brand new looking for first bike advice - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-29T06:02:31Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/brand-new-looking-for-first?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A88053&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy friend just got a Motobeca…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-03-09:1198434:Comment:877232011-03-09T22:53:47.885ZMatthew Bartonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MatthewBarton
<p>My friend just got a Motobecane and he loves it. He had the same problem with the stem. It was ridiculously long. He's been commuting on it for a month now and it still rides great. </p>
<p>JT - I did that ride I mentioned above (Dalles 60) on the Nature Boy and loved it! The bike was very comfortable and handled perfectly on the descents and climbs. It was a casual, unsanctioned ride/race and I managed to finish 3rd and was the only one on a single speed. I can't wait for cross season.…</p>
<p>My friend just got a Motobecane and he loves it. He had the same problem with the stem. It was ridiculously long. He's been commuting on it for a month now and it still rides great. </p>
<p>JT - I did that ride I mentioned above (Dalles 60) on the Nature Boy and loved it! The bike was very comfortable and handled perfectly on the descents and climbs. It was a casual, unsanctioned ride/race and I managed to finish 3rd and was the only one on a single speed. I can't wait for cross season. Thanks again. Cheers.</p> Yeah Kevin, I'd go with the m…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-03-09:1198434:Comment:879822011-03-09T22:26:25.569ZJT Fountainhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JTFountain
<p>Yeah Kevin, I'd go with the motobecane... but that's me. I love steel and really dislike aluminum. The motobecane should be pretty to lighten up over time... a carbon fork would be a nice upgrade eventually and shave a lot of weight. Really, everything on it could be replaced with lighter components... but it's a great starting point, especially for the price. I should mention this... I put together three of these bikes, out of the box, and found that they all came with 130mm stems,…</p>
<p>Yeah Kevin, I'd go with the motobecane... but that's me. I love steel and really dislike aluminum. The motobecane should be pretty to lighten up over time... a carbon fork would be a nice upgrade eventually and shave a lot of weight. Really, everything on it could be replaced with lighter components... but it's a great starting point, especially for the price. I should mention this... I put together three of these bikes, out of the box, and found that they all came with 130mm stems, regardless of the smaller sized bikes... way too long! I don't know why they came with such long stems, but it's not a big deal to replace with a proper size (100-110).</p>
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<p>Here in Idaho we got hit with a foot of snow a couple weeks ago... I had already been lulled into the false idea that Spring was here. Kind of a slap in the face! But that snow has since melted off, and the non-winter bike riding continues! Have fun in the snow and keep me posted on the bike purchase.</p>
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<p>JT</p> Me again--just curious--tryin…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-03-09:1198434:Comment:880532011-03-09T20:01:02.858Zkevin fentonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/kevinfenton
<p>Me again--just curious--trying to do this on the cheaper side to start--so, the choice is a 2008 Specialized Tri-cross (aluminum) with about 1,000 miles or a new Motobecane. The weights are about the same, I think. I am also presuming that I will need , at some point, to upgrade parts on either one. I have done some research and listened to you, so am leaning toward the Motobecane. Thanks again for the help.</p>
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<p>As a side note, we got five inches of snow last night. Guess my…</p>
<p>Me again--just curious--trying to do this on the cheaper side to start--so, the choice is a 2008 Specialized Tri-cross (aluminum) with about 1,000 miles or a new Motobecane. The weights are about the same, I think. I am also presuming that I will need , at some point, to upgrade parts on either one. I have done some research and listened to you, so am leaning toward the Motobecane. Thanks again for the help.</p>
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<p>As a side note, we got five inches of snow last night. Guess my winter riding will continue for awhile.</p>
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<p>kevin</p>
<p> </p> Awesome! You made a great cho…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-25:1198434:Comment:875812011-02-25T05:48:09.084ZJT Fountainhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JTFountain
Awesome! You made a great choice, Matthew. Have a great time with the break-in ride and please do let me know how it goes. Pedal Power!
Awesome! You made a great choice, Matthew. Have a great time with the break-in ride and please do let me know how it goes. Pedal Power! Thanks for the info JT. I got…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-25:1198434:Comment:875792011-02-25T05:26:42.129ZMatthew Bartonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MatthewBarton
Thanks for the info JT. I got my frame the other day and just completed the build, took it for a spin around the neighborhood and it feels great! I went with the 52 and it fits perfectly. I'll be breaking it in next weekend on a 60 mile ride in The Dalles, OR <a href="http://velodirt.com/races/the-dalles-mountain-60-march-5-201/">http://velodirt.com/races/the-dalles-mountain-60-march-5-201/</a>. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the advice.
