cyclocross fixie?
Thread started by
tortuga_veloce at 02.16.09 - 9:58 pm
i'd like to do some mountain riding this summer, but the two bikes i currently have are completely designed for city riding. i was thinking of converting my fixie into a bootleg cyclocross bike.
what would be the drawbacks of simply swapping the tires? i have deep v's, which take a 23 pretty snugly, so on my narrow rims, im concerned that a 700x30 cyclocross tire might be too big. should i just think about building a second wheelset? what do you think about fixed gear cyclocross? and gearing: is a 46x16 too strong for climbing?
any advice appreciated.
reply
get a second wheelset, while the deepv's will accept a cross tire, they're way heavier than you need for a cross ride, and the extra weight sucks big time when climbing, lace mavic open pro's so some fixed hubs and you're good to go, Also, that way you can have dedicated cross wheels and not have to go through the hassle of switching out tires all the time. (i've done it, it's lame...)
46X16 is way way way too heavy for cross riding/climbing. Most cx'ers are running somewhere around 2:1 (42:20, 34:17..etc), maybe a little larger if you can't spin well...
e-rock02.16.09 - 10:22 pm
reply
also, before even getting into all this mumbo jumbo, make sure you have room for the tires, (if you're running caliper brakes on the front, you dont...)
e-rock02.16.09 - 10:23 pm
reply
Also a good idea to have two brakes, front one being cantilever for extra strength.
'cross is fun.
sleepy02.16.09 - 11:23 pm
reply
WHY is everyone so down on freewheels?
for the life of me I cannot understand.
la duderina02.17.09 - 2:11 am
reply
they are all compensating for something.
fixie riders don't stop pedaling cuz they can't
REAL riders don't stop pedaling cuz WE WON'T
boo yah!
no offense. just sayin.
la duderina02.17.09 - 2:43 am
reply
I would like to say that it's most likely for the discipline of maintaining momentum, to not get lazy, perhaps.
I get the same satisfaction from burning up on the gym's "elleptical" every night or two.
This could probably be also akin to the way I heard some LE agencies train their bicycle-patrols.
Bitch at them every time they drop down into the saddle, or even remove it from the bike after repeated offense!!!
bentstrider02.17.09 - 5:52 am
reply
there are no dead spots in my chain + i have better cadence.
ruinedbyidiots02.17.09 - 8:16 am
reply
yeah def check frame clearance, that, above the type of rim you got, will dictate what size tire you can have.....
if you are ridding non-competitively than you can get away with the deep-v's but might have issues on how wide a tire you can have.
also def gear down and put some front and rear brakes on. coming down a steep hill and only having a front brake will def find you flying over the bars. also remember that you are riding on dirt and that a skid wont slow you down as quick...or at all...so def have a rear brake. that is unless your jedi bike skill are really locked in! but even so you still have to contend with hikers, off-leash dogs, and equestrian riders coming up on you.
FYI there is a fixed gear/ss class if you want to race next fall...usually fun to watch and not as many people race in it...some argue that you are faster on the dismount and remount riding fixed.
bicioso02.17.09 - 9:40 am
reply
a front brake will not make you flip over the bars while going down a hill, and deep vs will not make it so wider tires cant be run on your bike. thats all due to frame and fork clearances. i ran 700x28 armadillos on deep vs and had no problems with clearances at all.
your best bet is to go to the kitchen or oven or a thrift store and find an old road bike that has 27" wheels and make a conversion. dont use the 27" hoops though, obviously.
this fixed cross bike belongs to cityhobogoblin.
ruinedbyidiots02.17.09 - 9:45 am
reply
you are right...a front brake will not make you flip over the bars.
coming down a steep hill or into a ravine and improperly applying the brakes (meaning not leaning the fuck back beyond your saddle like you are doing a toboggan) def will. all of which you may or may not come across depending on the terrain you are riding.
which if you are, than you are more than likely riding single track and not fire roads, which opens up another door or obstacles beyond you braking.
bicioso02.17.09 - 10:01 am
reply
Try fixed off road and you'll quickly see how dumb it is. You're asking for an accident, or be forced to ride slow and petrified the whole time. What's the point?
0gravity02.17.09 - 12:40 pm
reply
ive ridden brakeless fixed off road numerous times (with slicks no less) and was never scared. maybe you should learn how to control your bike better?
ruinedbyidiots02.17.09 - 12:44 pm
reply
I CAN control my bike better, because I use brakes and a freewheel when mountain biking. Just cuz you can do something doesn't mean you or anyone else should. Please, all of ya'll, be my guest, I'd love to see the local trails filled with dudes struggling needlessly on fixies. It would be hoot.
0gravity02.17.09 - 1:02 pm
reply
RBI's right!
Aero front wheel, top tube pad, and NO BRAKES if you want dirt cred.
This sounds like something I would love to see!!!
:-D
User102.17.09 - 1:11 pm
reply
There's not enough graphics on that bike!
ZZZZzzzzzzzz
zzzzzz
zzzzzzzZZZZzzzz
User102.17.09 - 1:43 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
