Cyclocross..tell me about it :-)

[LeeDevelopment]

I *Heart* my Spooky, goes like the absolute clappers. I ride it pretty much like my mountain bike, much to looks of disgust from passing roadies when I'm bunny hopping things and jumping step downs

I'm using WTB Speedmaster canti's at the moment, which are OK, they took ages to set up and still squeak a tad, but they will do for the time being. If cost was no object I'd be opting for Paul Component 'Touring' Canti's instead.

 

[velomaniac]

Disc brakes are increasingly appearing on CX bikes infact Edinburgh bikes do one which is quite economically priced but probably lacks the bling factor

 

[Steve Kish]

Great saddle, Lee. My 'Spoon' looks that colour but that's from muddy rides and scary descents!

 

[ededwards]

Cyclocross bikes are great fun and certainly breathe new life into familiar trails as you can't just ride through stuff as with a wider tyre (and think you don't do that? Just go out and ride something that you know well and you'll see what I mean). Oh, and they can be plenty nippy enough on road.

Almost predictably I'll have to take issue with v's (including mini ones) and discs. It's not about cable pull or suitable levers - if you want discs or v's then tide a mountain bike; while you're at it why not fit flats (risers :twisted: ) to your cross bike and be done with it?

Cantis sometimes don't work as well but they can be set up to give adequate stopping power and it sometimes requires greater anticipation and/or earlier braking. Having seen the speed and smoothness with which people descend the Three Peaks on cantis and narrow, pumped up tyres, the limiting factor certainly isn't the braking capability. Plus cantis look Belgian. End of.

 

[velomaniac]

Based on my aquired knowledge of Ed's fear of going down hills I find his last point confusing :?

 

[ededwards]

Based on my aquired knowledge of Ed's fear of going down hills I find his last point confusing :?

Your confusion is understandable as I was riding a bike with v's - when you can stop it's quite a different matter to when there is no option of stopping!

Regardless of such jibber jabber, cantis still look cooler.

 

[velomaniac]

CX canti's look cooler yes, lower profile mtb canti's less cool

 

[ededwards]

CX canti's look cooler yes, lower profile mtb canti's less cool

Yep....

 

[David B]

personally I love cx bikes. (a few of me and the mrs's pictured).

I think there are two ways of looking at them.

a) not that good off road and slower than a road bike on road, so what's the point?

b) good enough off road for a bimble, way quicker on road than an MTB.

I like - b.

GET ONE.

As for point (b), unless in the hands of a very good MTB rider, the MTB will always come off second-best in a cyclo-cross race; a cross bike has the edge speed-wise and doesn't get laden down with mud (and hence get heavier) to the same extent.

"GET ONE" - sound advice!

David

 

[David B]

Almost predictably I'll have to take issue with v's (including mini ones) and discs. It's not about cable pull or suitable levers - if you want discs or v's then tide a mountain bike; while you're at it why not fit flats (risers :twisted: ) to your cross bike and be done with it?
Cantis sometimes don't work as well but they can be set up to give adequate stopping power and it sometimes requires greater anticipation and/or earlier braking. Having seen the speed and smoothness with which people descend the Three Peaks on cantis and narrow, pumped up tyres, the limiting factor certainly isn't the braking capability. Plus cantis look Belgian. End of.

Cross bike + straight handlebars = wrong. In my eyes, anyroad. Each to their own, etc.

My cantilever brakes are 20-odd year-old Modolo ones with modern pads, do a pretty decent job really. Never really thought of the set-up as looking especially "Belgian", although if this is the case, no bad thing given my liking for speciality beers from said country.

David