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Cross - tell me everything

Chris GChris G
in Community Forum 🏠

 After hearing that you can actually win your weight in beer at the Ommegang Brewery and because I can race cross pretty much every weekend in the fall within a half hour of my house I decided to take the plunge.  I think I am set on gear, bought a planet x frame and fork, have an extra set of Ultegra STI's, front and rear D's and a compact crankset.  Have some old road bars and a seat that should work.  Have a set of 32 spoke box rims and ordered some Michelin Mud 2's for them.  Have been told I will want a metal set of tubbies, that can wait for the time being to see if I actually care.  Am planning on using my old MTN bike shoes and a set of spd pedals that I have.

Figure worst case the thing will make a great nasty weather bike/ commuter

What don't I know that I want to?  Thoughts?

Looks like a cool toy:

Planet-X uncle john: planet-x uncle john

 

My wife thinks I am going to knock my front teeth out ... 

Comments

  • Kevin WalterKevin Walter
    I can't supply any experience, just support. My first cross race is scheduled for Sept 25th. I have a new Jamis Supernova to break in. Using eggbeater pedals and mt bike shoes.
  • KitbooKitboo
    What kind of brakes are on that bike? Road brakes may not have good mud clearance. Most 'cross bikes have canti brakes. Kevin's has disc brakes (which have way better stopping power thAn the cantis) but some races don't allow disc brakes.
    Consider embrocation for cold races. I like Dan Socie's stuff.
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Can't add much, other than I think I just drank my weight in beer after painting the basement floor this weekend. Man is life different when i don't have anything I'm training for...

    Might have to check out this whole cross thing...
  • Kevin WalterKevin Walter
    Cross bikes seem really popular this year. I got the Jamis (quite happy so far), because after a poll of my LBS shops they were sold out of Gary Fisher (Trek), Cannondale, Specialized, etc in my frame size and were back ordered till next year. Delivery of the Jamis was 2-days so they seem to have some stock left. According to LBS, very small product runs by all the major bike manufacturers due to the economy has led to some shortages across the board.

    So if you want to race cross or are in this market, good to start looking around.
  • Chris GChris G

     @Kitboo - it has cantibrake mounts as well as tabs for disc brakes so I think that I will be covered there.  Gonna start with Canti brakes.  The shimano ones they are selling now look exactly like the ones on my 1990 cannondale mountain bike.  Kinda funny actually.  

     

  • KitbooKitboo
    UCI is making disc brakes legal for 'cross races this season. I'm thinking about upgrading to a new frame that has disc brake mounts. I'm spoiled with my mtb disc brakes and their stopping power---friggin' HATE those canti brakes, even with the super dooper pads. More than once has my momentum overcome the stopping power of those canti brakes! Once was during a race...I ran right into the wooden stakes, ripped the yellow tape, sent spectators running for cover. Still remained upright though...and because I tore down the yellow tape I could ride right back onto the course. image
  • Chris GChris G

     No stopping power...so it will be like the POS proprietary aero useless brakes on my QR 

    I am gonna hold off on disc brakes for now.  If I get a set of cross wheels in the future I think I would go that way, at least for the front wheel.

  • HayesSanbornHayesSanborn

     These are some great skill videos:

    http://velonews.competitor.com/?tag=cyclocross+how-to

    My first race is this weekend, quickly followed by some Sunday racers. What I've learned so far at practice:

    -Different vide, very low key and friendly. Its like opposite of the Ironman vibe

    -Your skills will make or break the race. It takes a lot of practice getting the remount done, at speed, without racking yourself and clipping back into your peddles. On grass you're going to be bouncing around, its tough to find the peddles.

    -Practice 180's, apply a lot of pressure on the outside leg to get from washing out. 

    -Learning to shoulder the bike and mount the bike take some breaking in. I have a huge black and blue bruise on my inner thigh and a sore shoulder from shouldering and running with the bike. 

    -Learn to place the bike on the ground gently, otherwise you'll pop the chain right off. 

    -When dismounting, use the saddle to brace yourself and put on your hand on the top tube when suitcasing the bike or downtube when you're going for the shoulder technique. Use a inside step when unclipping so you can dismount faster. 

    Its a ton of fun. Here is last years Chicago Cross Cup video to get a feel for the vibe. 

    http://chicrosscup.com/media/

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Chris GChris G

      cool videos - I am pretty excited about this whole thing.  My frame and tires should be here by the weekend.

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