I am new to CX and have been offered this bike:

Red Flanders Team Replica Complete Cross Bike (55cm c. to c. seat tube, 56 cm top tube) Ultegra chainset with 170mm cranks and 48 x 42 chainrings, Dura-ace rear mech, Deore front mech, 105 STIs, 14-25 cassette, Brand new cantilever brakes, Carbon seatpin, Pinarello saddle, Campag wheels: 32 hole front, 36 hole rear, Maxxis Larsen Mimo CX tyres, Specialized stem, ITM Millennium bars, SPD pedals

There is almost nothing on the web about the Flanders cyclocross. What do you think? How much would you pay for it or is it better waiting for something diffrent/better?

Many thanks!

Flanders is a Belgian company that has been on the market for a number of years. Being that it is from the epicenter of cyclocross racing it must be a good frame. Here is a link to the company:
www.flandersfietsen.be
and www.cyclo-cross.info did a test on a frame last season.

I am new to CX and have been offered this bike:

Red Flanders Team Replica Complete Cross Bike (55cm c. to c. seat tube, 56 cm top tube) Ultegra chainset with 170mm cranks and 48 x 42 chainrings, Dura-ace rear mech, Deore front mech, 105 STIs, 14-25 cassette, Brand new cantilever brakes, Carbon seatpin, Pinarello saddle, Campag wheels: 32 hole front, 36 hole rear, Maxxis Larsen Mimo CX tyres, Specialized stem, ITM Millennium bars, SPD pedals

There is almost nothing on the web about the Flanders cyclocross. What do you think? How much would you pay for it or is it better waiting for something diffrent/better?

Many thanks!

You're being offered a FREE (or at least way cheap!) cross bike that sounds like it is set up fairly well, and you're questioning it? That's called "looking a gift horse in the mouth."

This bike's set up for racing flat races/road rides with that crank/ring combo. If you're not superhuman and once you get the bike, I'd go with a compact (110mm) crankset with 34-46t rings. I've got a 12-26t cassette on my crosser and it works for most situations. Riding the cross bike like a mtn bike ain't the easiest thing, but I can do it.

HTH,

M

Thanks for your reply!
Unfortunatly the bike is not free or cheap. The asking price is about $800 and the frame seem to be a bit small for me (184cm, 89 cm inseam). On the other hand you are right the Flanders is well equipped.

A

I am new to CX and have been offered this bike:

Red Flanders Team Replica Complete Cross Bike (55cm c. to c. seat tube, 56 cm top tube) Ultegra chainset with 170mm cranks and 48 x 42 chainrings, Dura-ace rear mech, Deore front mech, 105 STIs, 14-25 cassette, Brand new cantilever brakes, Carbon seatpin, Pinarello saddle, Campag wheels: 32 hole front, 36 hole rear, Maxxis Larsen Mimo CX tyres, Specialized stem, ITM Millennium bars, SPD pedals

There is almost nothing on the web about the Flanders cyclocross. What do you think? How much would you pay for it or is it better waiting for something diffrent/better?

Many thanks!

Is this in the US? I tried to get some info from them last year about their frames and never got a response. Is someone importing them now, or is this a bike that was purchased in Belgium?

[QUOTE=Dwaynebarry]Is this in the US? I tried to get some info from them last year about their frames and never got a response. Is someone importing them now, or is this a bike that was purchased in Belgium?[/QUO

The bike is in the UK but I gave the price in $. I contacted the guys via email yesterday and they replied within hours. I am very impressed.

Thanks for your reply!
Unfortunatly the bike is not free or cheap. The asking price is about $800 and the frame seem to be a bit small for me (184cm, 89 cm inseam). On the other hand you are right the Flanders is well equipped.

A

Ahh, that's a different story! I'd skip this one. Between the sizing not being right, and those big arse gears in the front, this bike isn't going to do you any favors. The rest looks good, though.

IIRC, I pieced together an almost complete XTR (rear der. is still XTegra, but I'm working on it!) Kona Jake the Snake bike for less than $750. A little judicious shopping on the classifieds here, ebay, and LBS-s, plus patience got me an awesome bike for not a lot of money.

M

You are probably right, I will give that one a miss. Nice looking bike though…