Offseason, Cross bike or Road Bike? - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-28T13:27:53Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/offseason-cross-bike-or-road?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A65988&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI used to get on my 'cross bi…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-09-03:1198434:Comment:659882010-09-03T20:58:29.433Zphil noblehttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/philnoble
I used to get on my 'cross bike the middle of August, then back on the road bike in April. I sold my road bike 3 years ago when I realized that I rode it less than 4 months a year. One of my 'cross bikes has a 50t big ring for road riding, and I have a set of wheels with slicks on them.<br />
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The differences have been stated: a little heavier, slower response(relaxed angles), and the brakes are not as good(but who uses brakes). I think it is a more comfortable ride, and you can hit the trails on the…
I used to get on my 'cross bike the middle of August, then back on the road bike in April. I sold my road bike 3 years ago when I realized that I rode it less than 4 months a year. One of my 'cross bikes has a 50t big ring for road riding, and I have a set of wheels with slicks on them.<br />
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The differences have been stated: a little heavier, slower response(relaxed angles), and the brakes are not as good(but who uses brakes). I think it is a more comfortable ride, and you can hit the trails on the way home with 700x28 slicks. It's usually just a differenc…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-09-03:1198434:Comment:659682010-09-03T14:08:11.974ZHamiltonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Hamilton
It's usually just a difference in brakes, bottom bracket drop (though not as much some newer 'cross bikes) and longer chainstays. There can be some difference in headtube and seattube angles, depending on the manufacturer.
It's usually just a difference in brakes, bottom bracket drop (though not as much some newer 'cross bikes) and longer chainstays. There can be some difference in headtube and seattube angles, depending on the manufacturer. i was wondering what the majo…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-09-03:1198434:Comment:659502010-09-03T04:54:11.999ZRobb Manlapazhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/RobbManlapaz
i was wondering what the major difference between a cross bike with road tires and a road bike is? Geometry? Gearing? I know some cross bikes can be heavy, but supposing that its the same weight as a road bike is there a difference?
i was wondering what the major difference between a cross bike with road tires and a road bike is? Geometry? Gearing? I know some cross bikes can be heavy, but supposing that its the same weight as a road bike is there a difference? it doesn't have to be any har…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-19:1198434:Comment:622192010-07-19T19:48:31.309Zandrewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cyclocross
it doesn't have to be any harder than a wheel change really.<br />
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If you have two sets of wheels, with similar rim widths and brake tracks, it shouldn't be too much of an issue switching out wheels (in terms of brakes). And I think the key is two have different cassettes for road and cross, and then it's pretty easy. If you can do a 48t big ring, an 11t road cassette is pretty big for most applications. You could even go with the 50t, which believe it or not, I have on one of my 'cross bikes that…
it doesn't have to be any harder than a wheel change really.<br />
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If you have two sets of wheels, with similar rim widths and brake tracks, it shouldn't be too much of an issue switching out wheels (in terms of brakes). And I think the key is two have different cassettes for road and cross, and then it's pretty easy. If you can do a 48t big ring, an 11t road cassette is pretty big for most applications. You could even go with the 50t, which believe it or not, I have on one of my 'cross bikes that serves dual duty (39/50). Then for 'cross, a 12+ or 13+ cassette works well with a 48t or 50t. 13t or 14t cassettes are made, they may be harder to find but <a href="http://www.mavic.com/road/tips/cassette.aspx" target="_blank">mavic</a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/9o3omx" target="_blank">shimano (13-25, 14-25, 15-25...and an amazing 16-27!)</a> make them - jrs. use them for gear restrictions. Changing the rear wheel with a different rear cassette usually won't require rear derailleur adjustment - especially if the hubs are the same (cassettes will be same distance from frame).<br />
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I agree changing the front big ring is a pain (usually requires front mech adjustments) but the two wheel setup would be perfect - at least it has been for me. To me the big disadvantage is…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-19:1198434:Comment:622162010-07-19T19:34:49.721ZLance Johnsonhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/LanceJohnson
To me the big disadvantage is that you don't have a true cross bike to play on. I like to hit gravel roads and trails all year 'round on my cross bike and wouldn't want to have to change out wheels, reset brakes for the 'cross wheels, and change out chainrings when I want to play in the dirt. I set both bikes up similarly - though the road bike is about 2cm lover on the front end - so I can jump back and forth without issues.<br />
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Years ago I used a cross bike for everything starting in September,…
To me the big disadvantage is that you don't have a true cross bike to play on. I like to hit gravel roads and trails all year 'round on my cross bike and wouldn't want to have to change out wheels, reset brakes for the 'cross wheels, and change out chainrings when I want to play in the dirt. I set both bikes up similarly - though the road bike is about 2cm lover on the front end - so I can jump back and forth without issues.<br />
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Years ago I used a cross bike for everything starting in September, but in the mountains it definitely didn't climb or descend as well on the steep and gnarly stuff. If I lived in the midwest it would likely be less of an issue than in Colorado. Last weekend I got taken into…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-17:1198434:Comment:620272010-07-17T09:59:01.891Zcxchivahttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cxchiva
Last weekend I got taken into the barriers in a crit so my road bike is out of commission for several days. So, I got out the Salsa Chili Con Crosso, put a 50t on w/ some road wheels and recently raced to a 2nd place in a stacked cat 3/4 field. I went away realizing that the rider is more important than the bike.
