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cross component recommendations, please
Hi, I'm considering buying my first cross bike so I can continue to ride
through the winter, and get in some trail riding for some variety. My local dealer builds cross bikes from Alan frames (www.alan-bikeframes.com) but before I buy one I'd appreciate any comments from people who have ridden these cross frames. Also, I'd like some recommendations on which components I should hang off this frame. I'm not planning to race cross for at least a couple of years so I don't need high end components; durability is higher on my list than light weight. Thanks. |
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#2
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Kyle Legate wrote:
Hi, I'm considering buying my first cross bike so I can continue to ride through the winter, and get in some trail riding for some variety. My local dealer builds cross bikes from Alan frames (www.alan-bikeframes.com) but before I buy one I'd appreciate any comments from people who have ridden these cross frames. Also, I'd like some recommendations on which components I should hang off this frame. I'm not planning to race cross for at least a couple of years so I don't need high end components; durability is higher on my list than light weight. If cyclocross competition was your only intent, one of these would probably do nicely, but these are race-specific frames, not well suited to the application you describe, mainly because theyr're not designed to accept fenders. Proper fenders make a HUGE difference in comfort and clenliness when you ride in sloppy conditions, and it's idiotic to design a cyclocross frame that won't accept them. It doesn't make the bike a bit faster to omit fender and rack attachment points, just makes it less useful in the name of fashion. Consider something like the Surly Cross-Check instead, I think this would be much more appropriate for the use you describe. Sheldon "Versatility Is Good" Brown +--------------------------------------------+ | All the world's a stage and most of us | | are desperately unrehearsed. | | --Sean O'Casey | +--------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com |
#3
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Sheldon Brown wrote:
Kyle Legate wrote: (www.alan-bikeframes.com) If cyclocross competition was your only intent, one of these would probably do nicely, but these are race-specific frames, not well suited to the application you describe, mainly because theyr're not designed to accept fenders. Proper fenders make a HUGE difference in comfort and clenliness when you ride in sloppy conditions, and it's idiotic to design a cyclocross frame that won't accept them. It doesn't make the bike a bit faster to omit fender and rack attachment points, just makes it less useful in the name of fashion. From the website: "Upon request, bottle, rack and fender braze-ons are available without extra charge." |
#4
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Kyle Legate wrote:
Hi, I'm considering buying my first cross bike so I can continue to ride through the winter, and get in some trail riding for some variety. My local dealer builds cross bikes from Alan frames (www.alan-bikeframes.com) but before I buy one I'd appreciate any comments from people who have ridden these cross frames. Also, I'd like some recommendations on which components I should hang off this frame. I'm not planning to race cross for at least a couple of years so I don't need high end components; durability is higher on my list than light weight. Thanks. if it were me looking for a cross bike with durability over weight, I would skip the alan frames which are kind of weird (aluminum or carbon tubes glued together with lugs), and look into cheap chinese titanium: http://www.habcycles.com/cross.html from here you would add campy ergo chorus 9 speed, a set of nice wheels, a nice handlebar (like ritchey biomax) and call it a job well done. |
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Sheldon Brown wrote:
If cyclocross competition was your only intent, one of these would probably do nicely, but these are race-specific frames, not well suited to the application you describe, mainly because theyr're not designed to accept fenders. Proper fenders make a HUGE difference in comfort and clenliness when you ride in sloppy conditions, and it's idiotic to design a cyclocross frame that won't accept them. I know pro crossers get a fresh bike every lap, but wouldn't fenders (or the British "mudguards", which seems a more appropriate term in this context), cause terrible clogging problems? I have memories of trying to ride a touring bike down a bridleway in my youth and grinding to a halt after 100 yards because of mud accumulating between the wheels and mudguards. The clearances weren't especially close, but clay is evil stuff. I'd not have a touring bike without fenders (a la Fuji) though! |
#6
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I wrote:
If cyclocross competition was your only intent, one of these would probably do nicely, but these are race-specific frames, not well suited to the application you describe, mainly because theyr're not designed to accept fenders. Proper fenders make a HUGE difference in comfort and clenliness when you ride in sloppy conditions, and it's idiotic to design a cyclocross frame that won't accept them. Zog undeniably wrote: I know pro crossers get a fresh bike every lap, but wouldn't fenders (or the British "mudguards", which seems a more appropriate term in this context), cause terrible clogging problems? I wasn't recommending them for cyclocross competition, but for general winter riding. I have memories of trying to ride a touring bike down a bridleway in my youth and grinding to a halt after 100 yards because of mud accumulating between the wheels and mudguards. The clearances weren't especially close, but clay is evil stuff. Clay is a special case. When I lived in France, I had this problem with the old French Gnome-Rhone 650B machine I had rigged as a quasi-VTT. It had alumin(i)um gardes boues and some of the trails I liked to ride were a mixture of clay and 2000 years of accumulated horse manure, an unbelievably cohesive sort of mud. I was once brought to a standstill on a very steep descent by this during the rainy season. Sheldon "Boue" Brown +----------------------------------------------+ | Ask the travelled inhabitant of any nation | | "In what country on earth would you rather | | live?" | | "Certainly in my own, where are all my | | friends, my relations, and the earliest | | recollections of my life." | | "Which would be your second choice?" | | "FRANCE !!" --Jefferson 1821 | +----------------------------------------------+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041 http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com |
#7
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I like
- Time ATAC pedals: usually easier to clip in, and have a good platform when you do have trouble. - bar-end shifters: more reliable, lighter, less expensive if you crash and break 'em - 39-46 chainring combo and 12-28 cogset. - tubular rims w/ tufos - third eye chain guard If you have to carry your bike across three or four times a lap, lighter is better than heavier. |
#8
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"Kyle Legate" wrote:
Hi, I'm considering buying my first cross bike so I can continue to ride through the winter, and get in some trail riding for some variety. My local dealer builds cross bikes from Alan frames (www.alan-bikeframes.com) but before I buy one I'd appreciate any comments from people who have ridden these cross frames. Also, I'd like some recommendations on which components I should hang off this frame. I'm not planning to race cross for at least a couple of years so I don't need high end components; durability is higher on my list than light weight. Read Adam Myerson's articles on cross bike setup: http://www.cycle-smart.com/coaching/articles.shtml http://www.cycle-smart.com/coaching/...ossbike1.shtml Make sure you get a bike that gives enough standover clearance and at the same time allows you to get the bars up high enough - you will probably want the bars higher than a road position. Many cross frames have higher BBs than road bikes, which can make both standover and higher bar position difficult to achieve. Watch out for purist European-style cross frames that may have small tire clearance, no bottle cage brazeons, etc. Components - dunno, anything you don't mind getting mud in and eventually replacing. You will probably want a crankset that allows rings lower than 39. I like the Time ATAC pedals, SPDs clog up. Other cross necessities: Cowbell Beer Duct tape Ben p.s. the duct tape is for your shoes, you filthy minded preverts. |
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