Cross Bikes

Vélo

Would a cross bike make a good winter bike?

I know they have the clearance for mudguards but would the tyres be too slow for the road? I know I could always get different tyres fitted but am just wondering about cross bikes and if it's worth getting one.

markdrayton

Vélo wrote: »

Would a cross bike make a good winter bike?

I know they have the clearance for mudguards but would the tyres be too slow for the road? I know I could always get different tyres fitted but am just wondering about cross bikes and if it's worth getting one.

If you swap the tyres for slicks there's not a great deal of difference between a 'cross bike and any other road bike. The geometry is a bit different -- generally shorter top tubes, higher bottom brackets and a longer wheelbase for clearance so they won't handle quite as sharply.

The main difference is the brakes. Cantis are rubbish. Even if you don't have fork judder (which plagues many CX bikes) they're not as good as road calipers.

If you're not going to race CX or use the bike off-road at all I wouldn't bother getting one. A touring bike might be more useful for the winter. That said, if you're thinking about racing CX then DO IT. Best form of cycling going.

TinyExplosions

Vélo wrote: »

Would a cross bike make a good winter bike?

I know they have the clearance for mudguards but would the tyres be too slow for the road? I know I could always get different tyres fitted but am just wondering about cross bikes and if it's worth getting one.

Always worth getting another bike, like you need to ask!

The tyres won't make a huge difference in speed, but you can always change them if you feel to slow (though it'd likely be your legs, not the tyres!)

ednwireland

just building up one of these as my commuter - seems to take 32mm tyres havent tested the back yet)



as far as i know the main prob is companies try and put v brakes with road levers and the cable pull isnt long enough (i'm puttiing old school xt cantis i from my mtb years ago )
and v brakes were always the spawn of the devil the design never made a lot odf sense (to me apart from getting rid of cable hangers)

anyway i'm going to find out in the next few days

markdrayton

ednwireland wrote: »

as far as i know the main prob is companies try and put v brakes with road levers and the cable pull isnt long enough (i'm puttiing old school xt cantis i from my mtb years ago )
and v brakes were always the spawn of the devil the design never made a lot odf sense (to me apart from getting rid of cable hangers)

These work with road levers: http://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1040&catid=185

Pricey though. Tektro might do some mini-Vs that also work.

ednwireland

markdrayton wrote: »

These work with road levers: http://www.trpbrakes.com/category.php?productid=1040&catid=185

Pricey though. Tektro might do some mini-Vs that also work.

i have these


so gonna see how those work first !

BostonB

You'll be able to get cross bikes with disc's .

midonogh

Vélo wrote: »

Would a cross bike make a good winter bike?

I know they have the clearance for mudguards but would the tyres be too slow for the road? I know I could always get different tyres fitted but am just wondering about cross bikes and if it's worth getting one.

This is what I have done. I have taken most of the group set from my old winter bike and put it on a cross frame. I have two sets of wheels one with cross tyes and one with road tyres. Its early days - I have done one club training spin on the cross tyres and it was not a huge additional effort. Entered the cross race last Saturday in Tymon Park and loved it. My frame lacks the eyelets for mudguards so it is not an ideal winter trainer.

My rationale was to have a winter bike that gave the option to do cross as well and I am mighty happy with my choice.

Itsfixed

midonogh wrote: »

This is what I have done. I have taken most of the group set from my old winter bike and put it on a cross frame. I have two sets of wheels one with cross tyes and one with road tyres. Its early days - I have done one club training spin on the cross tyres and it was not a huge additional effort. Entered the cross race last Saturday in Tymon Park and loved it. My frame lacks the eyelets for mudguards so it is not an ideal winter trainer.

My rationale was to have a winter bike that gave the option to do cross as well and I am mighty happy with my choice.

This is exactly what i have done too, with a Surly Cross Check frame and fork. Well pleased, and its still lively on cross tyres, even on the road, but like midonagh, i have a second wheelset with road tyres on it.

PLUG ALERT: Velo, if you're not planning to go off-road but looking for a suitable basis for a winter steed, I'm selling this frame, which donated the bits that went on my new Surly. Lovely steel ride, plenty of clearances for mudguards,. Only selling cos I can't afford to build it up as a second bike.

funkyjebus

sorry to thread steal. Think of getting a cross bike, just wondering if its worth it going for disc brakes (cable) or if im better off stay with canti.

also peoples opinions on any of these, especially if you have any of them:

Felt F75X €circa 1200
cube xrace comp €1200
or focus mares. €1000

all have 105, however I can get the mares for 1200 with fulcums and ultegra sl.

I like the look of the felt myself but have always had a strange love for them, but the focus is outstanding value.

However if I want dics i have to forget all the above and start fresh.

Any advise appreciated.

markdrayton

funkyjebus wrote: »

sorry to thread steal. Think of getting a cross bike, just wondering if its worth it going for disc brakes (cable) or if im better off stay with canti.

Discs work better. Cantis (IMHO) look traditional.

funkyjebus wrote: »

also peoples opinions on any of these, especially if you have any of them:

cube xrace comp €1200

I have an X-Race Comp. It's quite good -- top tube cables, bottle cages, pretty standard geometry and looks nice. It's mid-weight, not lightest but not awful. A friend's Felt felt a bit lighter.

Compact drop bars might not suit everyone.

It also came with a compact chainset, despite the tech specs listing a 'cross chainset. Compacts aren't great for racing as the ratios on small and big rings are too far apart. However, el-cheapo aftermarket rings are €15 or so. I have 46/36 now and it's a lot better.

Main problem is that it suffers from terrible fork judder under braking and doesn't have drillings for a fork-mounted brake hanger. Mine's an '09 or '10 model; perhaps 2011 is different?