new (to me) cx bike

[roadrash]

After having problems with my spine for a few years I gave up on drop bar bars for a few years, lately I haven't been feeling quite so bad after riding the flat bar mountain bike so..... fingers crossed I thought its about time to give drops another go.
I found this at a good price not too far away, purchased a new pair of Schwalbe tyres(700x35) this morning, fitted them and a quick clean up , not done chain and cassette yet ,and still need to change pedals, so all good to go, but not in todays fekin wind and rain. will see what tomorrow brings.

 

[pjd57]

Thought about getting a cross for the drop bars for ages. Wasn't sure how it would be after years of a hybrid with flatbars.

Bought one two weeks ago and it's been great so far.

 

[BurningLegs]

Congratulations @roadrash - did you get out for a ride today? I bet it feels brilliant to be progressing back onto drops after the injury.

Nice bike, too!

@pjd57 - yours is a very similar story to mine! I started out mountain biking on trails then bought a hybrid for commuting and started to use it for road leisure rides. Unfortunately my hybrid was stolen but I've used it as an opportunity to upgrade and have purchased a CX bike. It's my first drop bar bike and so far I am enjoying it, but I need to work on my core strength! I went CX and put some rad tyres on it because it's got all the eyelets for a rack and guards so a great "do everything" bike. I also liked the lime green colour.

 

[roadrash]

No, not managed to get out on it yet unfortunately, I'm chomping at the bit but family stuff took over today,

 

[roadrash]

well, by the look of the weather , it wont be today either unless it calms down a bit this afternoon

 

[biggs682]

well, by the look of the weather , it wont be today either unless it calms down a bit this afternoon

I like those Carrera's and good value as well , let us know how it goes please

 

[Globalti]

Your back feels better because you've been cycling and cycling is excellent for strengthening the muscles around the spine.

 

[roadrash]

I will certainly let you know how it goes @biggs682 . your probably right @Globalti , but for a long time it was a vicious circle of go for a ride and suffer the pain for days after, I got to the point where it wasn't worth it and didn't ride for a while, decided to give it another go and although I still suffer for it, it isn't quite as bad as it was. I just hope it lasts and doesn't go to how I was previously, ive missed getting out on the bike too long

 

[biggs682]

heres fingers crossed for you

 

[Hacienda71]

Just a thought, if it isn't comfortable, I would look at changing the stem to something a little shorter with some rise on it. The one on the bike looks 100mm plus with little or no rise. You can pick up a new stem for a tenner.

 

[roadrash]

your right barely any rise on it at all, if I find it too stretched out , then I will look at changing it, may end up trying a few to get it right , probably try a 70mm first.

 

[roadrash]

finally managed a ride this morning , only 10k down the canal bank, @Hacienda71 was correct in his observations, it does feel a little stretched out, so , if anyone has a ... say ...70mm or 80mm stem with a bit of rise, preferably cheap as chips, till I find out if its right for me I would be grateful, I'm off to post the same in the wanted section.

 

[roadrash]

Bloody hell , I just measured the stem that's on , I thought it was 100mm...... its 130mm so looking for a 100mm or 90mm

 

[roadrash]

fitted a 100mm stem with 6 degree rise this morning and went out and did 24km, feels a lot more comfortable, just need to slide the saddle back a couple of mm

 

[alecstilleyedye]

at next change of brake cables consider adding in some cross levers that allow braking from the tops, really useful...