i rode a Lemond Poprad for a couple of years until it got stolen a few weeks ago. i'm constrained by money (i.e. unemployment) for a replacement, as in under $1000, as in *way* under $1000. it's pretty hard to find any cyclocross bikes--new or used--in that price range, so i'm considering a road bike. my question is: how much can i treat a road bike like a CX bike?
i didn't race cross, i mostly wanted it for light trail riding. i ride 20-30 miles daily and i do about 80% road, about 10% hardpack smooth dirt trails and about 10% gravel/stone and washboard trails. i was pretty happy with the Poprad, liked the feel of steel, though i've never had an aluminum bike. can i do some light trail riding on a wispy road bike without worrying about crumpling it up? are the wheels the weakest link for non-asphalt riding? are those skinny little tires going to flat-out a lot if i go off-road?
i rode a Lemond Poprad for a couple of years until it got stolen a few weeks ago. i'm constrained by money (i.e. unemployment) for a replacement, as in under $1000, as in *way* under $1000. it's pretty hard to find any cyclocross bikes--new or used--in that price range, so i'm considering a road bike. my question is: how much can i treat a road bike like a CX bike?
i didn't race cross, i mostly wanted it for light trail riding. i ride 20-30 miles daily and i do about 80% road, about 10% hardpack smooth dirt trails and about 10% gravel/stone and washboard trails. i was pretty happy with the Poprad, liked the feel of steel, though i've never had an aluminum bike. can i do some light trail riding on a wispy road bike without worrying about crumpling it up? are the wheels the weakest link for non-asphalt riding? are those skinny little tires going to flat-out a lot if i go off-road?
thanks.
Find a mid-80s road bike with longer chainstays and good clearance for wider tires. You should be able to find a decent one for maybe $150-200 depending on the condition. Or from free and up at garage sales, etc. Fix it up and go ride.
The biggest factor for you will be tire clearance. Most recent road racing bikes will barely handle a 25mm tire. You can go off road with any bike, but if you can go up to 32mm or so it'll be better.
Find a mid-80s road bike with longer chainstays and good clearance for wider tires. You should be able to find a decent one for maybe $150-200 depending on the condition. Or from free and up at garage sales, etc. Fix it up and go ride.
Seconded. There are lots of old, unloved bikes out there just waiting to be polished up and ridden.
