[SpartyGirl]

<p>Found a cyclocross series in GA that looks kind of cool, opportunities for Cat 4 women (about 8-10 women per race last year)...has me thinking of stepping outside the box and playing with bikes on grass since the roads down here kind of unnerve me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway...probably nothing for this fall as the $$ is still tight, but I'm thinking ahead to 2011. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thoughts on frames?  Wheels?  Not looking to spend a bunch, trying to see how cheap I can go just to try it out. </p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Now you are a mother = more brave!  Love the energy bubbling up inside you, girlfriend.  I am not planning to buy any cross bike, but planning to try a cross race with my (son's) MTB.  Carrying it over obstacles and such scares me, but hey girls just wanna have fun.<br>
 </p>
<p>Good luck with preparing for it!</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SpartyGirl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69331/cyclocross-low-end-beginner-bike-suggestions#post_1930815"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>has me thinking of stepping outside the box and playing with bikes on grass</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
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[jroden]

<p>you can race a regular mtb with bar ends removed, for a cross bike you can get a decent complete bike with wheels in the 6-8 hundred range from companies like redline, felt, kona, fuji, lemond.  I especially like the cannondale on the used side, they are light and seem to sell for a good price.  105 level components are a good bet, avoid a triple but consider a compact.  Michelin mud tires are good, many cross bikes come with poor tires and wheels and lousy avid shorty brakes, but it will be a good bike to get going then swap parts one at a time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Avoid getting a heavy bike like a surly, you have to lug it on your shoulder.  Thin wall alu like the cannondale is the best value.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some used race bikes (like mine) get sold used and are beat to crap.  Many are just used for light use and are a good value.  Mine have been pressure washed, crashed, ridden in mud and snow and generally abused, so beware of the used market unless you know the history.</p>

 

[pcsronbo]

<p>What size frame? I've been thinking of selling mine (56) Giant OCX0 it's been a real trooper.  Now that I see how much better a 52 would fit me, I've been seriously considering selling this one and replacing it next year. Post IM I was thinking of focusing on either a sub5 century or (more likely) screwing around with an entire cross series (more likely, there is much more beer involved)</p>

 

[SpartyGirl]

<p>Ron-I ride a 56...</p>

 

[jroden]

<p>Ron--get the same length top tube as your ROAD (not tt/tri) bike, run a little shorter stem with an extra spacer, fits like a dream.</p>

 

[pcsronbo]

<p><br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>SpartyGirl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69331/cyclocross-low-end-beginner-bike-suggestions#post_1931364"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Ron-I ride a 56...</p>
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</div>
<p><br><br>
Hey I know a guy who has a bike for sale... PM if me if/when the time is right and if you are interested. No worries if not. Only ridden by a little old viking guy who likes to get muddy on Sundays.<br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>jroden</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69331/cyclocross-low-end-beginner-bike-suggestions#post_1931372"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Ron--get the same length top tube as your ROAD (not tt/tri) bike, run a little shorter stem with an extra spacer, fits like a dream.</p>
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<p><br>
Dont have a road bike - the Cross bike is my "road" bike with different tires. Any easy conversion from tri bike or should I just go have the bike guys figure it out? Last time I said "same as this bike" pointing to the Tri bike -so that was probably a mistake.<br>
 </p>

 

[jroden]

<p>Ron, you can go to a shop and sit on some bikes and get the road fit nailed down with some help its not so hard.  there's no conversion, but it's much easier to do by eye</p>

 

[Tithers]

<p>alicia...which rodes have you ridden? If you're willing to drive, I can take you to cows and plants.</p>