Hi
Just after any advice on this, What frame? What wheels? Gearing?
I only have a full susser so really after something to go round fire roads maybe commute, I like to travel fast so as light as possible.
I prefer flat bars.
Any one built one?
Any one got one they don't want?
I'm 5ft 8" on a good day.
email in profile.
Thanks
The Islabikes Beinn 29 as tested in the magazine a few months back sounds like what you want.
Isn't that what people used to call a Hybrid? 😉
Cotic RoadRats are great fun and surprisingly good off road despite the name. Top tube on the X may not lend itself to flat bars.
Pompetamime would also be a good base.
Surly Cross Check / Stragglers also very good and will work with flats but may not meet your lightweight criteria
Genesis Day One also an option?
Got a Pompetamine 8 in small (I'm 5'7" everyday and it fits great. It's got Mary bars on it at present but I have some straight flat bars you could have too. It's not the lightest but it is quick and has plenty of clearance with 700x35 tyres on it. Pics [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/48403784@N05/sets/72157636423978943/ ]here[/url]
I now have a light fast 29er and a cross bike.
I was quiet happy with the 29er but then I started to commute to work on road. I wanted something quicker with a 55 min commute every minute feels like it makes a difference so I got a crossbike and put on road tyres.
I've timed my self on strava repeatedly and I not any quicker on the cross bike even with road tyres. My quickest ride to work is still from early in the year on the 29er. Although some sections are quicker on the cross bike, but anything where I need to corner or stand up seems slower.
Therefore I'm wondering if it was worth buying a cross bike as I dont seem to be able to get used to it. Im so much quicker round corners and up steep hills on my 29er.
I've got crest 29er and have them tubeless with Bontrager XR1 Team Issue 29" 1.9" tyres.
On this basis I dunno if its worth getting a cross bike the 29er is so much more versatile and as long as you get the right wheels to me it doesnt seem that much slower. Especially if you need to sprint I just cant seem to get as much leverage from the narrow road bars.
Basically I'd say 29er with light wheels/tyres/tubeless.
I could sell you a Kona Jake frame, fork and wheels which would fit you great, and bundle in some other bits.
Have a look at the reviews and email me if interested, address in profile.
But as Sprocket Jockey suggests, you'd want a much longer stem on a CX frame with flat bars than you would have on your MTB.
Sorry forgot to say the Pompetamine above is for sale too 🙂
And its difficult to do as cheap as you'd maybe think because as soon as anyone puts anything like "cross" or "cx" in an ad then people start frothing in their pants.
Search for hybrid on eBay and you'll pick up something dirt cheap.
email in profile
Can tell a "classified only" poster!
What's your budget?
Kinesis Crosslights are nice, but light isn't cheap.
Can tell a "classified only" poster!
I wished.
Hi
Thanks for all advice, I have put some furious Fred's on the full Susser before now to use on the road and fire roads and it certainly motors along.
I just don't want to wreck it, anthem x 29er.
I had a road bike but poor road skills and going round corners like I do on a mountain I found myself in a hedge a few times. 🙂
Thanks
Flats on a CX bike, to be honest this sounds like a bike you just dont need.
Put some skinnys on your hardtail, whats the difference really?
most normal hardtail frames can take 700 x 35 wheels/tyres. i have an old titanium frame made up like this, great for trail quests, adventure races etc.
Keep an eye on Ebay for a Kona Smoke. I have one that's done 1000's of commuting miles without fuss. 29er steel framed flat barred with mudguards. Somewhere was selling 100's of them off at half price a few years ago so they generally go pretty cheap whenever I've seen them for sale.