Ok, I’ve been around here long enough to know that you only ride a bike that fits well, and I have 3 bikes that fit perfectly, but no cross bike. I wanna do a few cross races this fall, so my options are to either modify one of my road bikes (a 90’s steel Bianchi with downtube shifters), buy a CHEAP used one (no more than 400 bucks, but I’ve found used cross bikes aren’t too easy to come by), or use my girlfriend’s cross bike which is too small for me. I ride about a 53.5-54 cm top tube on my road bike, and the TT length on hers is 50 cm. If I raise the seat to the proper height, throw on a longer stem, will this allow me to reasonably play in the mud for a few races? I know it might handle like crap but who cares?
Ok, I’ve been around here long enough to know that you only ride a bike that fits well, and I have 3 bikes that fit perfectly, but no cross bike. I wanna do a few cross races this fall, so my options are to either modify one of my road bikes (a 90’s steel Bianchi with downtube shifters), buy a CHEAP used one (no more than 400 bucks, but I’ve found used cross bikes aren’t too easy to come by), or use my girlfriend’s cross bike which is too small for me. I ride about a 53.5-54 cm top tube on my road bike, and the TT length on hers is 50 cm. If I raise the seat to the proper height, throw on a longer stem, will this allow me to reasonably play in the mud for a few races? I know it might handle like crap but who cares?
Hey I am in the same boat right now and I find too that used cross bikes are hard to come by. I gave a thought to rebuilding my allez into cx but I am worried that the clearance for tires will not be enough. I wish there were more used frames available.
You can “get by” on damn near anything. Your girlfriend’s bike certainly won’t be an optimal ride, but it won’t be the reason you’re off the back, gasping for breath and wondering where the pack went. 
Assuming she isn’t riding it, just use her bike. At least it should be easy to carry…
It’s not so much that used 'cross bikes are impossible to find - just that you’re looking right on the cusp on 'cross season. It isn’t any help, but the time to look for a used 'cross bike is late Winter/early Spring. Of course that $400 max isn’t helping you much either…
If you just want to try it, put some barcons on your Bianchi and some 32mm tires. Since it is sized for you for road it may be a bit large.
otherwise there are several labels of generic Chinese frames available online or Ebay for about $200 and you could switch your parts, buy canti’s, shifters, and tires and you’re good to go.
depending on where you are racing mud may or may not be an issue depending a lot on the course designs.
have fun!
You can “get by” on damn near anything. Your girlfriend’s bike certainly won’t be an optimal ride, but it won’t be the reason you’re off the back, gasping for breath and wondering where the pack went. Assuming she isn’t riding it, just use her bike. At least it should be easy to carry…
It’s not so much that used 'cross bikes are impossible to find - just that you’re looking right on the cusp on 'cross season. It isn’t any help, but the time to look for a used 'cross bike is late Winter/early Spring. Of course that $400 max isn’t helping you much either…
Funny thing is her cross bike damn near weighs a ton. I could carry it but it’s a beast. The more I look at it, the more I think I could easily get by on it though. I know I’m looking at cross bikes at the wrong time, but I had planned on doing tris/dus through October and then calling it a season. A weird foot injury is making that difficult, so I figure I may bag the tri/du thing and do some cross instead. I know cross involves running, but it’s the steady 3+ miles of running that aggravates my foot. And believe it or not, a good bike can be had for under 400. I got my first road bike 5 years ago (a used early 90’s steel Bianchi) for 305. It works flawlessly and I enjoy riding it as much as my newer Litespeed Vortex.
Are you sure I can slap 32’s on the road bike? There looks like VERY little clearance between my current 23’s and the brakes…
Not sure. The “racier” your bike is the less likely they’ll fit. If 23’s are tight, probably not.
Sorry.
The steel Bianchi would be the best, but I doubt your going to have enough clearance for the wheels once you get some Cyclocross tires on there.
