Buying a cyclo cross bike

[Deleted]

Kevin I'm-on-commission-for-how-many-people-I-persuade-to-do-cross Knox, has infomed me that now is a great time to buy one.

As my savings are doing nothing, and morally, I should try and help the economy, I'm thinking of buying ANOTHER bike.

Is sizing for cross the same as for road, or do you go for smaller?

[Deleted]

What happened to looking for a track frame that fits you???

[Deleted]

Both schools of thought have supporters, but it seems to me your frame size should be the same whatever the discipline. A smaller frame is supposed to be easier to hop on and off, but if it don't fit, it don't fit.

Now is a good time, like Kevin says. Most people think about it in October and miss half the season before they get sorted.

[Deleted]

Same size but you lower the saddle a few mm. You don't want to go smaller as the front end will be too low and the top tube would be shorter and you would have to compensate with a longer stem. The shorter frame would make it a crit type ride and you don't want that. There is a tendency nowadays to flip the stem the other way to get more height at the front end and if you look at photo's you'll notice the 'upward' look. It is better for steep descents.

There's a few on *bay and now is a good time to jump one.

¬¬¬

[Deleted]

I've got a S-Works Tricross F+F for sale...oh hang on, it's a bit squashed after my incident with a lorry. Anyone know of a 56cm Tricross for sale???

I usually ride a 58cm on the road but after careful study of the 56cm Specialized Cross frame the geometry is almost the same...not that it made any difference in my ability to ride cross races!

[Deleted]

I have a 52cm Trek X0 cross frame and forks (in black) if you are interested... available for viewing in Dulwich

[andyw]

A proper cyclo-cross bike will have a shorter top tube anyway, so you should really go for the same size bike as you ride on the road.
It will also have a taller headtube and a slacker headangle (which makes it more stable as well as keeping the front wheel out of the way of your toes).
You definitely need to sit a bit more upright on a cross bike to keep your hip angle more open (for better delivery of power on wet slow bits), to allow more room to maneuver eg steep descents, and to keep the weight over the back wheel for maximal traction. You rarely go fast enough for aerodynamics to come into play, so all you need to worry about is getting a position that allows to put down as much power as possible, while still letting you get round the technical bits.

[Deleted]

Ive got a Ridley x night 58cm for sale, complete bike or frame and fork option.

[andyw]

I think Melissa will probably have to make a visit to www.leg-lengthening.com/ before she can get on one of your bikes Al.

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2009 12:46:11 GMT @opiumia said:

I have a 52cm Trek X0 cross frame and forks (in black) if you are interested... available for viewing in Dulwich

Interested I am! Drop me a pm and we'll arrange a viewing. And how much you want for it as well.

[Deleted]

Not wishing to rain on any frame seller's parade, but unless you have a pile of spare sti's, wheels, chainsets and odds and sods, you will quickly end up spending more than buying a new bike will cost.

A whole bike is a better bet.

[Deleted]

Stop raining on my parade, dash it.


(I also have some odds and one or two sods)

[delia]

Sarah, I don't know a huge amount about cyclocross bikes and mine is a bit of a beast but I think they tend to be higher off the ground ie there is more space between the bottom bracket and the ground to allow for clearance in the mud. Someone else might say that's utter tosh but it's worth bearing in mind.
Does this mean we'll be seeing you out on the cross field this autumn/winter? The Dulwich cross empire is growing.

[Deleted]

Yes, I think the Trek cross frame had a higher BB - same as the Planet X I swapped it for.

I think my cross racing began and ended at Wilmington though - only place to go is down after our medal-winning effort!