Cross on a XC Bike?

[limewave]

There's a cyclocross race near us next weekend. It's pretty inexpensive. They have a kids race that DD might enjoy. I thought about checking it out, but I don't have a cross bike, just a ht cx bike. Would that be okay? And I know you have to get off and carry the bike at times, so do you have clipless pedals or platform pedals when you race?

[zoom-zoom]

I have been to the last 2 Kisscross races. People are on all sorts of bikes. Even some of the A race guys were on mountain bikes. There are a mix of hybrids, cross bikes, and mountain bikes. Most people have clipless, though a few have platforms.

Which race are you doing? There's one last Kisscross race the Sunday after Thanksgiving. DH is planning to do that one. It will be his 3rd ever. Yesterday was his second and he had a blast (when he wasn't coughing up a lung). Someday I'd like to give it a try...once my left ankle is better healed, which I hope will eventually be the case.

[limewave]

I have been to the last 2 Kisscross races. People are on all sorts of bikes. Even some of the A race guys were on mountain bikes. There are a mix of hybrids, cross bikes, and mountain bikes. Most people have clipless, though a few have platforms.

Which race are you doing? There's one last Kisscross race the Sunday after Thanksgiving. DH is planning to do that one. It will be his 3rd ever. Yesterday was his second and he had a blast (when he wasn't coughing up a lung). Someday I'd like to give it a try...once my left ankle is better healed, which I hope will eventually be the case.

I think the one I'm looking at is the same one you're talking about. I have it on my radar, I won't be able to commit to it until that weekend. You know how it is with kids, I'm going to plan that I'm racing and get all prepared, so that if I actually carve out the time I'll be ready to do it

[zoom-zoom]

I think the one I'm looking at is the same one you're talking about. I have it on my radar, I won't be able to commit to it until that weekend. You know how it is with kids, I'm going to plan that I'm racing and get all prepared, so that if I actually carve out the time I'll be ready to do it

Yup! The beauty of these races is how low-key they are...you show up, register, get some fun swag, then ride. We'll be there with the world's biggest cowbell.

[SheFly]

Don't be afraid to do a cx race on your MTB! I've been beaten by people on their mountain bikes in cross races... Keep your clipless pedals on for the race - you don't really want to use platforms. The biggest challenge will be in carrying the bike, but if it is reasonably light, you won't have a problem.

Have FUN! Cross is supposed to be about fun, and it doesn't matter what you race on!

SheFly

[SpeedyChix]

There's a cyclocross race near us next weekend. It's pretty inexpensive. They have a kids race that DD might enjoy. I thought about checking it out, but I don't have a cross bike, just a ht cx bike. Would that be okay? And I know you have to get off and carry the bike at times, so do you have clipless pedals or platform pedals when you race?

MTB is fine for almost all cross races. Some events require you to remove bar ends but that's about it. Hybrid bikes would generally work too.

Clipless pedals (as long as you're used to them)

[smurfalicious]

Doooo it! Cross is about 2 things that I can think about: beer and cowbells. The beer helps you race and encourages you to ring the cowbell more. You just ride around in the mud for 45 minutes to keep the line at the beer tent shorter. These race organizers have thought of everything!

On bikes, see the following:



They even make flat bar cross bikes, clearly people like um and they work. I know some hardcore boys that ride rigid single speeds. I know a punk who built a Campy cross bike just to make old Tullio roll over in his grave. What matters is what you're comfortable on and whatcha got in the garage.

Sure there's a contingent of cross racers who get all super serious about their gear and they're awesome and it's their primary focus so good on um. Then, there are who wouldn't mind winning but just wanna have fun. So long as you're in that group, rock the hardtail! With streamers in your handlebars! Or be like this dude:



I wish I could find the pics from that race, there are more of him, one with a guy in a French maid costume giving him a funny look. Really, guy in a French maid costume?

[jdubble]

I wish I could find the pics from that race, there are more of him, one with a guy in a French maid costume giving him a funny look. Really, guy in a French maid costume?

if it helps to search for 'em, that would've been from the Cross Crusade race in Astoria in 2008, if i'm not mistaken.

[smurfalicious]

Score!




See, run whatcha brought witha ya. Applies to bikes as well as it does rodeo.

[JennK13]

I don't know....those 8 year old little girls on the pink barbie bikes with pigtails kick my butt in 'cross!