Personally I would go ride a Surly and see if that fits you. I own both a Surly as well as a Fetish and both fit me nicely. I have ridden Litespeed, Trek, Cannondale, and Fuji’s for road bikes and the Surly and Fetish while obviously have different Geometry due to being a cross bike, have a good feel at least for me. The Surly has a great off road feel. You just can’t beet steel, but the Fetish is a bit lighter and with a Carbon fork and seat post while not as nice as the Surly still has a good feel to it compared to a lot of other Aluminum frames.
Hope this helps. Have fun with Cross.
fortframes.com clearance list has a few x bike frames.
The problem with trying to find a cheap 'cross bike is the extremely low number of 'cross bikes there are to be had, relative to the number of road bikes out there. I’m not saying that its impossible, just that the probability of finding a decent 'cross bike that fits you for $400 is quite low.
Ride your GF’s bike, and if you get hooked think about building one for yourself. As mentioned in this thread, you can get a pretty decent frame for not a lot of money - but by the time you’re done building it I’d be shocked if you were able to keep it anywhere near $400. You can save a bundle if you have spare parts laying around, or if you rob your existing bike though.
Build one. Better Hurry.
Can’t tell if that 130 or 135 dropouts. If your planning on using old road wheel/hubs you can’t pinch 135 aluminum only steel.
Just a note. Looks like a great deal although they really messed up on the cable routing. You want you brake routing on the top tube for when you carry the bike. Also, the shift routing should be on the top as well, or have the ability to run cable housing all the way down to the bottom bracket.
Hmm, also doesn’t have an integrated headset. No biggy there, but it is an 07 cyclocross bike, you would think it would be integrated.
it is only $100
some of these ST folks eat that on a short training ride
Dirt
.
heh true…
I might train off childrens fruit snacks (10 for $2.25), but I guess that’s how am able to afford a $400 Cross Bike 
Hmm, also doesn’t have an integrated headset. No biggy there, but it is an 07 cyclocross bike, you would think it would be integrated.
You say that as if integrated headsets were superior or offered some sort of advantage…
Not a thing wrong with Leader bikes - MuffinTop regularly rides his to excellent placings (though I do agree with you on the cable routing - that won’t be too comfy when he tries to shoulder the bike).
"Looks like a great deal although they really messed up on the cable routing. You want you brake routing on the top tube for when you carry the bike. Also, the shift routing should be on the top as well, or have the ability to run cable housing all the way down to the bottom bracket. "
Tell that to Tim Johnson, and Jonathan Page, and Ryan Trebon, and Barry Wicks, and Geoff Kabush, and everyone who owns an Empella or a Redline, or - you get the idea. Utter nonsense.
Downtube cable routing works just fine if it’s done correctly, as was pretty obvious on the podium of the world championship race this past year; 2 out of the top 3 finishers had downtube cable routing…
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This is what I get for skimming. I had read that as “cable routing on top of the tube” - as opposed to underneath or down the left side where the cable stop digs into your shoulder.
If I was fast and paid to ride bike x I’d just suck it up - but seeing as I’m neither, I prefer not to have cable stops digging into my shoulder.
"Tell that to Tim Johnson, and Jonathan Page, and Ryan Trebon, and Barry Wicks, and Geoff Kabush, and everyone who owns an Empella or a Redline, or - you get the idea. Utter nonsense. "
Of course. No new technology is the best idea. Top tube routing is utter non-sense and let’s base that on pro’s who have absolute fantansic engines whom are sponsored and will ride whatever frame the sponsor puts underneath them. Lance of course being the exception.
Ohh, but wait. If the pro wins using some new technology then we embrace it.
Jeeze man. Just saying it’s a nice creature comfort. If your in the market for a new frame why not want it?
By the way, they don’t look too dirty and gunked up in those photos. Lucky them, would hate to have their shifters clog.
Well, cheaper going integrated, although don’t last as long IMO. You can always buy new cups if you damage them. I was just suprised that it wasn’t. Isn’t most of the leader line IS?