Adjusting to Cyclocross

[inkspot]

I'm not really a newbie to cycling, as I've been riding a mountain bike for the better part of the last three decades However, I have just made the switch to a Specialized Tricross (which I LOVE!) and was wondering if anyone had any advice for getting used to riding a more road-like bike after being used to the stability of a big, beefy mountain bike. Thanks in advance!

[out_spokin']

I'm not coming from big beefy, but most years I let the road bike sit a while in the winter and only ride the MTB-style commuter. The first road bike rides each season can feel weird...

My best advice is to go easy, give yourself time and/or space (I often head to the path first before doing some of the more heavily trafficked rides) and definitely try little skills drills. For example I will use sticks, big leafs, etc. as an excuse to create an imaginary obstacle course to get used to the different handling. I'll also ride a particularly hilly short course early in the day before the cars take over, and do it a bunch of days in a row, just to get the hang of descending in the drops smoothly and confidently. Climbing, well, that always seems to come naturally.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, in what ways are you feeling unstable?

I'd suggest, first, that you make sure the bike is set up properly for your body and riding preferences. Being balanced on the bike fore and aft will contribute to your sense of stability and give you better handling. A smooth pedal stroke, relatively fast cadence (I'd suggest 80 to 90 rpm as a starting place, but you might need to work up to that) and a relaxed upper body (don't grib the bars) will help.

Those are the things that occur to me off the top of my head. Mostly, it just takes practice.

[JennK13]

I went from a Trek Navigator (an upright comfort bike) and a Giant Transend (an upright commuter), to a Fuji Cross Comp CX bike. It did feel wierd to me at first, I had never been in drops in before, and being spread out like that made me feel really unstable. I don't think I rode on my hoods for probably 3 months after getting it, and didn't go into the drops until maybe 6 months after having it ( I have brakes on my shifters and across the straight part of my drops ). Being in that position with skinnier tires is just totally different, but you get used to it. The only way is to ride!!
Recently I got really crazy - I swapped out my stock wheelset with the knobbie tires on it for Easton EA90 wheels with 700x23 slicks on them!! Ok, that only took about 10 minutes to get used to, mostly the extra speed I now have

[warneral]

I started developing quite a bit of anxiety/fear about road biking when I first got my road bike this summer. I took some time away but that didn't help! I ended up finding a hilly-ish route that was 8 miles. I started riding it every day (nearly). This really helped me build confidence, endurance on hills, and improvement in skills & stability. A month later and I can easily ride 30 miles (albeit slowly). I really think it helped to just do something familiar and get in a groove.

[JennK13]

As an update to my prior post, I haven't been in the dirt all summer, with the exception of one mountain bike ride. I've been doing mostly road riding with slicks on my cross bike. I just got my new cross tires Monday, switched my wheels and hit the dirt last night - wow! That seemed different!
I definitely have to air down my tires for a little more float, and work on my gearing in the loose stuff. I fishtailed a couple of times, and on the uphills I kept spinning out on my downstrokes. Hoping the airing down will help some with these. But, I just have to ride to get used to it again

[inkspot]

Thank you all for your input! I have adjusted my seat height (thank you indysteel, as this made a big difference!) and have just spent a lot of time riding and tackling challenging curves and hills. I'm still a little hesitant around some corners (nothing new for me - no depth perception!), but I feel pretty much at home on the bike now. I'm loving the hoods (way more comfy than my mtn bike!) but the drops are going to take a LOT of getting used to! I usually ride at least 25 km each weekday (I use it to commute), more on the weekends, and I've just signed up to ride a century on October 2. Should be a good breaking-in opportunity!

Thanks again for all the helpful advice!

[Biking Bella]

I'm not really a newbie to cycling, as I've been riding a mountain bike for the better part of the last three decades However, I have just made the switch to a Specialized Tricross (which I LOVE!) and was wondering if anyone had any advice for getting used to riding a more road-like bike after being used to the stability of a big, beefy mountain bike. Thanks in advance!

Hi there! I'm looking at the Specialized Tricross bike also. What do you LOVE about it? What type of terrain are you typically ride on? How are handling the transition to drop bars (if you had flat ones before)?

[inkspot]

Hi there! I'm looking at the Specialized Tricross bike also. What do you LOVE about it? What type of terrain are you typically ride on? How are handling the transition to drop bars (if you had flat ones before)?

