Newbie...Lots of questions

[Fuji Mommy]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have a couple more questions though now. Like I said earlier, I am completely new to this whole biking thing so bare with me. Could you explain lugged soles and hard-tail mountain bikes? I have clipless pedals on my road bike but I use mountain bike shoes so would those be considered lugged soles? Also, I have a mountain bike but I have no idea if it is a hard-tail or not. All I know is that I tried to pick the thing up to see if I would be able to run with it or not and oh my was it heavy!

Sarah

[Voodoo Sally]

No problem. A lugged sole is one that is knobby, for increased traction. If you have mountain bike shoes, chances are that they have lugged soles.

A hard-tail mountain bike is one that has no rear-end shock absorber. Many mountain bikes these days have a rear shock, which is nice, but it makes the bike heavier, and isn't necessary for 'cross. It sounds like your mountain bike is heavy, and you therefore you probably wouldn't want to haul it on a 'cross course.

[velogirl]

actually, even if you switch brakes, you probably still won't be able to mount cross tires on your road bike -- there most likely won't be clearance at the seat tube and/or chain stays and fork for the larger cross tires.

but, depending on your courses, I've seen road bikes race cyclocross -- crazy if you ask me, but it can work if you don't have super-loose or rocky/rooty courses. here in northern california, some of our courses are pretty flat, hard-packed and fast (and typically dry until at least December).

[Voodoo Sally]

actually, even if you switch brakes, you probably still won't be able to mount cross tires on your road bike -- there most likely won't be clearance at the seat tube and/or chain stays and fork for the larger cross tires.

Good point. I got to wondering about that.

[cwodiva]

as far as racing goes, cross is one of the easiest sports to get started in. The only pressure really is the pressure you put on yourself. There are beginning fields, and you can pretty much race it at your own pace. (not like road racing at all) There are some heavy duty people out there, but the majority of people are doing it for fun. Maybe your local LBS can loan you a bike? I had a friend loan me one for the first few races, until I got my own. My first cross bike (all I had was a road bike, no mountain bike) was a used bike for $400. It lasted for two seasons and was great fun.

Steph

[Kalidurga]

This is a link I found a year or so ago so I don't know how current or accurate all of the info about UCI rules, etc, is, but it includes some good female-oriented tips for buying a 'cross bike or putting together a getto-'crosser: Cyclocross for Smaller Riders. Check out the photo of her flying re-mount!

[Tuckervill]

hijack: What IS cyclocross exactly? What makes it different from mountain bike racing?

I'd be really surprised if there are any events in my area, but it'd be fun to find out.

ETA: Never mind. I wiki'd it.

I was right about there not being anything in my area. Apparently you need winter.

Karen