I am a complete newbie to cyclocross, both the sport and the equipment. However, I think that my next bike will be a 'cross.

I was commuting on my Bianchi hybrid until October 11th of 2003: that was the day that my house burned down and my bike melted. There were little drops of aluminium under where the patio used to be. :( I really miss biking to work and riding light to medium trails. I also miss the fitness of riding a bike every day. I was pretty fit in early October (I'm 5 foot 11-ish) and since the fire I have gained about 30 pounds and my aerobic capacity is full of suck (NINE MONTHS!!!) I need to start riding again. I know it's weird, but I miss ignorant drivers honking at me, bugs in my teeth, and fixing flats. :(

There are a few bike shops in my area, but they don't carry a lot of 'cross bikes, so testing stuff out in person is tough. I have been looking at the Jake and the Bianchi Volpe online, but I think that I would rather buy something used and get used to the geometry and develop an opinion on what I like before spending $1k plus. Also, I don't really know what is out there. I have been reading this forum for a few days now and have learned tons, but I still have a ways to go.

Any advice for a newbie?

~Jay
getting fat in Rochester, NY

<a href="http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck.html" target="_blank">http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck.html</a>

I have never ridden one myself, but it come from a well regarded (if a little off-beat) company and seems to get consistent rave reviews (<a href="http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Frameset/product_21306.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Frameset/product_21306.shtml</a>).

And you can find new complete's for under $1K.

I am a complete newbie to cyclocross, both the sport and the equipment. However, I think that my next bike will be a 'cross.

I have been looking at the Jake and the Bianchi Volpe online, but I think that I would rather buy something used and get used to the geometry and develop an opinion on what I like before spending $1k plus. Also, I don't really know what is out there. I have been reading this forum for a few days now and have learned tons, but I still have a ways to go.

Any advice for a newbie?


My number one piece of advice would be to buy used! That said, check the RBR Classified section for 'cross bikes for sale. Then check Ebay. If you are patient, you'll find the perfect bike within a month -- for a reasonable price.

Next you'll want to figure out what size frame you want. I'd suggest 54 or 55 as a starting point -- I'm guessing 54 unless you have some unusual proportions.

Last, what bike do you want? Surly Crosscheck, Kona Jake the Snake, Lemond Poprad, Redline Conquest, Bianchi Axis, Fuji Cross, Jamis Nova, C'Dale 800. Start there. Rochester seems to be big enough that it would support some bike shops that stock at least a couple of those bikes. Go test ride them.

I'll admit that I bought my first 'cross bike without having test ridden a single bike. My only experience was with 70's and 80's era road bikes and 90's era mountain bikes. I researched, tried to figure out my fit, and bought a used Redline (a 52) from Ebay. I'd probably be happier in a 54 but I've put thousands of commuting miles on it as well as a full season of 'cross racing. I'd say it was well worth the $500 I paid. This year it is my commuter and pit bike.

I was commuting on my Bianchi hybrid until October 11th of 2003: that was the day that my house burned down and my bike melted. There were little drops of aluminium under where the patio used to be. :(

holy crap is that not a sad picture. Ill 2nd the advice on the surly. Im on my 2nd crosscheck, I just replaced my green 2001 frame with a new one so I'd have 2 sets of eyelets on the back for fenders <i>and</i> a rack. its not the lightest 'cross frame but it's versatile and nearly indestructible. excellent commuter.

I'll 2nd the used route. Try ebay and craiglist. I got my IF Planet X on ebay. Great deal probably because it's a 48 cm. But on both sites, I've seen IF, Kelly, Surly, Soma, Steelman, sycip, Bianchi, etc. If you're patient, you can find a deal. On ebay, you have to make sure to check both MTB and road links, bikes get cross posted. Start your searches from the main cycling link.

My buddy's got a Kelly for sale that may fit you. PM if interested.

...metric a$$load of advice. Thanks to all that replied!

I now know that one of my local shops carries the Trek X01. I had to special order my Bianchi a few years ago because they didn't used to keep a lot of alum. bikes in stock (this may have changed). I'll give that a test ride the next chance I get. Besides comfort, is there anything that I should be looking for that is specific to XC? How different is the geometry of a 'cross frame going to be from a road frame? I was thinking that, if all else fails, I can test out a ton of road frames and figure out exactly what I like, and then look for a 'cross bike based on that geometry.

Also, I'm a pretty big guy (compared to most cyclists) especially in the upper-body. Like I said, I have gained some weight since I was last biking a lot, but for now I'm right around 210lbs (I was at 185 in early Oct.). Is my weight going to be a factor in what I choose (like alum. v. steel)?

Also, what is Craiglist? As usual, all I could find was porn. =) No complaints, I just didn't see any bikes. But you shoulda' seen the size of the ...er...umm... handlebars on this girl. WOW ;)

~Jay

I'll admit that I bought my first 'cross bike without having test ridden a single bike. My only experience was with 70's and 80's era road bikes and 90's era mountain bikes. I researched, tried to figure out my fit, and bought a used Redline (a 52) from Ebay. I'd probably be happier in a 54 but I've put thousands of commuting miles on it as well as a full season of 'cross racing. I'd say it was well worth the $500 I paid. This year it is my commuter and pit bike.

Wow! This is deja vu for me. I did the exact same thing as you. I was looking to retire my 88 Raleigh Grand Prix. Did the internet research thing & settled for a CX bike, found a 2001 52cm Trek XO1 on ebay last May & US$520 later, it arrived at my door. Never did test ride a cross bike ever.
It is my commuter, duathlon & CX rig.

Basically, craigslist is online classifieds. You can buy anything there. I've sold my used road bike there a few months ago. I got the bike on ebay last year and only lost $30 after 6 mos of use.

You can search by city, looks like your in NY.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/bik/

The main site is: http://www.craigslist.org

If you're willing, you can search other cities and have it shipped to you. The local links are nice cause you can see stuff in person.

I'm torn between three options: used, DIY, or new. Used is a great way to get my feet wet without dropping a ton of cash. DIY would be great if I knew more of what I wanted in a bike and its components. New costs me more, but I'll also have a high(er) resale value if I decide that that bike sucks.

I have been shopping for a used/eBay starter bike in the $600-$700 price range, but then I saw that the Kona Jake is only $750... I would have to swap out the pedals, but it might be a pretty good starter bike. Everyone seems to be pretty happy with the big brother, JTS. How much crappier can the plain-old-Jake be?

I dunno'. What do you guys think?

~Jay

I had to search for nearly a month to find my '04 JtS. NO ONE has them! Both the Jake and the JtS have finished their production lines for the year, so you'll have to wait until '05 if you want a new one (but there are always some for sale in the classifieds on this site). Good luck finding one, I finally pick mine up tomorrow!

I'm actually selling my cross bike - Its listed on craigs list DC and on ebay here -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58092&item=3688221057&rd=1

If you are interested, just send me an email. robertcoon@hotmail.com. its in your price range.

I'm actually selling my cross bike - Its listed on craigs list DC and on ebay here -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58092&item=3688221057&rd=1

If you are interested, just send me an email. robertcoon@hotmail.com. its in your price range.

Sorry, dude. I just bought a Kona JTS from this board's classified section. =)

~Jay

I do have a question for the group, though: the bike is getting shipped to me and is/was packed by a bike shop. What is the usual procedure for unpacking? It has been about 4 years since I have done any major work on a bike. Will I be able to figure it out? Will I have to take it to my local shop to reassemble?

newbie