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Barkiesnake · **Posted** Thu Nov 5, 2009 4:49 pm

Hi all,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes.
I am about to do my first cyclocross race in a weeks time and as i dont want to risk trashing my best road bike i am left with a choice of 2 bikes to ride.
The first is a specialized crossroads flat bar hybrid, already fitted with off road tyres, the second is a 1973 5 speed peugeot racer with steel frame to which i can add tyres as required.
Which, in peoples opinion, would be the better choice?

http://www.sportivechallenge.blogspot.com
"If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford

GiantMike · **Posted** Thu Nov 5, 2009 10:02 pm

Use the Specialized as it's closest to a CX of your choices. You could struggle round on the Peugeot, but why would you want to?

Cranks · **Posted** Fri Nov 6, 2009 12:44 pm

Agree, go with the Spesh and just have fun for your first race Smile

Grazza82 · **Posted** Fri Nov 6, 2009 2:30 pm

Do people use the drops that much in cx races? It'd scare the bejesus out of me!

neil² · **Posted** Fri Nov 6, 2009 2:37 pm

Sponging-Machine · **Posted** Sat Nov 7, 2009 5:31 am

I did my first cross race a few weeks ago on my mtb and enjoyed it so much that I'm doing another tomorrow (cyclo-cross.org.uk). A 5" full-suss wasn't the ideal tool for the job, but I didn't come last.

What really surprised me was how welcoming everyone was. I thought people would be looking down on me a bit, being on a mtb, but everyone there was actually quite interested in the fact.

Have fun.

lfcquin · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 9:45 pm

mister biscuit · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 12:56 pm

OP: in my opinion: the hybrid spesh.
make sure the tyres you've got are at least a little bit grippy in the mud given the weather we've been having - if you've been riding the hybrid on the road, you might want to let a little bit of air out of the tyres: high pressure = slippy-slidey time.

CX is brilliant fun, don't worry about being lapped & getting muddy, and if you can think, you're not pedalling hard enough!

pedalling in squishy mud can be a bit "exciting" if you haven't ever done it, but don't worry, just point the bike in the general direction you want to go and pedal.

I'd also reccomend pre-riding the course if you can, and if there are any technical bits, practice them a few times to get your lines sorted beofre you are racing.

lfcquin: have you thought about lowering the entire cockpit by taking out a few headset spacers? that might give you the position and give you the more immediate control of the hoods.

I use the drops for flat out bits, and it's surprising how much control you do have, although it is a bit more twitchy Confused

mister biscuit · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 12:56 pm

OP: in my opinion: the hybrid spesh.
make sure the tyres you've got are at least a little bit grippy in the mud given the weather we've been having - if you've been riding the hybrid on the road, you might want to let a little bit of air out of the tyres: high pressure = slippy-slidey time.

CX is brilliant fun, don't worry about being lapped & getting muddy, and if you can think, you're not pedalling hard enough!

pedalling in squishy mud can be a bit "exciting" if you haven't ever done it, but don't worry, just point the bike in the general direction you want to go and pedal.

I'd also reccomend pre-riding the course if you can, and if there are any technical bits, practice them a few times to get your lines sorted beofre you are racing.

lfcquin: have you thought about lowering the entire cockpit by taking out a few headset spacers? that might give you the position and give you the more immediate control of the hoods.

I use the drops for flat out bits, and it's surprising how much control you do have, although it is a bit more twitchy Confused

Barkiesnake · **Posted** Mon Nov 9, 2009 1:01 pm

Thanks everyone, I am looking forward to giving it a go. If i like it i may consider another new bike but dont tell the wife eh. Very Happy

http://www.sportivechallenge.blogspot.com
"If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford

Monty Dog · **Posted** Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:03 pm

Might be too late, but depending on the course, the two most important factors are tyre choice and mud clearance. I doubt too you'd ber able to fit a proper cross tyre to your Peugeot and still have enough clearance for the brakes / mud. Run your tyres at low pressure too - not enough to pinch flat, start at 40psi and see how you get on. Most local league races have a complete range of riders from experienced racers to novices on MTBs - the field soon sorts itself out and provided you make sure you stay clear of faster riders on being lapped, you'll enjoy yourself greatly.

Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

Barkiesnake · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:00 am

Thanks for all the replies guys,
I took part in my first race yesterday and in spite of not finishing Embarassed

i had a great time.
I am now planning to do another one next month but will put cross tyres onto my spesh first as the hybrid tyres just didn't cope well at all.
I can honestly say though that that was the toughest cycling i have ever done. Very Happy

lokks like i may have to save up for a cross bike for next season.

http://www.sportivechallenge.blogspot.com
"If you think you can, or if you think you can't, your right" Henry Ford

neil² · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:03 am

Barkiesnake · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:08 am

neil² · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:17 am

Barkiesnake · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:51 am

GiantMike · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:54 pm

neil² · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:48 pm

GiantMike · **Posted** Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:17 pm

guv001 · **Posted** Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:08 pm

I was gutted when my chain snapped with only 2 laps to go of the race, all of that effort wasted.

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