cyclox racing

lennymc

anyone on here do it? Was wondering how long the season is, when it starts and finishes etc. (or have I got the wrong end of the year)

Also, do you really need a cyclocross bike? Would an oul steel road bike with knobbly tyres do? (i probably know the answer to this allready, but no harm asking )

spyderski

Season starts around early October. National Champs in early January, so basically a 3 month season. Around 5/6 races organized around Dublin last year and a few more up North.

A road bike with knobby tires will probably do to give it a go, but if its muddy the bike won't have enough clearance and will get clogged up - but if last winter was anything to go by the early races were pretty dry!

lennymc

thanks spyderski. do you have any info on where the courses are?

spyderski

Tymon Park, Pfizer Grange Castle, Swords - they're the 3 I did last year. The one in Swords was the best I thought - at the back of a big housing estate, not really familiar with the area but others on here might be able to give an exact location. Hoping to do them all this year - really enjoyed it.
Robin Seymour organized some great Cyclocross training evenings last year too - presume they'll be on again.

Tonyandthewhale

You might not have the requisite clearance on a standard road bike to fit knobby tyres (nevermind having clearance for the mud to get through).

Tenzor07

Different geometry on your road bike frame and no mounts for Cantelever brakes which you will need! Apart from the minimal tyre/mud clearance you will have...

Good CX bikes will start around €800 to €1200 for Sora/Tiagra Alu frame

lennymc

cheers for that info lads. It looks like something that would be good crack to try, but tis a big outlay for something that i may or may not like

Tenzor07

CX is good for racers, both road and also mountain bikers to maintain there form over the winter..

It's tough, but fast and furious!

Usually there is a 5 or 6 race series league held around Dublin, with about the same up North if your willing to travel...

The CX nationals are usually held after the series ends, around December.. Though this year it was January...

lennymc

one more question, are mountain bikes ok to use in cyclocross? i have an old steel mtb at home that i could probably build up into something that might work and have none of the clearance issues that the road bike would have.

C3PO

I did most of the races in Dublin last year and totally enjoyed them! Fantastic racing right down the field ... even at my end!! Physically very hard but races are short! Highly recommended!

Tenzor07

MTB's are allowed for first time racers...

Generally though you're at a disadvantage in terms of the speed a proper CX bike carries over an MTB, as well as sections where you may have to carry the bike, you'll really feel the extra weight... As well as the fact that if you fall too far behind in a race you may not be permitted to finish...

C3PO

lennymc wrote: »

one more question, are mountain bikes ok to use in cyclocross? i have an old steel mtb at home that i could probably build up into something that might work and have none of the clearance issues that the road bike would have.

Sort of frowned on but were allowed out in the B races last year!

chakattack

Any suggestions on where to get a reasonably priced cross frame? Nothing of interest from the usual suspects and Canyon don't do cross bikes :rolleyes:

Thoughts on disc brakes or canti's?

How essential or otherwise are the levers you can fit on the bartops?

C3PO

chakattack wrote: »

Any suggestions on where to get a reasonably priced cross frame? Nothing of interest from the usual suspects and Canyon don't do cross bikes :rolleyes:

Thoughts on disc brakes or canti's?

How essential or otherwise are the levers you can fit on the bartops?

Firstly I'm no expert but ... I think Ridley do a reasonable value frame? No sign of disc brakes on anyone's bikes last year, don't seem to have really caught on yet! Bartop levers are not necessary and again no evidence of them on any of the good guys bikes!

Tenzor07

Try Planet-X they do a frame for €220 called "Uncle John"
Heavy enough, but can be used as a tourer also...

Dunno why Canyon don't do CX bikes..maybe cause they are seasonal kinda purchases and not year round like MTB's?

Would not bother with mechanical disc brakes, wait until hydralics are more developled/cheaper...

"bartop" levers are not required in any way for CX racing...