Hi Biking Bella! I love the fit of the bike (thanks to the amazing guys at my LBS!) - I sit in a more forward position than I do on my mountain bike which I find more comfortable for long distances. I like the greater speed, maneuverability, and the lighter weight of the Tricross. I typically ride more on paved paths and city streets, but I have done a fair bit of riding on both dirt and gravel trails lately. The Tricross handles well on all these surfaces.

The transition to the drop bars was a little challenging at first, but I find I like them more than the flat bars on my mtn bike. At first I felt like I had less control over my balance with the drops, but I adjusted fairly quickly (after forcing myself to ride in the drops rather than on the flat). They put me into a more comfortable position, and now I feel like I have greater control with my hands on the hoods rather than on the flat.

Hope this helps!

[Biking Bella]

It helps a lot!

I actually had the chance to ride a Tricross versus a Trek 7.2 FX this weekend at my LBS. To me, they were like two different bikes with the noticeable focus on the bars, brakes, and shifters. So I didn't really know how to compare.

I would be new to drops also as I have ridden mnt bikes in the past (~6 years ago). When testing the Tricross, I noticed that I wobbled since I wasn't too used to the handling of the drop bars, but the shifting and breaking was easy enough. Also, the posture was different that I knew from the past. All things that I know I can conquer if I practiced on the bike more.

The Trek 7.2 FX just felt, cheaper/easier...? I wasn't impressed with the shifters, that's for sure, and I didn't feel like there was much of a challenge. I suppose the question is should biking feel like a challenge at this point in our lives? haha. I know I picked up snowboarding because I thought skiing was easy. Who knows.

I would like to also look at these hybrids/cyclocross bikes, any thoughts?:

• Jamis Allegro 2
• Trek 7.3 FX
• Giant Rapid 3
• Specialized Sirrus Elite
• Cannondale Quick 3
• Giant TCX 2
• Specialized Tricross

Also it might be worth noting that our surface riding matches it seems - mostly road, but also trails in the mix...maybe a 75:25 split, respectively.

Thanks!

[inkspot]

I understand what you mean about the Trek not feeling like much of a challenge. I personally like challenge, and felt a bit disappointed with it myself, and I like Trek typically!

I took a look at a couple of the bikes on your list when I was looking. The Giant bikes weren't a very good fit for me - I'm generally short all over, and I found them too much of a stretch, even with adjustments. I also tried the Cannondale and I liked it, overall, but found that the Specialized was just a better fit for me. I found the guys at the LBS were instrumental in helping me make my decision - they adjusted the bikes, checked my positioning, and were able to point out problems with fit that I couldn't feel (yet!). When I hopped on the Tricross it just felt right, even without adjusting, and the guy fitting me even said he was surprised that it was so good a fit. If I can give you any advice, it would be to get to know the folks at the LBS and get them to give you all the fit advice they can when you try out the bikes! Happy hunting, and I hope you find your perfect fit!

[Catrin]

I had a Trek 7.6 FX this year - I learned how to ride on it, but it just was too long for me and I eventually sold it.

The shifters never did work well, and they were adjusted many, many times by two different LBS. Indeed they kept rehanging the RD and changed out the cables at least 4 different times. The brakes were quite soft - which I did not realize until I had another bike with which to compare. My current LBS head wrench said that Trek builds in something or another, I forget what he called it, into the brake system to prevent skidding.

I know you are looking at a Trek FX that is lower in the series, but thought this might be helpful to you.

[Biking Bella]

I had a Trek 7.6 FX this year - I learned how to ride on it, but it just was too long for me and I eventually sold it.

The shifters never did work well, and they were adjusted many, many times by two different LBS. Indeed they kept rehanging the RD and changed out the cables at least 4 different times. The brakes were quite soft - which I did not realize until I had another bike with which to compare. My current LBS head wrench said that Trek builds in something or another, I forget what he called it, into the brake system to prevent skidding.

I know you are looking at a Trek FX that is lower in the series, but thought this might be helpful to you.

Thanks a lot for this information Catrin! Definitely a good piece of info to know as I'm going through this research and purchasing process!

[Catrin]

To be fair, I must say that my experience with the Trek 7.6 was not the standard - and I would hope it was not. It is, after all, almost the top of the 7 FX line...