Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

01-27-2007, 07:51 PM

<anon_a_mouse@msn.com> wrote in message
news:1169946109.682789.207130@m58g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com...
>I think my MTB has had it, and since its 17 yrs. old and doesn't fit
> properly, its time to move on. At least 90% of my riding is on the
> road -- partially because I'm too much of a klutz for the technical
> stuff. Therefore, since I don't really do the rough stuff -- and I
> just prefer the fit of a road bar -- I decided to go for a cyclocross
> bike. Thing I'm still debating is if it would be better to get a
> regular cross bike, or get a 29er MTB frame and build it up with a
> road bar/components. Since there's no suspension, I'd prefer the
> larger tires of a 29er. Also, I definately need the granny gears.
> (The cross bikes I've seen seem to all have something like 38/48
> chainrings. Do any of them have lower gearing?)Since I'll only be
> using it a few times a month, I don't want to -- nor can I afford to --
> spend a whole lot. Any suggestions . . . ?

Are you handy enough to set up a new bike---tune the derailleurs and such?
Then there are some deals to be had in cyclocross bikes.

Motobecane Fantom Cross---$795 from Bikes Direct
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...reorder100.htm

Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com
http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/X-RAY-SPT-Details.html

The Ibex has a triple, while the Motobecane has a double. I like the looks
of the Ibex better, because the wheels are sturdier. They appear to be 36h,
while the Motobecane has low spoke count. Either bike should be good for
your intended purpose. Unless, of course, you want to build up a Surly
Karate Monkey with a drop bar:

http://www.surlybikes.com/karatemonkey.html

I think a KM with discs, fenders, and a drop bar would make a heck of a foul
weather commuter.

01-27-2007, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gooserider Posts: n/a	Re: 700C or 29" "cyclocross?" <anon_a_mouse@msn.com> wrote in message news:1169946109.682789.207130@m58g2000cwm.googlegr oups.com... >I think my MTB has had it, and since its 17 yrs. old and doesn't fit > properly, its time to move on. At least 90% of my riding is on the > road -- partially because I'm too much of a klutz for the technical > stuff. Therefore, since I don't really do the rough stuff -- and I > just prefer the fit of a road bar -- I decided to go for a cyclocross > bike. Thing I'm still debating is if it would be better to get a > regular cross bike, or get a 29er MTB frame and build it up with a > road bar/components. Since there's no suspension, I'd prefer the > larger tires of a 29er. Also, I definately need the granny gears. > (The cross bikes I've seen seem to all have something like 38/48 > chainrings. Do any of them have lower gearing?)Since I'll only be > using it a few times a month, I don't want to -- nor can I afford to -- > spend a whole lot. Any suggestions . . . ? Are you handy enough to set up a new bike---tune the derailleurs and such? Then there are some deals to be had in cyclocross bikes. Motobecane Fantom Cross---$795 from Bikes Direct http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...reorder100.htm Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/X-RAY-SPT-Details.html The Ibex has a triple, while the Motobecane has a double. I like the looks of the Ibex better, because the wheels are sturdier. They appear to be 36h, while the Motobecane has low spoke count. Either bike should be good for your intended purpose. Unless, of course, you want to build up a Surly Karate Monkey with a drop bar: http://www.surlybikes.com/karatemonkey.html I think a KM with discs, fenders, and a drop bar would make a heck of a foul weather commuter.