Thanks for the info JT. I got my frame the other day and just completed the build, took it for a spin around the neighborhood and it feels great! I went with the 52 and it fits perfectly. I'll be breaking it in next weekend on a 60 mile ride in The Dalles, OR <a href="http://velodirt.com/races/the-dalles-mountain-60-march-5-201/">http://velodirt.com/races/the-dalles-mountain-60-march-5-201/</a>. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the advice. Hey Mr. Barton, good call on…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-15:1198434:Comment:871432011-02-15T20:20:23.201ZJT Fountainhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JTFountain
Hey Mr. Barton, good call on getting a Nature Boy. I'm 5'8.5" and ride the 49 (53.5 tt). For you I'd recommend the 52 (55 tt). Definitely not the 55. Generally speaking, a person your size could ride the 49, although it would be on the small side. If you like to run a long stem (120mm) and/or you seat set way back, maybe the 49 would be best. I run my seat a little forward of center on a layback post and a 100mm stem. So yeah, hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hey Mr. Barton, good call on getting a Nature Boy. I'm 5'8.5" and ride the 49 (53.5 tt). For you I'd recommend the 52 (55 tt). Definitely not the 55. Generally speaking, a person your size could ride the 49, although it would be on the small side. If you like to run a long stem (120mm) and/or you seat set way back, maybe the 49 would be best. I run my seat a little forward of center on a layback post and a 100mm stem. So yeah, hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. JT, thanks for all the info o…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-15:1198434:Comment:872422011-02-15T16:33:46.952ZMatthew Bartonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MatthewBarton
JT, thanks for all the info on the frame. I ran into you at nationals during the time trial and asked you a bit about the frame. I have decided to purchase a nature boy frame next month and had a question about the sizing. They seem to run large. I'm 5'10" with normal proportions and I'm trying to decide between the 52 and the 55. I'll be ordering it through a shop here in town so I can't test ride it first. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.
JT, thanks for all the info on the frame. I ran into you at nationals during the time trial and asked you a bit about the frame. I have decided to purchase a nature boy frame next month and had a question about the sizing. They seem to run large. I'm 5'10" with normal proportions and I'm trying to decide between the 52 and the 55. I'll be ordering it through a shop here in town so I can't test ride it first. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers. Well Kevin, if you want a cha…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-10:1198434:Comment:865522011-02-10T02:42:41.098ZJT Fountainhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JTFountain
Well Kevin, if you want a challenge that will get you out of you comfort zone, you've chosen wisely!
Well Kevin, if you want a challenge that will get you out of you comfort zone, you've chosen wisely! Thanks. I appreciate the feed…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-10:1198434:Comment:862452011-02-10T02:38:48.067Zkevin fentonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/kevinfenton
<p>Thanks. I appreciate the feedback from everyone as I have no idea what I am getting into. I mostly mountain bike. I am now trying to connect with local SS folks. I emailed the area WCA contact and he returned my email. Am now waiting for someone more local to contact me. </p>
<p>The challenge of it is part of the draw. Mostly just want some challenging fun that will push me out the comfort zone. So far it seems the cyclocross culture is pretty open and welcoming. Am looking forward to…</p>
<p>Thanks. I appreciate the feedback from everyone as I have no idea what I am getting into. I mostly mountain bike. I am now trying to connect with local SS folks. I emailed the area WCA contact and he returned my email. Am now waiting for someone more local to contact me. </p>
<p>The challenge of it is part of the draw. Mostly just want some challenging fun that will push me out the comfort zone. So far it seems the cyclocross culture is pretty open and welcoming. Am looking forward to getting connected. And what isn't to like about buying a new bike.</p>
<p> </p> Thanks for the feedback and e…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2011-02-10:1198434:Comment:863452011-02-10T02:30:28.089Zkevin fentonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/kevinfenton
<p>Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. I have the chance to mt bike where the trails aren't clear or don't exist, so falling isn't new. I am going to see what I can get through my local bike shop. Should be good fun.</p>
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<p>Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. I have the chance to mt bike where the trails aren't clear or don't exist, so falling isn't new. I am going to see what I can get through my local bike shop. Should be good fun.</p>
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