Howdy all,

Just got a good deal on an 05/06 Bianchi Cross Concept frame and fork.

Looking for some advice on how to set it up for winter bike/commuter, mild dirt/trail riding.

Is the bottom bracket thread Italian (gee what are the odds for a bianchi being italian thread?) Just checking, since I already have a Shimano R700 compact crankset to put on it and will need to get bottom bracket cups.

What are decent cantilever brakes? I have no experience with this type of brake.

I have a spare set of Ultegra 6600 hub/Open Pro wheels 32 spoke I plan to use.

I have to buy shifters and derailleurs for it, so what would be good? I am thinking 10 speed, Ultegra probably since it will be compatible with my road bike. What about brifters vs barends? (Are there 10 speed barends, or just 9-speed?) Gearing for the rear, considering the 36/50 I have for cranks?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to the new type of bike!

Any suggestions on where to buy components? Cross specific suppliers?

Tim

The BB might have English threads but check the Bianchi website first, before getting the cups.
You could run a 12-27 for the rear, which gives you fairly wide range. Depending on how much trail riding you intend to do, you may change the large ring from a 50 to 48 or 46. I use my cross bike to do some road riding and 48 works pretty good.
As for the shifters, I think there are some 10 spd barends since the tri people use them. Brifters give you the convienence but cost more and may not take the abuse that trail riding will do to it.
One other tip: stay away from carbon bars and seatposts. A teammate, who was in the lead group, had his bar break on him...end of race for him. Luckily, the bar didn't completely snap off, which probably due to the top levers he had on.

Howdy all,

Just got a good deal on an 05/06 Bianchi Cross Concept frame and fork.

Looking for some advice on how to set it up for winter bike/commuter, mild dirt/trail riding.

Is the bottom bracket thread Italian (gee what are the odds for a bianchi being italian thread?) Just checking, since I already have a Shimano R700 compact crankset to put on it and will need to get bottom bracket cups.

What are decent cantilever brakes? I have no experience with this type of brake.

I have a spare set of Ultegra 6600 hub/Open Pro wheels 32 spoke I plan to use.

I have to buy shifters and derailleurs for it, so what would be good? I am thinking 10 speed, Ultegra probably since it will be compatible with my road bike. What about brifters vs barends? (Are there 10 speed barends, or just 9-speed?) Gearing for the rear, considering the 36/50 I have for cranks?

Thanks in advance, looking forward to the new type of bike!

Any suggestions on where to buy components? Cross specific suppliers?

Tim

You might be surprised about the BB shell: I've got a 2000 RC Ciclocross (steel) and despite coming straight outta Reparto Corse, it has a good 'ol 68mm English threaded shell.

Canti's: everyone has their opinion; search the forum.

Drivetrain: see above. What are your priorites? Light weight? Mechanical simplicity? Seamless transition from road to cx and back again? Thesse will all factor into your decision. 10-speed bar-ends fo exist (witness any TT/tri bike since the advent of ten speed cassettes; you think those guys went back to friction?) As far as gearing: end use, fitness, and your local topography will dictate.How do you like the cassette on your road bike now? If you're going to compact cranks from standard ones, you might not need to change the range at all.

Component and suppliers: support your LBS. if you must go online, cyclocrossworld.com is a good resource; bikeman and webcyclery seem to have a good selection of 'cross specifc parts as well.

Hope this helps.