Good budget CX frames to look out for?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by stefus_prime

I was wondering if you guys have any tips for which steel framesets I should look for in the sub-$400 range? So far I've only been eyeing Gunnars, Poprad,etc but haven't had much luck yet find any in my range. What are some other popular makes I should look out for on the classifieds/craigslist/etc that would make for good CX/light touring bikes? My main goal is to get a solid frame I can build up and keep for some time. I'm pretty new to CX so pardon my ignorance.

Edit: I forgot to specify I'm looking for steel

You already mentioned a really good, steel, all arounder-great for cross, touring, commuting..Gunnar Crosshairs, hard to beat. Keep looking or contact Richard at Waterford..he may have one, a used one, for sale.

Richard Schwinn <richard@waterfordbikes.com>

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

You already mentioned a really good, steel, all arounder-great for cross, touring, commuting..Gunnar Crosshairs, hard to beat. Keep looking or contact Richard at Waterford..he may have one, a used one, for sale.

Richard Schwinn <richard@waterfordbikes.com>

I shot him an email, I didnt even think to do that. Hopefully he has something haha

[Erik_A]

Soma Double Cross: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/double-cross

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by Erik_A

Soma Double Cross: http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/double-cross

I was considering it but with a fork it drives the cost up a bit. I was thinking of trying to find a used one.

[Lucasp]

I'll add another recommendation of the Cross Check. I've been racing cross on it for three seasons and love the ride.

Plus I can throw full renders and rack on it for the winter months.

[miguel]

not sure if you're still looking
but i had an ahearne cyclecross frame that was really fantastic. sold it because new bikes and s-1 but i think the current owner may be selling it
here's his flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tysasi/

he also makes some pretty rad custom porteur racks (for value pricing!)

[JeffS]

When Armstrong dicked over LeMonde, Trek branded their cyclocross bike a Gary Fisher Presidio. Initially, it was a steel Poprad with Gary Fisher stickers on it instead of LeMonde. Later, I think it became a carbon bike before they kicked Gary to the curb as well.


Pay close attention to many of these steel cross bikes. Poprad, crosscheck etc. do you really want a high bottom bracket? Low head tube? Maybe you do, maybe you don't. Does material really matter if you're riding fat tires?


For me, the Cannondale CX9 has an ideal geometry and is cheap (but not steel). Additionally, GT copied their geometry for quite a few years. I forget the model name.

All that said, it doesn't sound like you really want a cross bike anyway. I mean, if you're not actually going to race it at some point, there are better options. Only old fools choose canti brakes without a good f'in reason.