versatile cx bke...?

[celerystalksme]

so...i'm shopping for a cyclocross bike. i originally asked on another forum if i could use my roadbike for cyclocross...but i guess that wasn't really recommended. but i have another question...is there a bike that i can use for mountain biking AND cyclocross?

[the Repeater]

It depends on the riding you want to do and where you live (terrain) but cross bikes can do many if not all trails in your area.


If you only intend to race local (no USCF events) then any MTB you like would be suitable to race. You'd only need to be bottle cage free, and optionally, use slimmer tires than usual.

[celerystalksme]

i've never been mountain biking...but i'm in ann arbor, mi. i don't think we have much super rugged terrain. as for cx...yes, i'd like to do uscf events...

[RollinOn27s]

i've never been mountain biking...but i'm in ann arbor, mi. i don't think we have much super rugged terrain. as for cx...yes, i'd like to do uscf events...

Big tires and suspension were invented for a reason.

The trails around there, if like other parts of Michigan, would eat a CX bike alive. CX bikes don't handle rocky trails well. Mud, sand, gravel yes. Rock gardens, rock stair cases...etc, are the domain of big tires and Fox/Manitou/RockShox.

[rayhuang]

I think youve got to do it the other way. Buy a light weight hardtail mountain bike and race cross with it.

To cut more weight, how about a hardtail single speed mtb for cross?

I tried to come up with the same thing as you (a 2nd Cross bike/mountain bike), but instead I just bought a used mountain bike.

I think the only rule is that you have to take off your cowhorns for cross.

[the Repeater]

I don't want to overstate what has been said before, but a true CX bike is a specialist racing bike. Period. If you want a utility bike, you need to think outside the box of "ideal."


Will you be able to do everything on a 1.5" tire that a 2.5" tire bike can? Sure. It won't be as good, but it will certainly work!


With the strong popularity of 29'ers, just look for a CX bike that will take a 40mm+ tire, and have an extra set of wheels with those and maybe a MTB cassette, and set it up with a long cage derailler.



Many stock bikes from the likes of big manufacturers like Trek or Bianchi are equipped to suit your needs, you'll just need to make the pre-ride swaps or take-offs to set your bike up for what you need when you need it.

Cross bikes won't be as stable at walking speed where the low-speed agility and stability of a true mountain bike will be more fun and easier to handle. But with tire choices in 700c/29" being what they are, there's certainly nothing stopping you from riding everything that's out there that can be ridden, and dismounting for what you can't!

[singlestoph]

you can use your crossbike as a road bike

also for commuting and touring



i have a singlespeedcrossbike where some 42mm ritchey tires fit in

ist is possible to ride the most trails wich people usually ride with suspensened mountainbikes with that bike

but it is only fun when i am not riding in a group with others, when i can ride as fast as i want

....

the bike with the most tire clearence that i know is the crosscheck from surly, there is enough space for 45mm tires
for that the chainstays need to be extremly manipulated

i think there would be not more possible when there should be also enough space for road cranks (also triple cranks)

if you need more space you need to know what cranks you want and order a customframe where all fits together

...



if you need some inspiration for building up a so called Monstercross bike

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=3734666


s

[singlestoph]

the other thing in the middle has not more space than for 30mm tires but the other thing is: it has enough space for the two carbon discs