both Salsa and Surly have a suspension-corrected (for 80-100mm travel, I believe) steel fork. 9er has a carbon fork if you want something lighter and more expensive. I believe the Salsa and 9er forks are disc only, but the Karate Monkey (Surly) fork takes both disc and canti/linear pull brakes.

Commodus

Yeah there are several cheap 29er mountain frames kicking around the internet. Maybe makes more sense.

Tho a CX bike will work too.

fietsbob

Once you own it change the drop bars to whatever you want ,
Bikes with 105 + groups push the bike price up to 1K + ..
that is just how it is these days.

tkm

Yeah, I dunno. I'm still looking for the right frame to find its way to me. Almost tempted to buy something like the cheapo Motobecane 'cross frame and do with it as I want. Basically, I want something to clean up my parts bin and I wanted more of a road-style hybrid than a mountain hybrid.

puckett129

That's exactly what I did except I bought the bike complete and changed it later. I wanted a more relaxed position and found that I am mostly riding rail trails with my wife. Swapped out the drops for a flat bar, got Shimano 660 flat bar road shifters to go with my 105 RD and Tiagra FD, and it works great. Now it is essentially a hybrid with road components and I love it.

fietsbob

TRek PDX is a decent bike Out of the box, flat bars , 700-32 tire type.
not fancy components, but that is what pushes the price point up past $999.99
you can 'upgrade' as stuff wears out.

LBS visit, see what they have.. you should test ride them
judging for for slow speed handling ,
since towing the kids and riding with them will be just that pace.

so a race cross type may be unsuitable.
and bare frames cannot be test ridden.

trustnoone

Bah. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Upgrade.