Cyclocross help / advice want a early bike

[mattsccm]

Wait for Barry Davies.
He'll tell you what you need.

 

[elPedro666]

Alan and Vitus were always the two to have in my era (raced '88-'97). My old Alan is probably still the bike I have most affection for...

 

[David B]

Hi everyone got myself a 1996 full suspension mtb now I am after a cyclocross bike. a few of my friends have brand new ones but I fancy another retro bike. I am new to cyclocross bike so haven't got a clue of a early brand to keep my eyes out for. Also could a road bike be converted to a cyclocross?
thanks all

I've been at races where some guys have ridden Dawes tourers converted to CX bikes, but I'll second the eBay suggestion - the odd retro CX machine does turn up, in fact there was a Joe Waugh 653-tubed 'cross frame on there recently. Only issue you may have with an older machine is tyre clearance when things start to gum up with autumn leaves etc., as back in the day cross tyres weren't as fat as modern ones - 700 x 28c rather than present-day 700 x 32c (as a 'for instance') was the norm. +1 also to keeping an eye out for Orbit machines.

There's a Diamant currently being offered (full 531 but see seller's note about rear dropout width):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Diamant-Quant ... 1090273901?

Not much else retro for now though.

David

 

[elPedro666]

Tyres thing is a very good point - it wasn't so easy to bend chainstays twentyfive years ago and 28c is certainly all that will fit through my '92/3 753 Sirius. Have a search for 28c 'cross tyres and if you can find any, please let me know ... or better yet just buy them all!

 

[David B]

Tyres thing is a very good point - it wasn't so easy to bend chainstays twentyfive years ago and 28c is certainly all that will fit through my '92/3 753 Sirius. Have a search for 28c 'cross tyres and if you can find any, please let me know ... or better yet just buy them all!

28mm tubs you can probably get hold of fairly easily - Tufo springs to mind straight away, Planet X used to do cheap & cheerful ones a few years ago, might still be on sale. Clinchers are a different kettle of fish - Panaracer do a 30mm CX clincher (I own a pair, not for sale though I'm afraid!) which is probably about as skinny as you'll find.

David

 

[andyz]

I have Schwalbe 32c CX comps on my Orbit, but the mud clearance is a bit tight. They're a great tyre for the price though.

 

[elPedro666]

Not had much luck with tubs either, if you spot any pease link them up!

 

[Johnsqual]

@ Parkysparky

You could try Belgian and Dutch ebay and other sites if you're looking for a vintage cyclocross. Although 'cross bikes are still not that common here they are easier to find than in the UK.

Try searching for:

- Cyclocross (obviously)
- Crossfiets ('fiets' = bike, but this will also bring up some hybrid and bmx bikes)
- Veldrit and/or veldritfiets
- also try the above words with 'kader' (= 'frame' in Dutch)

The main second hand sites are
www.kapaza.be
www.tweedehands.be
www.marktplaats.nl

Most people in Be. and Nl. are happy to communicate in English, altough I don't know how they will be about shipping abroad.

Good luck,

Johnny

 

[JPB08]

I use a Raliegh 853 S.P. frame....Modern 10 speed set up, with 50mm deep rims...It looks great and rides fantastic....Light enough too...I used it in last years Scottish CX series and it stood out among the Ridleys, Spesh and Giants etc...
For tyres, 700x33 would be the narrowest I would use for racing...

 

[JPB08]

Re. narrow tyres, I have used Vittoria Tigre Cross, which I think came in 700x27...It was a very fast tread pattern though, more suited to grass track than all out CX..