Thinking of trying Cyclocross

[HorTs]

I'm thinking of giving Cyclocross a go.

I have a Tripster ATR which should be ok.

Would you recommend clipless or standard pedals?

 

[ayceejay]

clipless but practice getting on and off the bike (a lot) before you race. There are some useful videos online

 

[jdtate101]

SPD pedals, Not SPD-SL ,otherwise you'll scrag the cleats very quickly and they are not ideal to clip in/out of during a race.

 

[Milzy]

I never got a feel for it. I like MTB & Road but feels weird been in between.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

clipless but practice getting on and off the bike (a lot) before you race. There are some useful videos online

Getting off the bike 'cross-style' still seems to amaze some people, with the way you can go from riding to walking alongside it, in 'one easy step'
(&, if you do it right, the pedals are correctly placed to jump back on)

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10162386.Top_honour_for_Three_Peaks_stalwart_Rawnsley/

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Once I have healed from my accident I too am thinking of giving cyclo cross a go. Any recommendations on bikes? I am looking to spend about £1500. Also coming from a road background, what should I be looking to practice the most?

 

[palinurus]

Also coming from a road background, what should I be looking to practice the most?

Initially you'll need to get the mounting/ dismounting bit worked out before racing. If you don't already do so then it will help to do a little running- most early season cross races won't involve a great deal of running (since more of the course will be rideable) so you can develop this as the season progresses.

I found the dismount fairly straightforward but getting the remount took longer, I found these videos useful (especially the tip that you aren't trying to jump into the saddle, just get your thigh onto it with a motion like kicking a football).

Also useful to practice sprinting out of corners.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Thanks for that, that will give me some bits to watch this week.
I see a lot of bikes have discs now, is there any major advantage or disadvantage to them or the cantilever calipers? I am looking at some of the focus Mares bikes at the moment and also the Caad X. I presume the cable operated bikes are not as good as the cable/hydraulic calipers?
I assume everyone uses SPD rather than spd sl pedals and cleats?

 

[palinurus]

'crossers use MTB type pedal systems. SPD are used widely. Also Time Atac, Crank Bros.

I'll let someone else comment on the brakes, I've only ever used Cantis.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Discs allow much greater clearance, so less chance of clogging, plus, they keep working better in said mud


However, if you have the luxury of spare-wheels, in case of a puncture, get your helper to practice first at home swapping them, so the disc goes straight in (& doesn't displace a pad)

 

[ayceejay]

Personally I find cantilever brakes a pain in the azz to adjust so perhaps discs will be easier on that score but I have yet to try them.
Incidentally there is another thread on this topic that you might want to look at.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Must admit I am tempted with one of these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/threshold-105-2015-cyclocross-bike-ec072586

 

[Strathlubnaig]

I picked up a Kona Jake for about £800. Disc brakes, tiagra, compact. Just changed the tyres out for decent cross 32mm, good to go.

 

[Paul Walters]

I have a Claud Butler Dalesman touring bike with Tektro canti brakes, and plenty of clearance for mudguards etc.... it also has cross-style bar top levers... if I strip off the pannier racks, mudguards and all the other clutter, would it make a passable cross bike (at least to let me have a go?) I noticed one novice female rider at the first race I've ever watched was riding a Dawes Horizon similarly stripped...... I heard her taking some disparaging comments from someone later, but didn't hear the details.... any thoughts anyone ?