Hello!

I have been mountain biking for 3 years or so, and For the last year I've been riding on the street a lot more. I want something faster then my mtb, but also something I can bunny hop curbs and beat around some. Not for the hard core trail.

I am only 130 Lb's and almost 5'11" so what I'm wondering could I put beefier wheels and tires on a normal Road bike and still be ok? Or would the frame and other stuff just not hold up? I'm pretty much stuck between a RB or a CX. Unless a normal RB will handle it? I wan't something light and fast. :confused:

I have never ridden a road bike or a cross bike.

Hello!

I have been mountain biking for 3 years or so, and For the last year I've been riding on the street a lot more. I want something faster then my mtb, but also something I can bunny hop curbs and beat around some. Not for the hard core trail.

I am only 130 Lb's and almost 5'11" so what I'm wondering could I put beefier wheels and tires on a normal Road bike and still be ok? Or would the frame and other stuff just not hold up? I'm pretty much stuck between a RB or a CX. Unless a normal RB will handle it? I wan't something light and fast. :confused:

I have never ridden a road bike or a cross bike.

I bunny hop curbs on my road bike but not as much as I used to mostly because of the feather light (295g) fork, not super confident in it's strength for that type of stuff. A road bike with a burlier aluminum frame, and stronger fork can handle quit a bit, I've taken mine on Singletrack trails, however if you plan on getting more aggressive get a CX bike. I have no fear bunny hopping and jumping my cross bike and you can charge dirt trails pretty hard also.

I'd recommend a 'cross bike. The road bike would likely handle some abuse for a while, but will eventually start having problems. Often on road bikes (especailly road bikes) there's not much clearance in the rear of the frame to allow an wheel that's out of true to spin freely. Jumping curbs, and generalyl beating on wheels will knock them out eventually. A CX bike can deal with this a lot better.

Also, the larger tires on a CX bike will absorb some of the impact and give a better ride for what you're talking about. Hitting small obsticals with a 23 or 25mm tires (road bike) will hurt a lot more than they will with 32 or 35mm tires (CX).

Otherwise the CX is just about as road worthy as a road bike, so you're not really giving up much.

What about putting CX wheels on a road bike? Right now my Mountain bike frame is only 3.4 LB's and I was looking at some of the 6061 aluminum cross bike frames and they are even more weight!

Modern road bikes too often have very tight tire clearance. I can't run even 25s on my main road bike. This is an important consideration for rough use and heavier loads/riders.

I've got sort of a cross bike for commuting. Very nice, but not nearly as performance oriented as my other bike. Difficult choice!

you are not going to be getting into road racing then I'd recommend a cross or touring bike. They will be a lot more robust and adaptable to your riding.

I did think about going with a 29er bike. But then you run into probelms with the larger main crank gear not fitting. Also more weight and a bike that is really overkill for the street. heavy etc...

I don't think i will be road racing. I do plan on running errands and communting a little. I might ride with the local club on their 30-50 mile rides they have.

I think what I need is a Cross bike with a lot of light components! Then I can pic what tires I like the best for my riding.

I have a 33.75 or 34" inseem. What size do you guys reccomend? I used a really good calculator and it came out with a 56.5 to 58cm effective top tube length, Depending on what kind of fit or riding style. What do you guy's think?

Thanks guys! Also still open to suggestions

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Buy a Surly Cross-Check.

I have a 33.75 or 34" inseem. What size do you guys reccomend? I used a really good calculator and it came out with a 56.5 to 58cm effective top tube length, Depending on what kind of fit or riding style. What do you guy's think?

To me, the combination of top tube length and seat tube angle, and the head tube length determine bike fit. Unfortuately, bikes are sized by their seat tube length, which is pretty unimportant.

I'm 6'1" with a 34"+ inseam and I ride bikes in the 58cm range. My CX bike has a 57cm TT and my road bike a 58cm TT, both with 73.5 degree STAs.

I see a custom in your future. A guy like Carl Strong could make you just what you want.

Yeah I think a 56 would work fine. I have long legs, for my height of 5'10.75"

Custom bike? I'm on a budget right now; but maybe in the future!!! :cool:

RCNUTE beat me to it. I would also suggest you look at the surly cross check. Great bike, have had one for bout 3 years, and used to commute on crummy roads. I guess I could ride it on club rides if I wanted too, but I have 3 other road bikes so why. In all seriousness, I don't loose much on the cross check when compared to any of my road bikes.

Out riding with your friends, wanna show of the newest and lightest while talking about how much less wind resistance you have due to your brazilian wax of your legs, easy, this equals new road bike.

Out to have fun, could care less about what your componants or how heavy your frame is (18 lbs, say it ain't so), solution = cross bike.

I do like the custom build approach though.

Sounds like a cross bike is the way you want to go. I baby my road bikes (they are both expensive) and abuse my crosser (very inexpensive) - it holds up fine and in all kinds of weather.
Cross bikes generally come with heavier wheels ( more spokes), heavier more stout forks and frames, that you can bunny hop curbs with etc.. Road bikes are generally not meant for such activities.

Good Luck

i dont see how a CX bike would be really be that much slower.... there are plenty of cheaper options on ebay too like Surly or Leader...

of course you could always get another set of hoops and run roadie gearing and tires on them and be 90% there...

have the cross stuff for messing around and being brutal on your bike...

Sometimes a pictures tells more than words can say......:thumbsup: :)

What's the weight on this bike? Looks like a great ride.

Sometimes a pictures tells more than words can say......:thumbsup: :)

CX bike also has different brakes than a road bike to allow better stopping and better for riding in muddy areas as they don't clog up as easy and release easier. Isn't a CX frame also a little higher and shorter, fork has a different angle making the bike also shorter, than a road frame as you need a shorter frame for tighter turns?

For an all-arounder a cross bike is hard to beat. I bought a used Specialized tri cross this year and it works great for around town, training rides, and you don't need to worry about dirt roads. These things are built to abuse.

BTW, we are about the same height and leg length. I ride a 56 in most bikes and had a Strong road bike built in the fall with a 56.5cm tt.

Thanks guys! lots of good info!!! :thumbsup: