In general, should I look for a cyclocross frame similar on size/dimension to my road bike? Thanks
Generally, CX sizing equates to one size *smaller *than your road bike. But, you should do accurate comparisons to be sure - top tube, seat tube, etc.
Thanks. That was exactly the “rule of thumb” sort of information I was looking for.
Be careful, its really depends on the bike.
The one size down rule used to be pretty universally true, however in the last couple years bike manufacturers have been making their high end cross bikes with a race geometry similar to their road offerings.
A 58 cm Specialized CruX has the same stack and less reach than a 58 cm Venge. I would not size down for a CruX
A Cannondale SuperX has 30mm more stack and 8mm more reach than a SuperSix Evo. I would have to size down on a SuperX to get my position low enough.
It depends, are you racing cx? Or just using it as a training and/or commuter bike?
Generally cyclocross “fit” should be almost the same as your road bike.
Frame size is irrelevant… look at the stack and reach charts. I ride a size “M” in my road frame and a 50cm Ridley.
The only difference in fit between my two setups is that the handlebars are 2cm higher on my cx bike.
My saddle height is a bit higher as well due to MTB pedal/cleat system.
I might shorten my reach slightly this season to see how that feels…
This is a good article:
http://www.cycle-smart.com/articles/secret-set-part-1-dialing-your-cyclo-cross-bike
Do the Stack and Reach thing starting with your road fit.
My CX bike dimensions are so darn close to my road position.
Depends on the bike / brands.
I ride the same size frame
My road bike is a CADD9 (58cm). Looking to get a Blue Norcross SP. need to figure out whether I need a ML or L frame. Haven’t dug up the stack/reach info on these yet. Thanks
Well, I ride a 52cm Ridley cross bike and a 54 road bike. At face value, the 54cm Ridley had a comparable top tube / seat tube length. HOWEVER, the one thing that I didn’t appreciate was that Ridley designs their cross bikes with a much higher BB height, and therefore, the stand over height is much higher than what you would expect from a road bike. For me, the lack clearance was bad enough that it didn’t ‘feel right’.
I went with a 52cm. Not a big issue to achieve the fit I wanted and I don’t think that I had to go to any excessive lengths to make it work.
-Put on a stem (110mm) that would correct for the shorter top tube length.
-Swapped out a zero setback seat post for a -1cm setback and I have a little more seat post showing.
YMMV
+1 for depends. If you are using it for cyclocross racing mainly and are serious, your position should probably be rotated forward about the BB (with the same effective leg extension). Adam Myerson has a good article: http://www.cycle-smart.com/articles/secret-set-part-1-dialing-your-cyclo-cross-bike
I use mine mainly for commuting and gravel road riding with the occasional cyclocross race (for fun). So, my position is as close to my road position as I can get it.
Rule of thumb: most people look for a bike that is 1-2cm shorter in effective top tube than their road bike.
My CX bike dimensions are so darn close to my road position.+1 That’s me too. I spend LOTS of time riding and I want things to be as similar as possible between bikes.I may be a bit higher in the bars, but it isn’t much.
AFA the OP: stick to the same size TT as your road bike despite what the manufacturer call their cross frame sizes. I’ve BTDT on the ‘go one size shorter’ and had to sell a very nice TET cross frame 'cause it just wouldn’t work.
M
My CX bike dimensions are so darn close to my road position.+1 That’s me too. I spend LOTS of time riding and I want things to be as similar as possible between bikes.I may be a bit higher in the bars, but it isn’t much.
AFA the OP: stick to the same size TT as your road bike despite what the manufacturer call their cross frame sizes. I’ve BTDT on the ‘go one size shorter’ and had to sell a very nice TET cross frame 'cause it just wouldn’t work.
M
Same here. I ride a 54cm road bike and a 54cm cross bike, both with short (80mm?) stems. It should be noted that these are made by the same company, so the geometry is pretty close. My SS setup is one size down, but that wasn’t a conscious choice (I had a 52cm bike sitting around begging to be a SS cx bike). I have noticed that the smaller size helps me stay centered over the frame during standing climbs, but it’s still not worth the relative discomfort of the shorter reach.
Interesting point: my handlebars are lower on my CX bike than on my road bike! I went this route because I’m a bit of a short rider and the low bars have improved my dismounting and remounting steadiness and also given me some great stability returns in crap conditions.
Buy the one that fits, dont buy by brand. so many size down, which is wrong and end up with a pointed up stem and crappy position. your fit should be the same as your road bike.
This has already been posted, but is correct http://www.cycle-smart.com/articles/secret-set-part-1-dialing-your-cyclo-cross-bike
I ride a 54 crux and a 54 caad10, fit is similar on both…for me
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Thanks. I am planning on getting one close to my road bike geometry.
Thanks. I am planning on getting one close to my road bike geometry.
That’s a good plan, raise the stem a little higher and run the brake hoods up a little taller. This “size down” advice is kind of old school. Courses are much more open and people ride a fit very close to ther road bike, just a little taller.
But that said, look at top tube rather than “size”. I ride a 60 road bike with a 58.5 top tube and a 57 Felt cross bike with the same top tube length. Be aware that for shorter or taller people some brands won’t work, for me I am at the spot where sizes take a 2cm jump or many of the euro frames are just too small, as they may only have 4-5 different sizes. The internet makes it easy to figure this crap out.
I personally favor a cross bike with a lower bottom bracket, i.e. a larger “drop” number. I think it makes it handle better. Some brands like Ridley are very tall with a high BB and people like them also, so it’s sort of a personal preference.