SSCXing - or at least an approximation...

[King Boonen]

Anyone here do any single speed cyclocross riding? I'm planning on doing some over the winter, not proper CX riding in the mud as my frame won't take wide enough tyres, but some MTB trail centre type trails, fire roads etc. out in the hills.


Any advice? I'll be running a 66" gear which is 8 inches shorter than I run on the road so I reckon it should be ok. Got some SPD pedals and shoes instead of the SPD-SLs that were on there incase I have to get off and carry.


Is there anything I should be taking out with me I wouldn't usually take on a road bike?

Cheers,

KB.

 

[filipo]

Duct tape
Zip ties
Chain master link
Extra spd cleat bolt

Have needed all of these things at one point or other while deep in the woods.

I'm doing the same thing, turning my Surly Karate Monkey from a mountain hardtail 1x9 into rigid fork drop bar one-y for the fall and winter. I used to run a 39x18 on trails back when I was fit, will probably run 32x14 now, mostly because that's the gearing I can find in my closet. Not the best on real hills, but nice for cranking flats and rollers.

My favorite type of riding. If I get lost, that's a plus.

 

[filipo]

Also: I run double tape on the tops, adding a layer from brake lever mounts to stem (and then a full wrap over top of that, from bar end to stem). Just plain cork tape, not super gel, so not overly thick.

Also run Panaracer Cinder X 700x35 (tubeless on Mavic Open Pro) which are for my money the best all-purpose cx-type tire around. Good on dust, on hardpack, not terrible on grass, fantastic in slop. And take a real beating, too.

 

[King Boonen]

Thanks Filipo, that's lots of help. I tend to carry a complete set of spare cleats in my saddle bag (yes, I hate saddle bags but they're so useful!) but you've reminded me to go pick up a set as I've only recently switched to SPD. I hate padding on my bars and don't wear gloves but I'll see how I get on and if I need it I'll do what you suggest. I currently use fizik superlight on my ss and road bikes with no padding underneath!

Tyre wise I may struggle for clearance in my frame, but at the moment I don't intend to be riding mud so I should be OK with 30-32s I think. I'll check out Panaracer and see if they do something smaller. If anyone is listening from Cinelli and want's to donate a MASH SSCX that'd be great!

 

[King Boonen]

Had a look and Panaracer do the Cross Blaster and CG CX that would fit. However, I think I'd tear them up very quickly as I intend to ride on the roads to a lot of places I want to ride. I'll have a look at urban/touring tyres but if I end up driving to a lot of places with the bike in the car I'll have another look at proper CX tyres.

 

[filipo]

Re Panaracers: most of my riding on them is hardpack, not mud, and I generally ride from the house, so lots of pavement time. They've held up well, in my experience.

Keep me posted!

 

[King Boonen]

Ok great, I'll have a look. Do you know how much pavement riding exactly? It's 50km to where I intend to ride, so I'll be doing 50k there and 50k back...

 

[filipo]

Mine lasted for two seasons (March to December) of 100k per week average. That's races, training, toodling around...

 

[King Boonen]

Good to know, thanks very much. Got National TTTs coming up so won't be doing much else until that's over but then will hopefully have some money for more suitable tyres.

 

[King Boonen]

I want this so badly!!!

 

[BigMac]

Hello gorgeous.

 

[King Boonen]

It's very nice! I can't justify a new frame and the new bits required to build it up... But I might take my current fixed gear CXing this weekend to see if I can come up with an excuse...

 

[King Boonen]

If anyone from Dosnoventa is reading this and wants to give me one as a year long test bike get in touch