700C or 29" "cyclocross?"

01-27-2007, 04:01 PM

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 . . . ?

01-27-2007, 04:36 PM

In article <1169946109.682789.207130@m58g2000cwm.googlegroups .com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

> 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 . . . ?

Do the 29er, baby!

--
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Vegan Reich!
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

01-27-2007, 07:51 PM

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

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:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

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

01-27-2007, 08:15 PM

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 23:51:43 -0500, Gooserider typed:

> Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Hot damn! If I'd known about that deal in August, I'd likely not be riding
my Redline 925 fixie as my city hucker--and I just love my 925. Add some
Freddy Fenders and that's a brilliant do everything bike. Two fork eyelets
on each side, now we're talking. Non fussy 8spd drivetrain with stupid
cheap spares for when they get trashed over the winter. Nice. Oryx cantis.
Mmmmm. I love cantis. Even the tires are a smart spec. Ritchey Speedmax
isn't my first choice, but it's at least fairly quiet on the road and you
can do fire roads on it if you're careful. :-D

Looks good!

01-27-2007, 11:08 PM

In article <45bc2bd6$0$16955$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> 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
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
>
> 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 [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

01-28-2007, 05:28 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

>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 . . . ?

You'd be a lot better going with a bike designed for drop bars than
trying to force a MTB to work with them. Perhaps you'd get lucky and
the geometry would work for your particular fit issues - but maybe
not. There are plenty of places that'll build up a 'cross bikes to
the specs you want, including MTB gearing, though doing so will no
doubt cost more than some of the suggestions you've gotten from
others.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Home of the $795 ti frame

01-28-2007, 06:02 AM

A cross bike will handle mild to moderate trails as well as a mTB. If
you put moderate tires on it you be fine on the road and in light off
road. My C'dale xr800 came with the green wildgripper sprints- they
were fast on road and hooked up off road plus looked great. After one
got a slice I was unable to find the green ones anywhere. Mythos
Slick work great off road but a but slow on road. Geax Revert is good
both on and off road . I just put on some Panaracer Urban Max since I
just moved and there are no trails near by. I used to be near the
D&Rcanal (AWESOME ride). The $499 Ibex has very low end
components .The Motobecane Fantom is a better bet. Triples arent
needed. MTB's are heavy but I can climb most hills with just a double
on the cross bike. Dont bother eith 29 . They are just a trend and
parts,tires etc are costly compared to 700c.

On Jan 28, 3:08 am, Ryan Cousineau <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> In article <45bc2bd6$0$16955$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
>
>
>
>
>
> "Gooserider" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> > <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> >news:1169946109.682789.207130@m58g2000cwm.googleg roups.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
> >[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
>
> > Ibex X-Ray Sport----$499 plus shipping from Ibexbikes.com
> >[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
>
> > 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 rcous...@sfu.cahttp://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- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -

01-28-2007, 07:06 AM

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1169996579.233635.49200@j27g2000cwj.googlegro ups.com...
>A cross bike will handle mild to moderate trails as well as a mTB. If
> you put moderate tires on it you be fine on the road and in light off
> road. My C'dale xr800 came with the green wildgripper sprints- they
> were fast on road and hooked up off road plus looked great. After one
> got a slice I was unable to find the green ones anywhere. Mythos
> Slick work great off road but a but slow on road. Geax Revert is good
> both on and off road . I just put on some Panaracer Urban Max since I
> just moved and there are no trails near by. I used to be near the
> D&Rcanal (AWESOME ride). The $499 Ibex has very low end
> components .The Motobecane Fantom is a better bet. Triples arent
> needed. MTB's are heavy but I can climb most hills with just a double
> on the cross bike. Dont bother eith 29 . They are just a trend and
> parts,tires etc are costly compared to 700c.
>
>

I purchased an Ibex Corrida in 2002. It has even lower end components than
the 'cross bike. We're talking Shimano 3300---but it's worked flawlessly.
The Corrida is my grocery getter, so it's frequently dirty and abused. It
gets ridden in the rain, taken offroad, locked to racks, and generally
beaten on. It's never so much as even missed a shift.

The OP stated that he wanted "granny gears" and that he couldn't afford to
spend a lot on a new bike. The Ibex seems to fit his needs perfectly. I
happen to think the Motobecane looks like a heck of a deal also, but the
wheels are suspect(I like lots of spokes), and the bike screams "STEAL ME".

A Surly Karate Monkey set up with a drop bar, discs, and fenders would make
a NICE foul weather commuter, though.