Steel CX bike - too heavy for racing?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Steel CX bike - too heavy for racing?
Hi -
I am considering getting an All-City Macho Man or Surly Crosscheck frame, and swapping over my components. The reason is that my current AL CX frame is 6 years old, and ridden hard- so I'm concerned about frame failure, as well as I miss the feel of a Steel bike.
My question is - any racers out there on Steel? My current bike is just over 20lbs with a carbon fork (that I would switch over). I estimate that the Steel bike in my size, with my current components, would probably run 23.5lbs or so. Not a big deal - but I've read reviews on both the Macho Man and Crosscheck, where people say they feel those extra pounds after a few laps.
Any thoughts? If you have a steel CX bike - how does it do on road/group rides too (I use my CX bike for everything).
Thanks all.
I am considering getting an All-City Macho Man or Surly Crosscheck frame, and swapping over my components. The reason is that my current AL CX frame is 6 years old, and ridden hard- so I'm concerned about frame failure, as well as I miss the feel of a Steel bike.
My question is - any racers out there on Steel? My current bike is just over 20lbs with a carbon fork (that I would switch over). I estimate that the Steel bike in my size, with my current components, would probably run 23.5lbs or so. Not a big deal - but I've read reviews on both the Macho Man and Crosscheck, where people say they feel those extra pounds after a few laps.
Any thoughts? If you have a steel CX bike - how does it do on road/group rides too (I use my CX bike for everything).
Thanks all.
#2
Banned
if you are willing to pay more than Taiwan factory import prices, you can get a lighter steel frame.
But the mass produced stuff tries to please more types of users, costs less by lower labor-overhead,
and leave a safety margin, by using a bit heavier material .
But be assured they raced steel frame cyclocross bikes in the past ..
and rode regular pedals you had to flip over to put your feet in the toe clips each time.
But the mass produced stuff tries to please more types of users, costs less by lower labor-overhead,
and leave a safety margin, by using a bit heavier material .
But be assured they raced steel frame cyclocross bikes in the past ..
and rode regular pedals you had to flip over to put your feet in the toe clips each time.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-05-13 at 10:08 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Yeah, you'll probably feel those extra pounds, but the extra weight will make you stronger over time. Plus, CX racing is all about suffering so the extra weight is really a bonus.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 972
Bikes: Cannondale Slate 105 and T2 tandem, 2008 Scott Addict R4, Raleigh SC drop bar tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I am building up a steel framed cross bike. I have a 23.5lb (heavy wheels), aluminum framed cross bike now and it has a frame warranty
I put it through it's paces last weekend and it was great. I plan to campaign both bikes and choose which to ride depending on the course and conditions. I know the extra weight might put off some folks but I would rather finish tired on an overbuilt bike than to worry about denting or breaking my frame from a silly fall. I am not going to be needing the lightest bike anyway as my technique sucks so bad.
I put it through it's paces last weekend and it was great. I plan to campaign both bikes and choose which to ride depending on the course and conditions. I know the extra weight might put off some folks but I would rather finish tired on an overbuilt bike than to worry about denting or breaking my frame from a silly fall. I am not going to be needing the lightest bike anyway as my technique sucks so bad.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 1,258
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I ran my 23lb steel singlespeed at my last race and on my (long) list of "excuses for being slow", the frame weight is no where near the top.
#7
or tarckeemoon, depending
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: the pesto of cities
Posts: 7,017
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Why not race the current frame until it actually does break?
Anyway, I race two steel bikes and would not hesitate to go steel again, though I am thinking about a "cheap" built to spec ti SS rig next.
Anyway, I race two steel bikes and would not hesitate to go steel again, though I am thinking about a "cheap" built to spec ti SS rig next.
#8
Senior Member
I don't "race", or haven't yet, and just finished building up this steel frame Kona to be a CX bike. It weighs 22.9 lbs as you see it which is 5 lbs heavier than my road bike. The extra weight is spread pretty evenly through the various components, ie wheels/tires, fork and disc brakes, and I suppose a few grams in the frame.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 180
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My race bike is a Curtlo. OX Platinum tubes with a steel fork.
Campy Centaur 10 speed kit with an FSA crank.
Campy hubs with GL 330 rims and 30mm Tubulars.
the bike is 19.5 LBS ready to go.
Campy Centaur 10 speed kit with an FSA crank.
