Convert road bike to cross?

[bboston88]

I'm wanting to try cross this year. I'm really not wanting to buy another new bike (just bought one) so I'm wondering if anyone's converted road to cross. Most of my events will be on packed dirt/grass, nothing major. Would different breaks and tires cut it?

[SheFly]

You're gonna love 'cross .

However, the geometry of a typical road bike does not allow for easy, or any, conversion to 'cross. A 'cross-specific frame has a higher bottom bracket, and wider spacing in the rear triangle to allow for the wider, knobbier tires we use. And some of the 'cross courses in New England are not as "packed" as you might think - especially ones like Amesbury!

Do you have an MTB? my suggestion would be to try 'cross on that over a road bike...

SheFly

[bboston88]

You're gonna love 'cross .

However, the geometry of a typical road bike does not allow for easy, or any, conversion to 'cross. A 'cross-specific frame has a higher bottom bracket, and wider spacing in the rear triangle to allow for the wider, knobbier tires we use. And some of the 'cross courses in New England are not as "packed" as you might think - especially ones like Amesbury!

Do you have an MTB? my suggestion would be to try 'cross on that over a road bike...

SheFly

I don't have a MTB. Oddly enough I'm in Atlanta, Boston was my last name b/f I got married.

The surly cross check is economical if I can't convert it. I know you can make that fixed gear. Could I then take it on the track?? I need a do it all dammit!

[spokewench]

The comment made earlier was a good one. the road bike will not convert well to cross. I don't know anywhere in the country really that I would want to ride cross without a little bit of a knobby - and you need wider area in the triangle to accomodate those tires. I'm not sure there are any tires for a road bike that will work for you unless you are a damned good bike handler! You could go wider, but it would never been optimum and I think you would be totally frustrated

The track racing you are talking about is a really specific; the bikes do not have brakes, etc. So, I don't think there is any bike that can do cross that can do track. I think you really need brakes for cross! Unless you want to fred flintstone it!

I've used a mountain bike for cross, and it worked okay, but to go the other way is just probably not going to work

spoke

[bboston88]

I was just talking about the Surly frame for the track. The whole thing would have to be rebuilt for track, taking off breaks, etc.

I guess I can see if my road bike could accomodate a knobby tire. If not, we know our answer. No way would I want to do cross on skinny tires, a death wish I do not have!!

[spokewench]

I think you are in Georgia? Anyway, some velodromes have bikes they will rent - you could check into that if you want to try it to see if you like it.

[SheFly]

I don't have a MTB. Oddly enough I'm in Atlanta, Boston was my last name b/f I got married.

The surly cross check is economical if I can't convert it. I know you can make that fixed gear. Could I then take it on the track?? I need a do it all dammit!

Sorry - my bad for *assuming* on your location!

I agree with SpokeWench - not sure on the track for a Surly frame. I know our local track also rents bikes. Of course, I'm of the more bikes is better mindset, personally, but that doesn't work for everyone! Track is the one flavor I haven't tasted yet, and I am resisting like crazy - too many (is there such a thing?) bikes already!

SheFly

[Eden]

I really don't think with disciplines as far apart as cross and track I really don't think you could have one bike that does it all....

The Cross Check is a cross bike - but it could not be converted for track - the drop outs are not horizontal. There are single speed cross bikes, but I really don't know how well they would convert for use on the track.... and then you'd have to race cross with a single speed too.... it is done, but I'm not sure how much I'd suggest it for a beginner.

[bboston88]

Didn't realize the dropouts were not horizontal. trust me, I am a total "horses for courses" kind of gal and our velodrome does rent bikes. I'm desperately trying to save some $ here. I'm going to rent on the track and let my husband figure out if/when we can't convert the roadie and then go from there.
He's got a TriCross darn it!