Anyone gone down this route tempted to by the Sabbath September disc version frame and build it up to my spec would I be frowned upon if I did the odd cx ride sportive?

Yes,and put bar ends on it 😉

Nope. The only restrictions on CX bikes is if you’re racing a national level race, UCI regulated or the 3 Peaks. Anything else – ride what you want.

If you had flat bars, then why not ditch the STI’s, get mtb shifters and hydraulic brakes, surely?

erm…don’t cx and road frames have shorter TTs than normal to allow for drop bar use? So may need to increase frame and/or stem length

faustus mtb shifters is what I had planned!

ahh OK, just took ‘STI’s’ literally…would have been weird otherwise!

Donk

I don’t think it makes any difference about the stem length.
On the hoods feels like the same position as bar ends on flat bars,or a set of these

I have two of them (flat bar, disc-braked roadies)

You do get some flak but it’s changing. You can run a slightly longer top tube but there’s not much in it. Both my bikes run 12cm stems so the equivalent drop-bar setup would be about a 10cm stem, which is pretty average these days.

Let me know if you need any setup advice – eg what mechs work with what, levers etc.

Fasthaggis, true and I’m sure it’s workable but OP didn’t mention bar ends also don’t people spend like >70% time on the hoods (with full access to shifters and levers) on drop bar setup compared to a lot less than that on bar ends on a flat bar setup?
(if you see what I mean – not explained it very well)

if you get the right bar width and decent bar ends then you can spend plenty of time on them, and they are equivalent to the hoods position. Obviously for braking and changing gear you move back to the grips but for road riding that isn’t actually that much of the time.

I think DONK’s right, there’s at least 6cm difference in top tube between my road and MTB bikes. If you can live with being that upright then it’ll be fine as long as the mechs/shifters/chainrings match.

Why not start with a 26″ Ti MTB frame and fit CX wheels?

AS above, check the geometry as on the tops of my bars I am very upright and it wouldn’t be a great position to ride into the wind for a long time.

You do realise thata flatbar cx bike is a hybrid, if you can live with that then go for it 😉 . Ride the bike you think will suit you best, don’t follow a fad.

I’ve just finished building this type of bike up and its been the best fun bike that i’ve built in a long time and bar ends are great.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/oKiTDk]2014-09-02 10.54.20[/url] by icr3640, on Flickr

I changed my lads charge plug from drops and sti’s to flat bars and mtb sti’s.

he hated it with drops, but now loves it with flats.

CX/Road bike with flat bars STI,s and disc brakes

You mean a hybrid?

I was looking for something like this for my mum’s boyfriend – there are a few on the market, so I think it’s acceptable…

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-bikes/cannondale-quick-cx-4-grey-2014-hybrid-bike.html

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/hybrid-bikes/cube-cross-black-mens-2015-hybrid-bike.html

bar ends will be on the agenda!

CX/Road bike with flat bars STI,s and disc brakes

Essentially a rigid 29er with narrower tyres then???

I’d just get a 29er and some different tyres…

#cyclinghastoomanysubniches…

Ergon grips with integrated bar ends – really comfy (seeing as you’re not fussed about noselookdowners)

Yup druid is right. You want a hybrid or a rigid 29er.