Recommendations on cyclocross/gravel racer

[DirtyWorks]

but a lower bb is better, which most modern cx bikes have.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Re-Using road jigs/molds doesn't work. For people buying their equipment retail the geometry is mostly too tight.

I've never felt that I'd go better with more brake.

+10 to this. The mad rush to discs is not warranted in many cases. Plain old canti's are ok. Just stop pedaling and your speed falls like a rock!

V-brake use was not too elegant the last time I looked. Does shimano have a linear pull brifter now? Or, is the TravelAgent gadget still needed?

 

[hiero2]

. . . If the wheels you're using are the regular road width 18-19mm wide, you can fit 35c CX tires on them no problem, people have been doing that for eons before the 23mm wide rims that we love so much came around.

. . . Canti's suck! Go PAUL MiniMoto, short stack V-brakes.

Uh, forgive me if this is too nitpicky - but V-brakes ARE cantilevers ("canti's"). They are just side-pull cantilevers, instead of center-pull cantilevers. Right?
http://sheldonbrown.com/rim-brakes.html#types

Given that, next time I'm shopping, I will investigate the PAUL's, for sure!

As for tire size, the OP might find it handy to learn of this page:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
Towards the bottom, you will find a rim-width/tire-width cross reference chart. Very handy. Sheldon explains clearly why it may be important, and what the consequences of mis-sizing may be.

Good luck.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I bought the frame with every intention of selling it later. I usually ride 56cm for CX and 58 on the road. The front end of this thing is what I wanted to put to the test on the gravel. The custom project this winter will have a slightly more aggressive road style front end and a mid 40's fork rake. I'm actually thinking traditional triangle as well for more compliance on the gravel roads.

Ah, the frame would still be big for me....
I'm 5'5" and have a Ridley crossbow..size 48 which seems perfect..the Ridley has a high standover with the horizontal top tube.
Alas, I need to prolly not spend cash on another bike right now...but I can still drool.
I like your taste...

btw texPat that road looks awesome...
...and I like your new avi

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Ah, the frame would still be big for me....
I'm 5'5" and have a Ridley crossbow..size 48 which seems perfect..the Ridley has a high standover with the horizontal top tube.
Alas, I need to prolly not spend cash on another bike right now...but I can still drool.
I like your taste...

You can thank Campagnolo for that. Often imitated, never equaled.

Seriously though, this custom gravel race bike project I have going on this winter is going to be a far cry from the black suit and tie mode that I've been caught in with sourcing blank carbon frames. This next bike is going to be a steel build with a paint job that is going to hurt your innards to look at!

 

[mewmewmew13]

You can thank Campagnolo for that. Often imitated, never equaled.

Seriously though, this custom gravel race bike project I have going on this winter is going to be a far cry from the black suit and tie mode that I've been caught in with sourcing blank carbon frames. This next bike is going to be a steel build with a paint job that is going to hurt your innards to look at!

Just be sure to post pics..
you're killing us...

 

[avanti]

..............................

That's what you're missing if you don't.

Is this the N or S Island?

I've travelled to the South Island for one of my best vacations ever and hope to return that for a bike tour in the next year or so.

 

[Parera]

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/tcx.frameset/11507/56766/

Not much more than a crab0n bike and Giant has the best warranty in the business.

Here's mine setup for cross:

Please, get mini-v's, for the love of God. I got sucked into the whole "Hey that Mafac design is retro-cool!" but dear lord they really do brake like they came straight out of the 1950s. If you like being able to stop a bike, and you know use modern brake techniques similar to how you ride a mountain bike, then get some Mini-V's; don't be an idiot.

 

[TexPat]

Is this the N or S Island?

I've travelled to the South Island for one of my best vacations ever and hope to return that for a bike tour in the next year or so.

That road is 100km east of Wellington (North Island) in the Wairarapa district--a hidden treasure for touring or gravel road riding as the roads are comparatively quiet.

The South Island really has it all, though. Bigger place, bigger scenery, fewer cars.

 

[Boeing]

was it the different dimensions that led you to use such a small frame? a 52 for a 6'1" guys seems tiny, even for me. I am 6' and run a 54 with an 110 stem.

and their notoriously short short top tubes????

 

[Boeing]

"gravel racer" is the hot topic since interbike I guess with The Kona Rove and the Salsa thinyabobby with the Enve fork....but they dont really look like cross bikes to me and they aren't exactly monster cross because of the lack of tire clearance.. is it the disc brakes that makes the gravel racers ishish? then again who in their right mind would want disc brakes on a grave road? not steep and death sentence with too much stopping power..

where exactly are all these so called gravel grinder races btw?

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

"gravel racer" is the hot topic since interbike I guess with The Kona Rove and the Salsa thinyabobby with the Enve fork....but they dont really look like cross bikes to me and they aren't exactly monster cross because of the lack of tire clearance.. is it the disc brakes that makes the gravel racers ishish? then again who in their right mind would want disc brakes on a grave road? not steep and death sentence with too much stopping power..

where exactly are all these so called gravel grinder races btw?

