Opinions - CX bike as a winter roadie?

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Devon
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Location: Sydney, Australia

by Devon

So, I'd love a CX bike, and my winter bike is getting tired so will need some new parts and a new groupset. So this got me thinking, How about I get a decent lightweight CX bike and run it with road wheels in the winter for training so I don't ruin my CR1. Viable option?

Also presuming the answer is 'yes', do I go discs or canti?

Vaguely related, this is AWESOME. http://youtu.be/rxC7rgeTGck

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Martin.F
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by Martin.F

I'm running a Tiagra specced CX with mini-v's, fenders and Schwalbe marathon winters as a winter roadie. Great for getting in some hours on the saddle during the winter time!

Go discs, I'm wearing my brake pads faster than I change socks...

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sungod
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by sungod

yes

i've had two cx bikes, both for commuting/training

first one was stolen, it had basic mechanical disc brakes (avid bb5)

second one has cantis, but i soon changed the front to a caliper brake as the canti was so poor compared to what i was used to

if i was buying another it'd have disc brakes, they're just so much better when it's pouring and you're riding in traffic, plus your rims aren't getting ground down every time you brake

Devon
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Location: Sydney, Australia

by Devon

Valid points!

A concern is I'm used to a 53/39, and spin out on descents with my 12, so I think I'd die when running a 46/36 or similar CX spec crankset. Can I CX on proper rings? I'm assuming I'd struggle for traction. Unless of course, I could find cranks that fitted both ring sizes so I could swap depending on where I was riding. Hassle though...

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euan
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by euan

If you are spinning out on 53x12 you should stop pedalling anyway. Can you run 53/39 in a CX race? Yes, but you wouldn't want to. The 53 would be useless, but you could just stay in the 39 the whole time.

Devon
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by Devon

euan wrote:If you are spinning out on 53x12 you should stop pedalling anyway. Can you run 53/39 in a CX race? Yes, but you wouldn't want to. The 53 would be useless, but you could just stay in the 39 the whole time.


Could be an option. 39 is a good compromise between 36 and 46.

I spin out at 65kph in 53x12. My descending definitely needs work...

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Mr.Gib
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by Mr.Gib

Just make sure you get one with good fender mounts. Despite the wheel clearance some CX bikes do not take fenders well. I like the the carbon version of the Trek Cronus.
Last edited by Mr.Gib on Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
wheelsONfire wrote: When we ride disc brakes the whole deal of braking is just like a leaving a fart. It happens and then it's over. Nothing planned and nothing to get nervous for.

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LouisN
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by LouisN

I just finished building a CX bike for that purpose.
I chose canti brakes option, so I can swap my everyday road wheels, with appropriate tires, on the CX bike, an forth. Right now I'm waiting for a set of Challenge Parigi Roubaix 27 mm tires to arrive (it looks a little awkward with little tires on...).
It's my first CX, so I was impressed at how HIGH the bike was !!! 2 1/2 '' higher BB than the road bike !!! I also put the same drivetrain that's on my road bike, in case I need some replacement parts during summer/racing season. I put a standard compact 34/50 setup on it, with 11-23 cassette.

Image

Image



Louis :)

Devon
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Location: Sydney, Australia

by Devon

Mr.Gib wrote:Just make sure you get one with good fender mounts. Despite the wheel clearance some CX bikes do not take fenders well. I like the the carbon version of the Trek Cronus.


Fenders are mud guards?



Looks good Louis! Thanks for sharing

c50jim
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Location: Calgary

by c50jim

I used cx bikes for commuting, including winter, for about ten years before I retired. I had no problem with cantis but discs were Darwin those days. As Louis said, the high bottom bracket will feel different. Some cx bikes are closer to road in that respect or you could try one of the new "gravel" bikes that some US builders are putting together. They would allow bigger tires or even studs if you need those, as I used to for part of the winter. Then again, the gravel bike wouldn't be as suitable for real cross racing.

If you're concerned about gearing, you could go with a 52/36 to get something bigger on the front. You could still use it for cx racing and it would be big enough for road riding.

tonytourist
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by tonytourist

I run a standard compact on my cross bike with a SRAM 11-32 cassette. Currently have some 700x32 Gran Bois tires mounted up and I really like the ride. The Crux has clearance for a 700x40(42?) Vittoria Randonneur. I'll do group rides with it in its current setup and don't have any problems keeping up.
Pictured with my dads BMC GF01:
Image

Devon
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by Devon

Interesting setup. I've been riding 53/39 x 12-22 for so long I wouldn't know what to do with a 32 out back!

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euan
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by euan

Kinesis 5T or Pro6 are both winter bikeable.

I have a Trek Ion really good CX bike. Loooooooooads of mud clearance which if you are racing only one bike is pretty important.

Devon
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by Devon

euan wrote:Kinesis 5T or Pro6 are both winter bikeable.

I have a Trek Ion really good CX bike. Loooooooooads of mud clearance which if you are racing only one bike is pretty important.


I was thinking either the Pro6 or Genesis Vapour Disc, however I'd build them up from a frame with different drivetrain.

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dvincere
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by dvincere

If you want to be good at cross and have a good bike for cross your only real options are a 46 or 48 tooth big ring and you ride that in the winter or you swap it out when cross season is done. Also, brands vary a lot with their geometry but often the higher level the cross bike is the closer to road geometry you get. If you buy something like a Crux, of course you're going to be riding something closer to a hybrid bike than a road bike or true cross frame.

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