I have a 2003 LeMond (Reynolds 853) Tourmalet. I want to make it my cross bike/do anything bike by swapping out the front fork to a cross fork and braze on canti brake bosses on the seat stays. Is this possible or am I missing something?

sounds like a nice bike to be doing things like that to. the (main) problem is you're still going to have a lack of tire clearance in the rear. i would at least try putting a mounted cross tire in there before you go ahead with the modification.

I have a 2003 LeMond (Reynolds 853) Tourmalet. I want to make it my cross bike/do anything bike by swapping out the front fork to a cross fork and braze on canti brake bosses on the seat stays. Is this possible or am I missing something?


you could dimple the chainstays if you've got clearance problems.

and the brazing of canti bosses (plus repaint) you could buy a frame and fork with CX geometry. just seems a waste of time and money to have a 'close but no cigar'

and the brazing of canti bosses (plus repaint) you could buy a frame and fork with CX geometry. just seems a waste of time and money to have a 'close but no cigar'

What he said ... If you really want a "do anything" bike and steel is important to you, sell the road frame and use the bucks to buy an '05 Poprad frameset and swap parts. Of course you will have to buy cantis and a smaller big chainring (like a 46 or 48).

That's what I'd do.

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I have a decision to make. Thanks again.

another point to think about is cross forks are 2-3 cm longer than road forks. Swapping one out for the other will relax your head tube and seat tube angles by 1-3 degrees, and make your head tube taller. This may present fit issues. As mentioned, you will also not address the tire clearance issue. The road frame will have 1-2 cm shorter chainstays than a cross bike. This may present tire clearance issues.

I have brazed on canti bosses to a few customer's current road bikes, but they eventually went to true cross bikes after getting the finances together.

Good luck!