my Mares is running a 50/34 compact with (currently) an 11-32 cassette. I live in Sheffield and to get my shopping home is a 2 mile climb that in places gets close to 15% the shopping can easily see a load of 20kg making its way uphill. My full on camping gear is 12kg so I can't see any issue unless it gets to 20% or steeper (which doesn't mean I won't fit something different if I take it to the Alps) but for terrain up to and including the Peak District it offers gearing to spare for a reasonably fit rider.
A full on CX bike will generally run 46/36 with 11-28 or tighter cassette.
cyclocross for touring
Re: cyclocross for touring
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
Re: cyclocross for touring
i had a look at the spa tourer ,the 48 is 600 wheels rather have 700 to be honest but the top tibe on the 51 seems very long to me 54.5 if im reading is correct .i suffer with back problems so i reckon i would be way over stretched on that bike
im 5.6inx inside leg 29ins am i loking at the wrong size frame .
i was hoping to get a frame obviously one thats fits perfect, but enough room to fit a thudbuster st seatpost .
going by my size and inside leg measurements what do u guys reckon i should go for..
my Terry Dolan is 48 but a sloping top tube.besides the the angles would be completly different to the SPA frame so couldnt really compair the too.
chers
jags.
im 5.6inx inside leg 29ins am i loking at the wrong size frame .
i was hoping to get a frame obviously one thats fits perfect, but enough room to fit a thudbuster st seatpost .
going by my size and inside leg measurements what do u guys reckon i should go for..
my Terry Dolan is 48 but a sloping top tube.besides the the angles would be completly different to the SPA frame so couldnt really compair the too.
chers
jags.
Re: cyclocross for touring
If it is a bike you are very comfortable using and fits you very well then by all means, use it. Consider tyres and maybe some tweaking on gear ratios and all should be good.
CX bikes are typically quite strong to survive the rough riding conditions they are normally ridden in. If you are going to be carrying very heavy loads then check wheel loads (how many spokes do your wheels have and how many cross is the lacing pattern?)
Almost any bike can be used for touring with some prep work but even a purpose built touring bike is useless for touring is you are not comfortable on the bike for hours at a time.
Touring is not about performance but an enjoyable riding experience.
CX bikes are typically quite strong to survive the rough riding conditions they are normally ridden in. If you are going to be carrying very heavy loads then check wheel loads (how many spokes do your wheels have and how many cross is the lacing pattern?)
Almost any bike can be used for touring with some prep work but even a purpose built touring bike is useless for touring is you are not comfortable on the bike for hours at a time.
Touring is not about performance but an enjoyable riding experience.
Re: cyclocross for touring
jags wrote:i had a look at the spa tourer ,the 48 is 600 wheels rather have 700 to be honest but the top tibe on the 51 seems very long to me 54.5 if im reading is correct .i suffer with back problems so i reckon i would be way over stretched on that bike
im 5.6inx inside leg 29ins am i loking at the wrong size frame .
i was hoping to get a frame obviously one thats fits perfect, but enough room to fit a thudbuster st seatpost .
going by my size and inside leg measurements what do u guys reckon i should go for..
You will struggle to get a frame that is small, short AND 700c simply because of the wheel diameter. That's why Spa do the smallest one with 26" wheels.
Re: cyclocross for touring
Many stores like Halfords are marketing BIkes as cross bikes, don't think many people would buy them for cross . Its just you have to have an angle to make a cheap bike sound sexy , so they call them cross bikes, they are probably OK as cheap bikes go . Decathlon have some very cheap bikes marketed this way
Re: cyclocross for touring
This is the latest bike from Cannondale, not released yet, might be good for lightweight touring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev-iuSKRNk8
For those whose love for the road extends beyond just the road. For those whose thirst for fun and adventure cannot be quenched by mere road bikes or those dreary grinders of gravel. For all those who don't necessarily want to road-ride, but who just want to ride the roads, and the verges, the trails, and whatever strikes their fancy, we proudly offer a road bike unlike anything you've ever seen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev-iuSKRNk8
For those whose love for the road extends beyond just the road. For those whose thirst for fun and adventure cannot be quenched by mere road bikes or those dreary grinders of gravel. For all those who don't necessarily want to road-ride, but who just want to ride the roads, and the verges, the trails, and whatever strikes their fancy, we proudly offer a road bike unlike anything you've ever seen.
Re: cyclocross for touring
DaveGos wrote:Many stores like Halfords are marketing BIkes as cross bikes, don't think many people would buy them for cross . Its just you have to have an angle to make a cheap bike sound sexy , so they call them cross bikes, they are probably OK as cheap bikes go . Decathlon have some very cheap bikes marketed this way
Agree cyclocross (and now gravel racer) is, to an extent, used as another label for what was already there, but some of Decathlon's cheap bikes are actually rather decent. Apollo they're not!