01-27-2007, 11:08 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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| | Re: 700C or 29" "cyclocross?"
In article <45bc2bd6$0$16955$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
"Gooserider" <Gooserider@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> <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.
That Ibex looks like a smokin deal, though the Motobecane does come with
a 9-speed Tiagra setup.
For my money, the Ibex is surely the better value, and with the triple
will satisfy your granny needs. That looks to be an indestructible
little machine.
It's not certain, but most 'cross bikes can run pretty fat _slick_
tires. If you're really doing 90% of your riding on the road, then a
'cross bike with slicks (or very un-knobby knobbies) is likely the best
choice. It's hard to ride a truly slick-tired bike on a muddy path, but
slick tires work acceptably well on gravel, and I think you should bias
your tires to work really well on the surface you do 90% of your riding
on.
Given your needs, I think that unless there's a really cheap 29er out
there you have your eye on, that this Ibex is about the best route.
It isn't the only CX triple: many low-end or do-all CX bikes also have
triples. The Kona Jake, for example, is a close match to the Ibex in
spec, right down to the triple.
However, if you move up to the racier Jake the Snake, you get two rings
up front.
But dang, that Ibex is cheap!
--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@sfu.ca http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos
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