Campy hubs with GL 330 rims and 30mm Tubulars.
the bike is 19.5 LBS ready to go.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
On One Pompino SSCX. Weighs 18lbs. But then I don't have any heavy derailleurs to slow me down.
#11
Team Beer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 6,339
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 159 Times
in
104 Posts
As the others have said, steel can be pretty light. My Lemond Poprad ( 55cm OX Plat) with race tubies comes in at 19lbs. Just fro a point of reference, I had a Cannondale CX-9 before and it weighed in at a bit under 18 lbs. My Poprad fits me better (the CX-9 was always a little too small) and I'm faster on the Poprad. Weight isn't everything, fit is more important than you think it is.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 420
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Its 2lbs lighter than mine! FWIW Mine is a medium, Thomson post/Zoncolon saddle. Front 32h GP4/record Challenge Fango. Rear GP4/Nashbar hub Challenge grifo/18t freewheel. Tektro 720 front/IRD Cafam rear Tektro levers. Ritchey stem/Salsa cowbell 3 bars. Fork is Tange steel and crankset is Tiagra with Ultegra BB and a 39t ring/BBG bashguard.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Specs on the Pompino?
Its 2lbs lighter than mine! FWIW Mine is a medium, Thomson post/Zoncolon saddle. Front 32h GP4/record Challenge Fango. Rear GP4/Nashbar hub Challenge grifo/18t freewheel. Tektro 720 front/IRD Cafam rear Tektro levers. Ritchey stem/Salsa cowbell 3 bars. Fork is Tange steel and crankset is Tiagra with Ultegra BB and a 39t ring/BBG bashguard.
Its 2lbs lighter than mine! FWIW Mine is a medium, Thomson post/Zoncolon saddle. Front 32h GP4/record Challenge Fango. Rear GP4/Nashbar hub Challenge grifo/18t freewheel. Tektro 720 front/IRD Cafam rear Tektro levers. Ritchey stem/Salsa cowbell 3 bars. Fork is Tange steel and crankset is Tiagra with Ultegra BB and a 39t ring/BBG bashguard.
#17
Team Beer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 6,339
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 159 Times
in
104 Posts
Hey Scrub, I have a very light carbon fork (Easton EC90x) in my parts bin. PM me if you want more info.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#18
Senior Member
I've been racing a Cross-Check. It's about 22 or 23 lbs. I notice the weight most when shouldering the bike - it digs in pretty badly. When actually riding, you don't really notice. But there's no doubt that a lighter bike is a faster bike, all other things being equal. It should be a given that fit and function are more important than weight, but losing five pounds with a lighter frame and fork wouldn't hurt durability any. Frames and forks break very rarely, it's the derailleurs and chains and wheels and shifters that any frame is burdened with that tend to fail.
#19
Senior Member
Anymore, I think you really need to do something harsh to break some of these framesets. Frameset failure isn't a concern I would have had, but at the same token. I have seen my fair share of carbon fork failures and you mention just swinging your fork over to a new frameset. Is it also 6 years old? But I raced steel cross for years and my rigs were a tad under 25 pounds, they were all cross Bianchi builds. When lifting over long periods of obstacles, you notice but the feel and ride made up for that. I didn't go for gold but I ended up with plenty bronze finishes and had more fun than I ever thought possible.
#20
Senior Member
I should mention. I used the grotesquely (and dangerous) FrankenStem on my cross rides. All aluminum flexstems, no failures with the alums.
#21
Banned
Might be keeping you off the top spot on the Podium if you would otherwise be dominating the race ,
but for that last few ounces of bike weight,
But it will not keep you from going around the course, with your new friends,
and having, perhaps, Fun doing it..
but for that last few ounces of bike weight,
But it will not keep you from going around the course, with your new friends,
and having, perhaps, Fun doing it..
#22
Senior Member
Cyclist in my area are rare as hen's teeth! If i want to find riders to do group rides and hang out with at all. I probablly would have to travel about one hour. But, when i raced. It was always considered close to attend races that were 3 hours or more away from our area. There are not many who are vintage minded as well! Slim pickings around here. But now that i have my wife on a tour type bike. I have the best partner of all!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aquateen
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
53
04-04-16 06:23 PM
Erik_A
Cyclocross and Gravelbiking (Recreational)
39
08-15-12 03:13 PM