Hello everyone,
I am looking to get involved in cyclocross and need some help. My background consists of road cycling, triathlons, and swimming. I just recently brought down my Cannondale road bike from the rafters and started riding again to train for tri's. Since I am now 31 yrs old, I find that the 'dale is a little too stiff and jarring for me. It will soon be replaced by a Centurion Ironman Master (I have always liked this bike, and I got it for cheap.)

Initial intentions called for a new Trek 5.2 Madone, but that has proved to be way too expensive. So now that I have my "new" road bike, I want to vary the training a little bit to keep it interesting and exciting. And so I started looking into cyclocross. And I am very impressed at some of the rigs you guys have. What I am looking for is a rig under $2000. I really would like to keep it at $1500. Currently my shop has a $400 deposit that was supposed to go for the Madone, so I would like to get something that they offer. Brands they sell included Cannondale, Trek, LeMond, Serotta, QR, Specialized, etc. Those are the major ones. Go to www.chainwheeldrive.com for the rest.

I have checked out the review section and am really leaning towards the LeMond Poprad.
Any and all opinions and reviews would be helpful. Remember I want something comfortable, meaning a steel frame if possible. Also, any possible riding spots here in Florida would be great. I am in western Pasco county, about 35 minutes NW of Tampa.

Thanks,
Ken

Hello everyone,

I have checked out the review section and am really leaning towards the LeMond Poprad.
Any and all opinions and reviews would be helpful. Remember I want something comfortable, meaning a steel frame if possible. Also, any possible riding spots here in Florida would be great. I am in western Pasco county, about 35 minutes NW of Tampa.

Thanks,
Ken

I don't think you can go wrong with a Poprad if it fits you. Be careful, they run large, your shop should be able to fit you. Other options in steel which most shops can order: Gunnar, Surly. There are a bunch of great steel bikes made in the U.S. you could order straight from the builder, you could then apply your deposit to parts from your shop. This is a great option too, but it would mean you are spending right-up to that $2000 mark.
Since it's your first 'cross bike, go stock and save-up for some of the unnecessary upgrades which make being a bike geek so much fun.

And some of those "unnecessary" upgrades would be....? The following are my guesses.

Bike will be a LeMond Poprad.

Rear derailleur = Ultegra or XT. Medium cage maybe??
Shifters = Ultegra STI levers
Cassette = 12-28 or 11-28
Saddle = My Flite Ti
Wheelset = breaking a spoke on these Bontragers w/ twin spoke design will get me nervous. I am 200lbs, lowest I will get to is 185. And I can only imagine that I will be having the time of my life out on the trail, so it will not be an "easy" ride for the bike. :)

I read through a lot of posts re: wheelsets and saw that "Gripper" mentioned Zipp 440's. Would they hold my weight in this "rough" cycling sport?? Being a tri-geek I thought that these would be out of the question in cross. And what about composite wheels like HED 3 or the old Zipp 3000?? Aren't they just as strong??

Any other suggestions?? I plan to just ride until something breaks and then replace it. Of course I have no idea if they even have cross races in my area; I have to ask around.

Thanks,
Ken

The new Poprad's spec is so solid I wouldn't upgrade until I broke something. I run Bontrager Selects on my cross bike and I'm right where you are (185-190). I haven't had any problems. I check my spoke tension regularly and have had to tighten one spoke.

Having a spare set of wheels is always nice though.

If you do feel upgrade fever with the poprad, I'd upgrade the fork. When they went to a 1 1/8" headtube they started using an aluminum fork. I like steel or carbon fiber. A carbon fiber winwood will set you back about as much as a steel Independent Fabrication fork. I run and Indy Fab fork on my Poprad and love it.

Thanks, I forgot about the fork. I think I'll follow your advice. I'll just upgrade the fork to the Winwood and just replace stuff as it breaks. ;)

Right now I am just looking on eBay (like always), only this time for a killer deal on a set of tubulars. I just received my HED3 that was meant for the rear wheel of my road bike, but I just might try it out on the Poprad once I get it.

I just picked up a 2005 Lemond Poprad. It runs about $1200.00. Not the greatest components, but it does get you into a solid cross bike with an OX Platinum frame. I figure when stuff wears out or breaks I can upgrade then. At 5'11" with 32" inseam, the 55cm fits fine. The new paint scheme is white with blue down tube and seat tube panels....looks nice. Come with 46cm wide bars and brake levers on the tops. Only problem has been with a bent derailleur hanger...probably bent during shipping but easily fixed....and a tire with a bad bead so it doesn't seat right but does stay on rim....LBS is taking care of it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Timgo2: So the bike on LeMond's website is the 2004 then?? I ask because how you describe your 2005 is different than the one on the site. I guess they changed the tubing from Reynolds 853 to OX Platinum. How's the ride?? And what is the component spec?
Thanks,
Ken

In your price range can you get an aluminium bike w/ Ultegra, maybe like a Cannondale or somesuch? Personally, I would not worry about the steel vs. alu thing, it's really a non issue, more related to the geometry than the metal used in construction. If you intend to use the bike for it's intended purpose, a nice lightweight frame is really a joy to carry and shoulder.

Riding a bike in the woods in a bumpy business, don't fret about a certain type of frame being more "harsh", it's plenty harsh on any frame if you are doing it right.

I was looking at the Cannondale (non-disc) and wasn't too impressed with the component spec on it.

Timgo2: So the bike on LeMond's website is the 2004 then?? I ask because how you describe your 2005 is different than the one on the site. I guess they changed the tubing from Reynolds 853 to OX Platinum. How's the ride?? And what is the component spec?
Thanks,
Ken

The web site doesn't have the 2005 on it yet. Frame is now TT OX Patinum, Bontrager Cross cranks, 48 x 38...looks better than what 2004 had on it. I think every thing else is the same with the color exception. Ride is nice. It's my first cross bike so not too sure what to look for. I was able to set it up pretty quick to my liking and I'm just as comfortable on it as my road or mountain bikes. I only weigh 145lb so frame is plenty stiff, yet still feels comfy to me. Handling feels good too, probably thanks to wide bars. I'll post a pic when I get home from work.

Thanks for the pics !!

BTW: anyone know the weights of the Cannondale non-disc and the Poprad??

Still trying to decide, but leaning heavily towards the Poprad.

Thanks for the pics !!

BTW: anyone know the weights of the Cannondale non-disc and the Poprad??

Still trying to decide, but leaning heavily towards the Poprad.

2005 Lemond Poprad.....darn..came home to a flat front tire.

Very nice !! Still spec'd with 105 mostly??

105 brake/shift levers, front & rear derailleur.

Those new poprads are the best looking since the '01s. (yes, i have an '01, and yes, i bought it because of the color...and the steel fork over an alu one.)

white bikes with colored panels look nice. and white bikes look nice with mud on them!