cyclocross

[BikeMomma]

Jeff's on it. Stay tuned.

Susan

Sweet....thanks Susan & Jeff. You're awesome!

~BikeMomma

[velogirl]

I don't of any women's specific cross bikes, but here's a link to one of my fave little people -- Kerry Litka. She's got parts of her website dedicated to small riders and cyclocross as well. Custom is definitely a good option if you're very small.

My first cross bike was a Lemond Poprad which I bought in 2001 simply to commute (I had never planned to race cross). One of my teammates now races on it even though it weighs about as much as a car. The new Poprads are much lighter and nicer, with a carbon fork and disk brakes.

My second cross bike was a custom Luna Orbit. I raced it two seasons and then converted it to a single speed cross bike and raced that last season. I'm now trying to sell it if anyone's interested. It's beautiful and super-light, but it's got toe overlap and I hate that (and I'm 5' 10").

My third cross bike was a Ritchey steel Break-Away, which I actually bought with the intention of touring with it (but it didn't arrive in time for my tour). So, I kept it and raced on it most of last season. I just sold the frame tonight.

My current cross bike is a Ritchey titanium Break-Away. It was the prototype frame that Ritchey used for InterBike and other trade shows and I was very fortunate to get it for cross nationals last year. Very cool, super light, and rides like a dream! I think it's a keeper (at least for a while). The only down side is that it's very boring looking because it's just brushed titanium (and most cross bikes are painted crazy-bright colors). So I'm adding some pink bits here and there to liven it up -- pink Candy pedals, pink Fizik Arione saddle, pink rims. Looks much more fun now.

During cross season, I retire my road bike and ride my cross bike on the road. I have a second wheel-set that I throw on (with road tires -- 23s).

I have a lot of bikes. It's a bit overwhelming sometimes. I see clients at my home where most of my bikes are stored and one question I almost always get is "which one is your favorite." I don't have a favorite -- they all serve a very different purpose. But, if I only had one bike, it would be a cyclocross bike. They're so darn versatile, especially if you get one with eyelets for racks (so you could tour with it). I know a couple of road racers who race road on their cross bikes. And we ride mtn bike trails on them all the time (there are occassional gearing issues, but most stuff is rideable).

[bikerHen]

Velogirl, Can you tell me a little more about riding on a titanium frame? Heavy or light? Smooth or bumpy? I'm looking at Redlines titanium frame for the bike I want to have built. What I've read sound good, but I've never ridden on one. The geometry of the Redline frame is close to my current ride, so the LBS owner thinks it would be a good choice. It is boring to look at! Can you paint titanium? bikerHen

[velogirl]

You can definitely paint titanium, but most folks don't do it. I won't do it to the Ritchey because the logos are etched/engraved on and it looks kinda cool.

Ti is great. I've had one ti road bike and my current hardtail mtn bike is ti as well. It's the best of both worlds -- lightweight like aluminum but solid-feeling like steel. No frame material would be truly damping on a cross course (which in CA is typically hard and bumpy), but on the road you'll feel super-comfortable on ti. My ti road bike is the most stable descender I've ever ridden -- it's rock solid. Yet it feels quick and light too.

If you can afford it, ti is a great frame material. BTW, ti frames are going up in price apparently (I only overheard the conversation at the shop).