Thinking of riding cross this winter..

[jmaccyd]

Bike issues though. I have an old Mercian 531 touring style bike with canti brakes and large clearances. Is it worth spending a little cash to get it 'cyclocrossed' up to give the sport a go? I assume this is what riders did in the 'old days' before really specialist kit became available

 

[Bigtwin]

Sport of Kings, so why not.

Whatever you use it'll kill you anyway once it's covered in thick mud n stuff!

 

[palinurus]

Sounds like it'll work to me. There's only one way to find out anyway.

How much extra kit do you think it'll need? you might not need much more than some fat tyres.

 

[jpembroke]

Definitely worth a go. Better to try it on an existing bike and see if you like it first rather than splash out on a new one.

What gears does the Mercian have? And what condition are the wheels in?

 

[jmaccyd]

Definitely worth a go. Better to try it on an existing bike and see if you like it first rather than splash out on a new one.

What gears does the Mercian have? And what condition are the wheels in?

Got some old cross laced touring wheels and odds and sods of kit. I will get a compact chainset to complete the look. Just wondered if at cyclocross races I would look a bit out of place, but as one poster as stated once it is caked in mud no one will now what it is anyway!

 

[jpembroke]

Don't worry about looking out of place - you get people riding all sorts of bikes in cross races. Just get stuck in, have a good time, and don't forget to sprint to the first turn ;-)