Last weekend I got taken into the barriers in a crit so my road bike is out of commission for several days. So, I got out the Salsa Chili Con Crosso, put a 50t on w/ some road wheels and recently raced to a 2nd place in a stacked cat 3/4 field. I went away realizing that the rider is more important than the bike. No real disadvantage. I think…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-16:1198434:Comment:619922010-07-16T19:35:23.322ZSteve Ransomhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/SteveRansom
No real disadvantage. I think the only real difference might be handling in a pack, if you decide to road race. While you can get used to this (I have many friends that do)...cross bikes definitely won't handle quite the same as a road set up, but it is not a deal breaker. You might be able to accommodate for this with different tire size. Outside of that, I am all for it. One bike for everything is my idea of heaven.
No real disadvantage. I think the only real difference might be handling in a pack, if you decide to road race. While you can get used to this (I have many friends that do)...cross bikes definitely won't handle quite the same as a road set up, but it is not a deal breaker. You might be able to accommodate for this with different tire size. Outside of that, I am all for it. One bike for everything is my idea of heaven. I must say I can feel the dif…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-16:1198434:Comment:619682010-07-16T14:53:17.306ZCarl keenhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Carlkeen
I must say I can feel the difference especialy on a climb. That said I ride it off season occasionaly but that's mainly for mixed rides or Sportives. I certainly wouldn't dream of rocking up to a road race on it .<br />
I had a great ride on it earlier this year. Rapha the clothing company organised a 100K to pay homage to the Paris - Roubaix. Mostly road but with twenty faux Pavé sections. It came into it's own there.
I must say I can feel the difference especialy on a climb. That said I ride it off season occasionaly but that's mainly for mixed rides or Sportives. I certainly wouldn't dream of rocking up to a road race on it .<br />
I had a great ride on it earlier this year. Rapha the clothing company organised a 100K to pay homage to the Paris - Roubaix. Mostly road but with twenty faux Pavé sections. It came into it's own there. The braking braking on road b…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-16:1198434:Comment:619522010-07-16T02:08:01.969Zandrewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cyclocross
The braking braking on road bikes tends to be true compared to cyclocross bikes with wide profile, high yoke cantilevers, but a low profile cantilever brake, if set up correctly can have a lot more stopping power than even a dual pivot road caliper (which typically has a mechanical advantage of 5.6:1). You can go to 8:1 or more with a good low profile brake. Not that you should, but you could.<br />
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<a href="http://cxmagazine.com/subscribe" target="_blank">Issue 7</a> had a ton of stuff on brakes…
The braking braking on road bikes tends to be true compared to cyclocross bikes with wide profile, high yoke cantilevers, but a low profile cantilever brake, if set up correctly can have a lot more stopping power than even a dual pivot road caliper (which typically has a mechanical advantage of 5.6:1). You can go to 8:1 or more with a good low profile brake. Not that you should, but you could.<br />
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<a href="http://cxmagazine.com/subscribe" target="_blank">Issue 7</a> had a ton of stuff on brakes including reviews and setup tips. Should be avail in digital format soon! Brakes are the main issue I w…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2010-07-13:1198434:Comment:618082010-07-13T18:22:03.633ZBrianhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/Brian62
Brakes are the main issue I was thinking about also. Road calipers seem to have much more stopping power than cantis. But if you've been riding with cx bike with no issues, then all the better to stay on it year round.
Brakes are the main issue I was thinking about also. Road calipers seem to have much more stopping power than cantis. But if you've been riding with cx bike with no issues, then all the better to stay on it year round.