Boardman Hybrid into CX????

[sayek1]

I am still exploring the CX options, but trying to avoid spending too much.

Is it possible to convert a Boardman Hybrid Pro into a CX by putting new drop bars on it and changing the shifters/brakes. Whilst there is no room for mudguards, it wouldn't be the end of the world and on the plus side I'd get my SRAM gears and disc brakes. I am sure I could get the tyres up to a 25/28mm size and for the riding I am doing that would be fine.

Its more about the cycling position, brakes and gears rather than the guards/tyre sizes.

Any views?

If its not possible then I am stuck on the choices as I cant find anything that has SRAM Rival gears with disc brakes.

Thanks
K

 

[HLaB]

I am still exploring the CX options, but trying to avoid spending too much.

Is it possible to convert a Boardman Hybrid Pro into a CX by putting new drop bars on it and changing the shifters/brakes. Whilst there is no room for mudguards, it wouldn't be the end of the world and on the plus side I'd get my SRAM gears and disc brakes. I am sure I could get the tyres up to a 25/28mm size and for the riding I am doing that would be fine.

Its more about the cycling position, brakes and gears rather than the guards/tyre sizes.

Any views?

If its not possible then I am stuck on the choices as I cant find anything that has SRAM Rival gears with disc brakes.

Thanks
K

I don't see why not, I did it with a sirrus; my issue was the brakes (vees) but you've not got that problem (discs) :-) everything else was straight forward. According to Hellfrauds the bike accomodates 28mm tyres and mudguards too

Traditional Mudguard Mounts: Yes, Tyre size: 28c

. Scook94 and HJ have faily recently built bike with drops and discs you could perhaps pm them for advice, I think Scook has SRAM.

 

[MacB]

The boardman has hydraulic disc brakes which won't work with drop bar shifters so you'd have to buy:-

Road Mechanical Disc brakes - approx £120
Road combined brake and shift units - £200
Drop Bars and possibly new stem - £50
Possibly new front and rear mechs - £70
Cables, bar tape, etc - £30

You're basically describing a change to a bike like the Kona Honky Inc, it can be done but isn't going to be cheap.

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=23018

You'd make a bit back on the parts you weren't keeping but nothing like enough, it would be a very expensive change. Plus the Boardman is designed for flat bars, the effective top tube is longer, the medium has a 590mm TT. That's 20-30mm more than the same sort of size frame in a road bike. You can resolve this with a much shorter stem but it would change the handling.

By the way the existing kit on the Boardman is flat bar stuff so the clamps will be designed for 22.2mm bars. They will not fit onto road bars where the diameter is 23.8mm, just in case you were speculating on a bodge job.

If you want a disc brake road bike(drop bars) then your best bet is going with an existing build. Even if it's not exactly what you want you can sell on and get another next year. A lot more options are going to be coming out, I suspect. The only other option is a custom build and that comes with a custom price tag.

 

[sayek1]

The boardman has hydraulic disc brakes which won't work with drop bar shifters so you'd have to buy:-

Road Mechanical Disc brakes - approx £120
Road combined brake and shift units - £200
Drop Bars and possibly new stem - £50
Possibly new front and rear mechs - £70
Cables, bar tape, etc - £30

You're basically describing a change to a bike like the Kona Honky Inc, it can be done but isn't going to be cheap.

http://www.cyclestor...productID=23018

You'd make a bit back on the parts you weren't keeping but nothing like enough, it would be a very expensive change. Plus the Boardman is designed for flat bars, the effective top tube is longer, the medium has a 590mm TT. That's 20-30mm more than the same sort of size frame in a road bike. You can resolve this with a much shorter stem but it would change the handling.

By the way the existing kit on the Boardman is flat bar stuff so the clamps will be designed for 22.2mm bars. They will not fit onto road bars where the diameter is 23.8mm, just in case you were speculating on a bodge job.

If you want a disc brake road bike(drop bars) then your best bet is going with an existing build. Even if it's not exactly what you want you can sell on and get another next year. A lot more options are going to be coming out, I suspect. The only other option is a custom build and that comes with a custom price tag.

Hi MacB,

Thanks for your extensive response - I was afraid that might be the answer. You are obviously highly knowledgeable in this area - I see your posts on the many threads on this type of subject. Its a shame it will be so expensive as I really wanted to avoid spending £1k on getting what I wanted (even then having to compromise on the chainset or brakes). As you say though, there maybe more options coming out now the CX rules have changed. I guess my options are down to;

1) Ride hybrid until new options arrive during winter months - or might be spring in which case I will have missed this year
2) Keep riding carbon bike through winter months and then as above
3) Buy CDF or Boardman CX and live with compromises

mmmmmmmm?????

Thanks for the help and advice

 

[MacB]

I'd say, if you can get hold of one, the Kona Honky Inc 2010 at about £850 is a good buy. Need to check the spec against what's claimed online. Also it does come with 130mm rear spacing, not many 130mm rear hubs around if wanting to upgrade. Though you can probably have a 135 respaced or increase the rear dropouts by 5mm as it's steel.

 

[sayek1]

MacB,

Thanks for the ongoing advice. I was looking at the costs of the parts and if I can get a few things off of e-bay (HK) etc then I might get the price down by a few pounds. I have looking at Avid BB7 discs and SRAM Rival shifters which all look fine. I'll contact Wiggle to see if they sell their own brand handlebars (ME3) as this would help.

What's your thoughts on how I might get over the problem with the bar size differences - not sure how to overcome this as everything else looks fine.

Thanks for your help.

Regards
K