Cyclocross Bikes and Racing - is it as fun as it looks?
Discussion
I mainly ride MTB and regularly do a bit of racing (as competitively as I can!) - a 4 race winter series and a local summer time trial - there is quite a few Cyclocross races in the area also so I am considering entering some of these.
Do I need a Cyclocross bike to enter or do most allow MTB's?
I currently have a road bike, if I was to buy a Cyclocross bike, would I have a need for a road bike? I assume I could just switch the tyres / wheels if I wanted slicks..
Is it as fun as it looks?
Anything else I should know?
Do I need a Cyclocross bike to enter or do most allow MTB's?
I currently have a road bike, if I was to buy a Cyclocross bike, would I have a need for a road bike? I assume I could just switch the tyres / wheels if I wanted slicks..
Is it as fun as it looks?
Anything else I should know?
You can usually enter with a MTB, best check with the organisers of your local races.
But also, ditch the road bike, get a CX bike. Yes, you can wang on some spare "road" wheels with slicks for roadie duties.
Then you'll have a MTB and CX bike, so you can swap bikes in the pits on each lap to prevent the mud clogging everything up (while you're on a lap, your better half will be washing your dirty bike, ready for you to swap for the next lap).
It's huge fun. Properly hard work. I've only ever done one CX event, can't wait until this autumn, I might well do a "season".
But also, ditch the road bike, get a CX bike. Yes, you can wang on some spare "road" wheels with slicks for roadie duties.
Then you'll have a MTB and CX bike, so you can swap bikes in the pits on each lap to prevent the mud clogging everything up (while you're on a lap, your better half will be washing your dirty bike, ready for you to swap for the next lap).
It's huge fun. Properly hard work. I've only ever done one CX event, can't wait until this autumn, I might well do a "season".
Jacobyte said:
You can usually enter with a MTB, best check with the organisers of your local races.
But also, ditch the road bike, get a CX bike. Yes, you can wang on some spare "road" wheels with slicks for roadie duties.
Then you'll have a MTB and CX bike, so you can swap bikes in the pits on each lap to prevent the mud clogging everything up (while you're on a lap, your better half will be washing your dirty bike, ready for you to swap for the next lap).
It's huge fun. Properly hard work. I've only ever done one CX event, can't wait until this autumn, I might well do a "season".
Thanks, I'm not sure how keen the other half would be in cleaning my bike every lap...But also, ditch the road bike, get a CX bike. Yes, you can wang on some spare "road" wheels with slicks for roadie duties.
Then you'll have a MTB and CX bike, so you can swap bikes in the pits on each lap to prevent the mud clogging everything up (while you're on a lap, your better half will be washing your dirty bike, ready for you to swap for the next lap).
It's huge fun. Properly hard work. I've only ever done one CX event, can't wait until this autumn, I might well do a "season".
Sizing wise for CX bikes, is it the same as road or do you tend to go a little smaller to help with obstacles etc?
I have been reading, my local league allow MTB's so maybe worth trying before I fully commit.
I'm planning to have a go at a local series that kicks off in September. Think it's weekly for 10 weeks. I don't really have any bike skills so hopefully the early season won't be too muddy. The fact I only have one bike (an aluminium Boardman CX Team) will mean a lack of mud is a good thing too!
You're near me by the looks of things so it would be Eastern Cross.
You can do it on a MTB, I'd bet you would be on the lookout for a 'cross bike shortly after your first race though
First race of the season is in Chelmsford, if it's dry you can almost do it on a road bike so it doesn't lend itself too well to MTB's but it gets more interesting as the season goes on.
It's a shame we're not going here again this year:
You can do it on a MTB, I'd bet you would be on the lookout for a 'cross bike shortly after your first race though
First race of the season is in Chelmsford, if it's dry you can almost do it on a road bike so it doesn't lend itself too well to MTB's but it gets more interesting as the season goes on.