The gravel specific bikes that are coming out, the Warbird from Salsa especially, is basically road geometry with CX tire clearance and d-brakes. The reasoning for disk brakes on gravel is the same as for CX, consistent braking in all conditions. The majority of these gravel grinders are in the Midwest, and the ones dated in the Springtime can see apocalyptic conditions when it's wet. I remember a few times that we had to stop and remove 2lbs of mud from the bike with a stick or your hands every 30mi or so, rim brakes don't work so well here. Rain turns most gravel roads into a sticky peanutbuttery goop. A common misconception about gravel roads is that they're all flat farm roads. Not so. I've hit speeds of 45+ on twisty, gravel descents all over the Midwest were it's supposed to be flat. The d-brake argument is lost on skeptics and the 40+ crowd, can't teach an old dog new tricks. All you skeptics already lost the anti d-brake argument earlier this year.

list of races here gravelgrindernews.commedia here XXCmag.com

 

[richwagmn]

The d-brake argument is lost on skeptics and the 40+ crowd, can't teach an old dog new tricks. All you skeptics already lost the anti d-brake argument earlier this year.

list of races here gravelgrindernews.commedia here XXCmag.com

What's your thoughts on mechanical discs? Most people seem pretty happy with them even though they're not as good hydraulics.

 

[Boeing]

I'm going to build up a cyclocross bike for riding this winter and am looking for some recommendations.

I've got a whole Shimano 6500 group and a spare set of wheels sitting around that need a home.

I'm thinking right now of going with an alloy frame. The bike will face some harsh conditions (sand, salt spray) and can't be cleaned easily after riding in the winter. So...

1) What are some alloy frame recommendations?
2) Cantilever recommendations?
3) What's the largest tire I can stick on a standard road wheel?

The question isnt largest tire on a road rim/wheel it is largest tire the frame spacing allows and as I stated there aint much even in the hyped bikes.

I dont know if you have the patience or cash for a custom but google Hunter Monster Cross and see the red bike and some of their team cross bikes

also there is Singular cycles in Britain. Their Peregrine is the dope stick

on the cheap but effective there is the Surly cross check

Looks new cross bike is carbon, 135 OLD rear spacing and room for a 2.0 with small knobs. disc

 

[Boeing]

Mechanical discs are fine. It is the lever selection that is tricky. If you go with the BB7 Road version however you can use a standard pull lever as in any of the sti type and have proper modulation. the standard BB7 requires a longer pull for better modulation

then back to frame choice you have the rear spacing to think about with disc. Although more and more frames are now 135 or 132.5 as a tweener

but what do I know I'm just a negative nelly downhill guy who isnt qualified to post in the road section according to the homers here

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

What's your thoughts on mechanical discs? Most people seem pretty happy with them even though they're not as good hydraulics.

Mechanical disk works fine for now. Avid bb7 and Hayes CX5 work well, but hydraulics will eventually take over. Pro CX'rs are already using hydraulics with the TRP Parabox that turns cable pull into hydraulic. Check out Ben Berden's bike who races for Raleigh/Clement. Parabox is underneath the stem.

 

[kuoirad]

Are hydraulics really going to be needed for the vast majority of people, or are they going to be more racer-specific? I'd love to go disc for my bike, but it'd mainly be used for commuting and occasional weekend rides. And I can't justify the money to buy a new frame/fork and GM-made wheels.

I would think mechanical would be fine for my needs, but that's just me.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Are hydraulics really going to be needed for the vast majority of people, or are they going to be more racer-specific? I'd love to go disc for my bike, but it'd mainly be used for commuting and occasional weekend rides. And I can't justify the money to buy a new frame/fork and GM-made wheels.

I would think mechanical would be fine for my needs, but that's just me.

You're absolutely right, mech d-brakes work great for most. Full hydro will be available for the higher end race rigs in the near future. My custom gravel frame being built this winter is going to be Campy Record EPS equipped with Hayes' CX5 mechanical d-brakes. I'll hold off on hydro road levers for a while until the mfg's refine the designs more, and the frame is being built to accommodate hydro when it's time to switch.

 

[kuoirad]

Out of curiosity, why the Hayes over the Avid?

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Out of curiosity, why the Hayes over the Avid?

Good question, both do the same quite well, but I don't support companies that are part of the Legion of Doom. Hayes is the king of bicycle disk brakes, Campy is king of the drivetrain, a perfect match!

Even aesthetically more pleasing, look at the Avid, then the Hayes.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Matter 'o fact, I took this pic up in Boulder on Thursday. Was affixed to a brand spanking new Ridley X-Fire.

 

[kuoirad]

*nods*

Cool. Is the Hayes option somewhat new? I was under the impression that for road mech disc, Avid was the only game in town.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

*nods*

Cool. Is the Hayes option somewhat new? I was under the impression that for road mech disc, Avid was the only game in town.

Avid was the only option until Hayes launched the the CX5 last year.

 

[L'arriviste]

I bought this Ridley X-Bow on Friday:

Haven't been able to ride it yet because I got post-vaccination sickness.

The fellow reckoned it's a very comfortable ride.

One thing I can say so far is that it's quite heavy, but really sturdy. Frame is very nice.

If you're around though, Giuseppe, can you reassure me? I felt a bit disconcerted by the "easy" fit of the SPDs onto those Truvativ Elita cranks. They seemed to go on way to slickly and I kind of felt like they were not tight on. But they seem fine. Should I be worried?

 

[kuoirad]

Ooh, another reason to go with Hayes instead - they're from the town I went to school in. GM's Legion of Doom is from Chicago, last I knew - if I don't have to give money to FIB's, that makes me happy.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Ooh, another reason to go with Hayes instead - they're from the town I went to school in. GM's Legion of Doom is from Chicago, last I knew - if I don't have to give money to FIB's, that makes me happy.