Cyclocross bike for touring?

[Susie]

I'm looking to buy a cheap cyclocross bike which I plan to use for racing, commuting and also at some point cycling round the coast of Britain. The latter will mean I'll have to carry camping stuff too. Is a budget cyclocross bike like the Tricross sport, Kona Jake or basic model Giant cross bike suitable do you think? I will have to buy one second hand as my budget is only £300-400. I remember reading warnings about frame flex etc - am I likely to have problems using this type of bike for carrying relatively heavy loads?
Sue

 

[suffolkcindy]

Hi that depends what you mean by heavy? Cyclocross bikes like the tricross can carry weight and take a good bit of bashing in my experience. Its hard to get a bike to race and tour with heavy loads. They tend to be very different animals BUT if you can only have one bike it will have to be a compromise and the cyclocrosses come up to the job well. When you say 'cycle round the coast of britain' do you mean 1,000s of miles or just a bit of it? A cyclocross is more than happy to do thousands of miles with light loads on fairly good roads. You will need to change the tyres for each job you ask it to do. Best wishes.

 

[Isla Valassi]

Hi Susie,

Used my Tricross triple last year in Canada - 925 miles with front panniers and saddlebag. Worked a treat!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Will you be camping and carrying camping gear? In which case it might be less than ideal.

If 'credit card touring' on tarmac or sustrans type paths staying in B&B's it will be fine.

 

[Danny]

You might also want to consider an audax bike - though this would less suitable if you are serious about the racing.

If you shop carefully on eBay you are likely to find a bike in your price range. Or advertise in the CC wanted forum.

 

[Susie]

Thanks guys. Yes I do plan to do the whole coast in one trip and sadly no credit card touring for me, I'll have to take a tent, stove etc as I'll be on a tight budget. Though I will of course impose on friends as much as possible!! So I suppose I will have to carry a fair bit of weight, though never have been cycle touring before I'm not sure how much weight it involves. I wouldn't want my bike to collapse under the weight!

 

[willem]

I have a real touring bike (with 26 inch wheels, drop bar etc) and also an older steel real cycle cross bike. I say real because it does not have eyelets for racks, mudguards, or bottle cages. Nor does it have a chainstay bridge. In short, it is the real thing as was once used in anger (this one was). I changed the tyres to 35 mm Panaracer Pasela's, and the thing is a joy to ride. It would also handle light touring loads. And I think that is what you would need to do: go (ultra)light such as 10-12 kg. And you would need to look at the gearing; it may be too high. The good news is that it is much more suitable than the modern light aluminium frame plus carbon fork models. A traditional tourer may well be easier to put into action.
Willem

 

[Wander Wheels]

Hi Susie We both have Specialised Tricross bikes and have used them laden with camping stuff for touring across France and Spain with no problems. My other half did change the brakes for cantilever type which work better with extra weight. We also changed the tyres for a better touring type. I also use mine for cycling to work. I would highly recommend it as a very versatile bike. If you are considering using it for racing as well you could always put a different set of wheels/tyres for when you do this this. Hope this helps.

 

[Aushiker]

There is a similar discussion going on at the moment in the Australian Cycling Forums which might be worth a read for ideas. One thing to keep in mind is whether you wish to make use of racks and panniers. If yes, you ideally need braze-ons to mount the racks and also to consider the chain-stay length. You don't want your heels clipping the pedals each rotation.

Maybe something like the Surly Cross-check will give you ideas on what to look for.

Andrew

 

[doog]

I have toured on a Tricross. A few things to watch out for as stated in the posts above. Stock rear wheel may not be able to take weight of fully loaded panniers, tent etc, so I ideally replace with something stronger. The gearing may be too high, even on a triple chainset however this can be rectified quite cheaply. I really dont trust the carbon forks for carrying panniers so keep the weight low in them. As you can see on the pic of the surly,CX bikes have a higher centre of gravity, also an issue with toe overlap.

I have toured with 20kg of kit on mine but after a few 'upgrades' to it, have also used it for commuting and roadie type stuff.

 

[wakou]

The gearing may be too high,

On a Tricross? Mine came with 50/39/30 Front with 11-34 rear... Too high? Surely not?!

 

[doog]

On a Tricross? Mine came with 50/39/30 Front with 11-34 rear... Too high? Surely not?!

yes very much so on a bike loaded with camping kit and panniers that gearing may not be suitable on hills / mountains unless you like mashing your knees / walking or are youngish and fit .

You can however drop the inner ring to a 26 or maybe a 24 ...that would reduce the gear inches.

Worth looking at this site http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/internal.html

 

[Aushiker]

yes very much so on a bike loaded with camping kit and panniers that gearing may not be suitable on hills / mountains unless you like mashing your knees / walking or are youngish and fit .

I agree, it does sound like it for a loaded tourer. Looking at the specs for touring bike such as the Surly Long Haul Trucker there is quite a difference in the gearing. Maybe for credit card touring it would be okay?

Andrew

 

[Bikerchick]

I have a surly long haul trucker for touring and is really fit for the job. Rides really well with front and rear panniers and a handlebar bag. They aren't too expensive either but are definitely built for the job

 

[suffolkcindy]

I would love a surly long haul trucker but never found a small enough frame for a 5'3" woman