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jay22, on 12 September 2012 - 12:46 PM, said:
I'd like to try some cross racing this fall, but only have an old road bike to use. Is it a waste of time to try and use the road bike if I just put the biggest tires that fit, change the pedals, and swap the brakes? If I stay away from the muddier courses, will this setup get me through a few races, or will it just end in misery?
Newbie, CX is never a waste of time. Nothing crazy about running the bike you have. I raced two seasons on an old school, steel Fuji touring bike from the 80's. Originally had 27’s on it, swapped out with 700’s with a set of Speed King 35 mm. Left the original side-pull road brakes, gearing, narrow bars, and down tube shifters. Ran great in most races, and was manageable in snow and mud. Every now and again a dry leaf would get caught up in the fork and the sound would drive me crazy, but most races around here tend to be dry and fast. Besides, even if we do get rain, mud slows everybody down, even the guys on their expensive carbon whatever CX specific bikes.
The whole point of CX is that you are having fun. Of course there is a whole industry built around spending your money on things you don’t need, but don’t be intimated by whether or not you have the right equipment. Go to the Team Rev clinic and enjoy your introduction to the sport. Enjoy the adventure. No special equipment needed!
