I was reading the Bikesport web article on 'cross and was thinking it might be kinda cool to get a cyclocross bike. I fit some one of the descriptions that Tom D. gave about the sort of person that gets into 'cross. I bike communte and am currently using my mountain bike on the road, etc. I was wondering if any of you out there have a good recommendation for a cyclocross bike. Things to look out for? Manufacturers? I would like to spend no more than about $1500 for a complete bike, less if possible. Also, if any of you in the Bay Area/Sacramento know a good bike shop that takes care of cyclocross riders etc please recommend. Thanks in advance.
My wife has a Bianchi Axis Cross bike and loves it. I ride it on ocassion just for a change as we are similar in height. The country roads around our house and the oversize tires make them feel smooth. The bike is a bit heavy at 23 #'s but I’m guessing most entry level cross bike are. It’s also great for the occasional trail or walking path ride. I think it’s about 1300.00 retail.
Although I’m a self professed gear head, I would recommend doing your first few races on your mountain bike. (remove the bar ends and bottle cages and put on the skinniest tires you have) It will give you a chance to check out some of the equipment at the races, see what set ups look good to you, and also give you an idea for what level of equipment you need. Everything shifts like crap when it’s muddy, so don’t break the bank on parts. I destroyed a DuraAce shifter at Nationals this year (flush $200 right there). Replaced with an Ultegra. The fastest guy on our team has a mix of Ult and 105. Oh, but good wheels. You’ll have no problems setting up a great bike in your price range. Off the shelf the Kona Jake the Snake or the Redline bikes are great. Once you get an idea of what you want, there’s a ton of stuff on ebay during the season. Full bikes in the $600-800 range. Frames for $300-500. Keep your eye on the NCNCA website for the schedule. One of the guys on my team manages the cyclocross page and will be posting the 2004 race schedule as it gets closer. Our team also does a series of clinics in Golden Gate Park during September. Mounts, dismounts, barriers, the works. Oh, don’t let the motly crew fool you. The ugly bike and hairy legs are just a ruse. It’s the opposite of posuer. Give it a whirl, you’ll love it!
Bike shops: Bike Oddyssy in Sausalito, Mill Valley Cycleworks, or Big Swinging Cycles in SF.
You are about to enter the most fun you’ve had on (and off and back on) two wheels!
hey i have an old kona road bike which i now use just to commute - i dont even think they make road bikes anymore - but can i just switch out tires and brakes to get me a cylcocross bike, or is the frame just too fragile or are there other key differences between road and cross?
Thanks for the info cmetri. I will keep all that in mind. Sounds like a blast. Makes you look forward to winter (if that’s what you can call it here in CA).
Tom D. any wise/sagely advice for a cyclocross neophyte? Things to keep in mind when setting up a bike? Thanks again.
you can get 28mm knobbly tires that may fit in the caliper brakes. but road frames are generally not built with clearance for large knobbly tires, and they aren’t built with cantilever posts. caliper brakes won’t have enough stopping power (and they will jam up with mud if the course is muddy). in other words, you can’t mount the cantilever brakes (without getting them welded to frame & fork). a couple of guys did take road bikes with thin knobblies to some of the local cross races, though.
CX bikes are also built with higher bottom brackets (same reason as MTBs), and touring-ish geometry. the tubing is generally stouter than road bike tubing. they need to be shouldered, so they are rarely built in a fully compact setup (although Redline, Kona, Airborne, and a few other manufacturers use slightly sloping TTs).
I bought a Kona Jake last winter as a bike to ride when it was really crappy outside. It isn’t all that light but it is bomb-proof and great fun. It was well under $1000, brand new, which leaves plenty of $$ to upgrade or spend elsewhere.
I’d stick with a 'cross frame, but run an XT (or some other such mtn bike) derailleur on it. Most 'cross racers have switched from bar-end shifters to STI/Ergo, which works well.
I’m a fan of the Surly line, and their “Cross Check” frame/fork sells for under $400 most places. Built up with an Ultegra 'cross kit, you’re easily under $1500 (though I’d call and swap out the Ultegra rear derailleur for XT). Hell, Harris Cyclery sells one complete for $908! (though you’ll probably want to swap some components and make some upgrades)
I really love my Jake the Snake (Kona). I bet you will find that any of the entry level cyclocross bikes suits you. Look for Kona, Redline, Bianchi, Jamis (perhaps a more all around bike than pure racer), etc. I am certain that whtever you get you will like it and will love racing if you give it a try.
Check out the cyclocross discussions on Roabikereview.com for more info about particular bikes.
Kona Jake. Got mine last December for < $1000 CDN. Rode it through the winter and still do a couple rides a week on it when I want to avoid traffic on the roads.
I’ve a Kenisis Cross light 2 which is a great bike. I have it with a Campag Centaur 10 speed groupo, and frog legs brakes with an Alien carbon post to help with the bmping!
I have used it in a number of off road duathlons with great effect much to the annonyance of those on heavt mtbs! Go cross and enjoy the speed.