Got the bike, now what...

[silver]

oh, since I know very little about Cross bikes....give me a quick primer on the geometric and component differences from a road and tri/TT bike, please

[Mr. SR500]

Silver, Come to the dark side...

Yes, the Bianchi is gone, so no more Campy for me, finally standardized on Shimano 10 speed. Seemed silly to have 2 regular road bikes. The Cannondale is a great rain/backup bike, but adds the ability to cyclocross. It has cantilever brakes and room for fenders if you want.

The geometry is a slack compared to a regular road bike, and super slack compared to a TT bike. My saddle is a bit lower, my handle bar/seat drop is about the same, but typically it's not as extreme, also top tube + stem is a bit shorter then my Madone. My Madone is a 60, the TTX is a large, and the Cannondale is a 56.

I'm currently running a 105 drive train with a 36/46 12/27 combo. Seems to work great.

The awesome thing is about cross bikes is the value, tons of great choices in the $1,500 range. Cannondale, Kona, Salsa, Specialized, Giant, Trek, etc... I lost some weight by running my RaceXLites wheels, and will likely switch to a BB30 crankset and loose another 2/3 lb.

I hope to race for fun sometime, but having a blast on the college's cross county course. 4 laps takes about 48 minutes and is a serious workout. So nice when you don't have time for a 40 mile ride. Your total body is working, dismounts, running, bike control, etc... Great cross training!

Silver, try it you will love it! Number of women is really growing, and Louisville has one of the best courses around!

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZOa_E9Qs8

[tjf9]

That video is of Cross Crusade here in Portland. Are they all that crazy? I wasn't sure if the level of insanity in that film was unique to Portland or if cross worldwide is like that?

[Kalidurga]

Once you go 'cross, you never go back. I'm beyond ready to upgrade from my Tri-Cross Sport, and when I do it'll be for another 'cross bike because I can ride it ANYWHERE (aside from rocky mtb trails, tried that last year and almost shook some fillings out of my teeth). I hadn't considered Cannondale, but yours is so pretty that now I may need to go check out their sizes and geometry.

That Portland Cross Crusade looks like a blast. The races here in the DC/B'more area aren't quite that wild yet.

[Mr. SR500]

Once you go 'cross, you never go back. I'm beyond ready to upgrade from my Tri-Cross Sport, and when I do it'll be for another 'cross bike because I can ride it ANYWHERE (aside from rocky mtb trails, tried that last year and almost shook some fillings out of my teeth). I hadn't considered Cannondale, but yours is so pretty that now I may need to go check out their sizes and geometry.

That Portland Cross Crusade looks like a blast. The races here in the DC/B'more area aren't quite that wild yet.

I think Cannondale makes great cross bikes - but I'm a bit bias. They have 2 basic frames and multiple groups. Unfortunately, to get my '09 CAAD 9 CX frame in a '10 they upgraded the groupo and added about $1000. They still have CAAD 8 based frame at the entry level, but I really like the 9 frame. They run big, but lifetime warranty for a stiff & light US built frame.

P.S. My LBS just got a Tri-Cross Single Speed in, looks like a blast for a flatter course...

[Sheesh]

I'm surprised by the lack of racing in Indiana!

http://cxmagazine.com/national-cyclo...-races-clinics

You've definitely got to come to Chicago. Many of our courses are dry with lots of grass, but last year they started getting creative, which made the courses much more enjoyable with more variation.

I'm riding a Cannondale this year, and LOVE it. Compared to my Redline, it is much sturdier and more comfortable. It handles beautifully.

[Mr. SR500]

That video is of Cross Crusade here in Portland. Are they all that crazy? I wasn't sure if the level of insanity in that film was unique to Portland or if cross worldwide is like that?

Midwest cross seems much less - muddy. Lots of grass, sand pit, barriers, run -ups, etc... They had rain last Sunday in Cincinnati so it got nice and muddy, but isn't the norm like in the Northwest.

Love the video!

[radicalrye]

Midwest cross seems much less - muddy. Lots of grass, sand pit, barriers, run -ups, etc... They had rain last Sunday in Cincinnati so it got nice and muddy, but isn't the norm like in the Northwest.

Love the video!

I dunno up here in Wisco we have some pretty gnarly conditions. We've had quite a few races get canceled this year because there ends up being a giant lake of muddy water from all the rain. There usually ends up being some non-official race in a different, but equally muddy location.

I'm not a cross racer yet, but have lots of friends that do it. I'm waiting to get a new bike in the spring. Then i'll ride all summer and hope I can start competing! We have a lot of female racers and it's pretty big around Madison and Milwaukee.

We even have our own women's off road biking association. It's a really awesome biking community here.

I'd have to say we between Oregon and Wisconsin I don't know who's crazier about the sport haha.

[SR500]

Did my first race last weekend, had a blast. Wasn't last and finished! Seriously great time on a bike, racing again in a couple weeks in Indy - can't wait!

[TrekJeni]

Did my first race last weekend, had a blast. Wasn't last and finished! Seriously great time on a bike, racing again in a couple weeks in Indy - can't wait!

Awesome! I've raced OVCX the last three years. Took Women's 3/4 overall 2nd place 2 years ago and 3rd overall last year. This year I got sick with bronchitis and a bacterial infection in my lungs right after the UCI weekend and am so far behind in the points it's not even funny. Skipped Lexington today to ride Versailles on the mtb with all my friends as it was way too nice out to ride cross.

Practice running stairs. Brookside's got a bunch of them! Hope to see you there.

[tjf9]

Did my first race last weekend, had a blast. Wasn't last and finished! Seriously great time on a bike, racing again in a couple weeks in Indy - can't wait!

Good on ya for getting out there and racing your beautiful bike. Congrats on your not-last finish!

[krisl6]

Wow that's one nice lookin cross bike! I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard now! LOL