It's a shame we're not going here again this year:
pembo said:
You're near me by the looks of things so it would be Eastern Cross.
You can do it on a MTB, I'd bet you would be on the lookout for a 'cross bike shortly after your first race though
First race of the season is in Chelmsford, if it's dry you can almost do it on a road bike so it doesn't lend itself too well to MTB's but it gets more interesting as the season goes on.
It's a shame we're not going here again this year:
Yes, I have been looking at the Eastern Cross Series, the first few look like they clash with another race / holidays / wedding so my first would be in October albeit the weather can still be kind then. Is there a summer one at all in the region? You can do it on a MTB, I'd bet you would be on the lookout for a 'cross bike shortly after your first race though
First race of the season is in Chelmsford, if it's dry you can almost do it on a road bike so it doesn't lend itself too well to MTB's but it gets more interesting as the season goes on.
It's a shame we're not going here again this year:
Is that Hadleigh Park in the picture?
tjdixon911 said:
Sizing wise for CX bikes, is it the same as road or do you tend to go a little smaller to help with obstacles etc?
If you're borderline between S/M, M/L or L/XL then go with the smaller size. Otherwise just normal size - the toe overlap might intrude if you go too small.meehaja said:
No, its not fun, its horrible.
This is true. Whilst you're out there, you'll be thinking "why the hell am I doing this, it's thoroughly unpleasant, I really ought to stop and have a nice cup of tea instead".
Which is why it's fun (but only when you think about it later when the pain has subsided).
tjdixon911 said:
Yes, I have been looking at the Eastern Cross Series, the first few look like they clash with another race / holidays / wedding so my first would be in October albeit the weather can still be kind then. Is there a summer one at all in the region?
Is that Hadleigh Park in the picture?
Yes it is, I think they had cow poo issues and people complaining because it was more of a MTB course so some on cross bikes were struggling so it's not there this year.Is that Hadleigh Park in the picture?
Yeh life always gets in the way, I'm missing a few in Sept/Oct due to wedding/baby due but will try to get a few in this year.
There used to be one but hasn't been for the last couple of years, I think the Mud Sweat and Gears series for MTB gives everyone in the region their summer mud kicks if they need them.
pembo said:
Yes it is, I think they had cow poo issues and people complaining because it was more of a MTB course so some on cross bikes were struggling so it's not there this year.
Yeh life always gets in the way, I'm missing a few in Sept/Oct due to wedding/baby due but will try to get a few in this year.
There used to be one but hasn't been for the last couple of years, I think the Mud Sweat and Gears series for MTB gives everyone in the region their summer mud kicks if they need them.
I think MSG cancelled the Hadleigh event this year due to Cow Poo or something? I won a free entry into one of the rounds so did the Phoenix Bike Park round.Yeh life always gets in the way, I'm missing a few in Sept/Oct due to wedding/baby due but will try to get a few in this year.
There used to be one but hasn't been for the last couple of years, I think the Mud Sweat and Gears series for MTB gives everyone in the region their summer mud kicks if they need them.
Roastie ITR said:
I'll be entering the Eastern League for the first time this year too.
OP, I'm not too sure how close you are to Battlesbridge, Essex. But Maldon Cycling Club run a summer CX series during September on a Tuesday evening. You don't need to be a member and it's only £3.50 a race.
I am up near Bury St Edmunds so a bit of a trek, will have to keep an eye on it though incase work takes me that way.OP, I'm not too sure how close you are to Battlesbridge, Essex. But Maldon Cycling Club run a summer CX series during September on a Tuesday evening. You don't need to be a member and it's only £3.50 a race.
meehaja said:
No, its not fun, its horrible.
I agree 100% during the event but afterwards you are looking forward to the next.You will need a CX bike though if you enjoy it and want to be competitive but a MTB is fine to try it out.
Saying that, one of the courses in our league, NWCCA is often won by a MTB as there is a long bumpy decent that suits suspension and wide bars.
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