Pure race CX machine

I’m looking for a proper cross frameset, carbon or steel. I need a pure racing machine, not for touring. I’d like to use cantilever brakes. (I also started a topic in the WTD, so I’d like suggestions here…)

Thanks in advance!

Kinesis CSix2 or Ibis Hakkalugi?

Edited: I had originally suggested the Kinesis Evo5, which is mostly alu with carbon seatstays only.

what do you want to know! budget etc…this is kinda my job so ill try to help

Kinesis.

Columbus are very nice , available from Paul milnes in bradford

Ooops….deffinately CSIX2 ive got two of those,forget to mention that bit and how bloody good they are.

Proper cross, well..

Steel – Ritchey Swiss Cross
Carbon – Anything by Ridely

I’d like to know more about geometry of specific models. I don’t like alloy frame any more. (I’ve just cracked one.) I’m interested in Your opinion about steel or carbon frames with race-ready geometry. (And budget options, too.)

Empella, Ridley and Stevens would be on my list to look at.

I like the Swiss Cross very much, but that’s a little bit pricy.

Let’s see the budget options?

What about Kaffenback with carbon forks? Or Charge Filter? (Are they too relaxed, touring frames?)

You need to stick to proven cross geo,Kinesis,Ritchey (from scott) as well as the obvious ridleys,Depends on your price range,but people buying no name frames from china have big issues with handling due to design,Ive raced cross since a very young age and getting right fit on the bike (not road bike or mtb fit) is really more key than material.Take LS for an example who rides the same frames year on year because they are perfect fit for a cross racer of his size.Ive declinded sponsors bikes for poor fit and it makes a huge difference,Charge and planet x arent race bikes…hope that helps

Addict CX, S-Works Crux, Trek Cronus are all v nice, but out of budget I’m guessing.

eBay carbon frame?

My alu frame has just cracked, so I have to replace that asap. I’m out of cash, so I’m looking for second hand frames, but race-ready geometry. But… what about that chinese carbon ebay frames? Are they totally crap?

I’d like one of these. Hand made stainless steel out of Boston.

EDIT: After your last post; possibly a bit out of budget. 😉

First I’d say, don’t write off alu frames just because you cracked one- anything can break.

Second, I think I responded to your original wanted ad offering a scandium-and-carbon Voodoo Limba? I can’t talk to you about race performance etc as I’m a duffer, but it came highly recommended to me. Just doens’t fit unfortunately.

Sure, alu frames can be good… but I don’t like more. At least now. 😀

Alan are very nice too
here:
http://www.zepnat.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,61/Itemid,48/

Those Flanders frames are really nice, not sure how pricey they are though. Otherwise, Cannondale, Ridley, Scott, Spesh, Trek, Stevens, Blue, Focus all produce good carbon race frames.

Out of interest, what was your previous bike and did you like it (other than the fact that it cracked)?

What size are you after? I’ve seen a few second hand bikes around. I think wheelbase had some ex team bikes in (although built rather than frames).

cannondale super X

Can i suggest to you a Forme Hiver? Cheap as chips £250 on ebay at the moment light with full carbon fork inc steerer.

A lad in the NE races on one and has just signed for Rapha squad so must be good enough for high end racing. I have one but im not as good as him. Generally top 10 at local events.

Stick some nice tubs on them and your done.

Faiing that spend loads on one of these – Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie

Stupid money?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Parlee…………………….

Unfortunately I no longer own this, never even got it built up 🙁

I took a gamble buying it, sadly it was too big. At least I got what I paid for it so nothing lost. It did feel good in my hands though.

tralildog – I’m after size 54/55. I used to ride a Merida CC4, but was a little bit relaxed for me…

Bikerbruce – What do you mean by a cx specific fit??

I notice a lot of cx bikes have short head tubes?

The ibis is beautiful so Is the new Ridley xfire disc……

For pure racing buying a steel frame is slapping a lot of weight on straight away.

What do You think about the chinese frame FM058? It has a BB drop 58mm…

I believe the specialized crux elite ali frame is a winner…however I heard the geometry is suited more for american cx (as they have a lower bb) European cx geometry have higher due to all the mud (might be wrong though – but something to consider)

The Stevens bikes from Germany look good.

The Columbus bikes from Paul Milnes are tried and tested (very popular among racers) ali again though.

have you looked at the singular kite – thats steel and race geometry!

the focus mares look good (Rapha will be racing on the carbon version next year) the owner is apparently an old cx champion too.

Id be tempted to try a low weight ali frame and some tubs!

will you be actually racing on it? or just trails?

Yes, I’ll be racing on it! That’s why I need a pure racing machine! For those bloody Sundays… 😀

You should really look at Ali frames also. Just because the Merida cracked (I’ve heard of a few which have). I’ve seen a few cracked steel frames also.

The Scott CX bike is a good race bike and I’ve seen loads of them around on ebay.

Cx specific geo is things like,Not agressive Sloping tubes,Personally i like a deep head tube for stiffer fork,Maybe consider fork mounted brake hangers? shoulder’ablity so clean lines and grab points.
Regarding forme bikes,Adam is mainly a cracking rider his bike doesnt make much difference and has a mega engine but they are dead porkie! In terms of material a decent ally frame is as good as some carbons.
If i was buying id look along for big clearance and things that make real differences come the winter races.
I might be bias for kinesis as i ride for them,but genuinely no one ever complains about them clogging,geometry or value…
Bruce if you need more help contact me and im happy to go into more depth

The most important is the geometry of the frame… and the material is only the 3rd or 4th in the queue.

What about this?

interesting post this!

is there any comfort to be had from carbon or steel frames on a 1 hour cx race? comfort & cx racing don’t go together in my book.

a stiff Ali frame with decent wheels and tires is where its at. group sets & braking isnt as important to me.

mud clearance is a biggie though & will finish your race if your frame or set up suffer from it.

A steep head angle for turning through tight cx courses and a slightly more relaxed seat angle to get your weight over the back wheel has to be a good thing?

For ali frames definitely look at the Specialized TriCross and the Giant TCX. Paired with a good set of wheels and tubs these bikes have won national and world champs.

whats a popular tub wheelset?

Reflexes on whatever hubs you fancy. Cheap, light, and strong. Spend money on the tubs rather than the wheels.

I’m not sure, tubs are normally built up to spec, so there are less factory wheelsets available.

Having said that a fair few people are on random Chinese carbon jobies from e-bay this season.

I’m using Velocity, Major Tom’s with Hope Pro3 hubs.

Classic other rim choices are Ambrosio Nemesis and Mavic Reflex.

Alu frames are hard to repair. I know that the geometry is the most important…

I don’t like the Tricross, that frame has long chainstay.

Sorry, meant Crux, not TriCross 😳

Anyway the Crux has a 425mm chainstay, whilst the TriCross has a 440mm one. Plenty short enough.

As for repair, well both ali and carbon are tricky but can be done, but for pure racing the weight disadvantage of steel rules it out.

To be fair I can’t say I’ve ever bought a frame based on how easy it was to repair.