Cyclocross - CX and SSCX races and training

It's a date!

I quite like the routine. It's a short process, just spread over a few days.

After riding clinchers all summer and then using my mud tubs at Herne Hill I've decided a cheap secondary intermediate wheelset is a worthwhile investment.

Hi, newb question here: switched from fixed gear to CX lately, bought a used bike and gotta change some parts of it. Chainrings. Which ones shall i purchase - mtb or road use?

Does it matter what cassete i got in the back? All i know is that it's 110 bcd. What else shall i know?

Edit:

Also the current one is 46t i think, the highest gear feels a bit too easy for me for commuting, is it okay to switch to some 48 or even 52? I basically don't know shit about bikes with gears.

Easiest way to think about it is that a cross bike is a road bike with easier gearing, knobblies and larger clearances.
A 46-36 up front is the most common stock setup, but it really depends on what you're using the bike for. If it's just for commuting/road stuff then you could go higher, but if you're going to ride it off-road (recommended) then you'll be thankful for the easier gearing.

Stay with the road stuff, unless you're gagging to go 1x10/11 in which case you could get a narrow wide MTB ring.

or something.

110 BCD stronglight rings are good value and come in all the tooth counts. Spa Cycles sell them.

The cassette matters more than the rings. Perhaps read this: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/08/beyond-the-big-ring-understanding-gear-ratios-and-why-they-matter/

There is probably a more appropriate thread.

I think I saw on here/somewhere something about registration on riderhq for the londonxleague.

Can someone confirm this? Do I have to register there first, then sign on for the races I want to do? rather than risk it on the day?

(sorry for not UTFS)

Their email says:

we strongly advise that you register for the series and enter each event in advance, because entering on the day involves longer queues and higher charges

Also the current one is 46t i think, the highest gear feels a bit too easy for me for commuting, is it okay to switch to some 48 or even 52? I basically don't know shit about bikes with gears.

You are running a 46T with a normal cassette, right? I find it hard to imagine that 46/11 or 46/12 is too spinny for a commute! Is that what you mean?

that's what I thought, I couldn't remember what information stream contained the information.

thanks!

Thank you for doing that. Quite helpful. I am going to race this season. Is it all pay and play or do you need membership in clubs and payed license? Maybe just a link to where I can read about it?!

I think affiliation to most leagues is about £15 if you're not representing an affiliated club. You can just turn up and pay on race day but you pay more. Some form of British Racing license is required (though day licenses can be purchased at sign-on usually).

If you're planning on doing more than a few races in the league affiliation and a bronze racing license make sense.

Information on the London League , Eastern and Central.

Don't forget that as a first time member of British Cycling you can get your first year of a Bronze license for free. See the LFGSS CC sub forum for details.

http://shop.lfgss.cc/products/formal-club-membership

Don't forget that as a first time member of British Cycling you can get your first year of a Bronze license for free. See the LFGSS CC sub forum for details.

@Hulsroy

Heh, i bought a used bike so it might be customized a little, will have to inspect it, but the smallest sprocket on the cassette is definitely not 11 or 12.

Thinking about leaving only 1 chainring in front if that's possible. So i basicly can put whatever road chainring i want, right?

Just spent about 3 hours (on and off over the past week) removing glue from a rim. Today's session was good though, nice warm temps softened the glue :0)

I am using tape from now on.

Tape's not strong enough on its own. Use both.

My part bin crank is wobbly not the bottom bracket. Anybody got something reasonably nice to go with the Absolute Black or Race Face narrow wide?

Thank you for answers all. You make life easy.

Thinking about leaving only 1 chainring in front if that's possible. So i basicly can put whatever road chainring i want, right?

Yeah that's possible. You'll need a widget to keep the chain on if using shimano. Maybe post a few pictures of the drivetrain as it stands?

Anyone have any experience with those cheap Merlin Carbotech K22 tubular wheels? Spoke count is a bit low at 24/28 but I figure I'll stick intermediates on them and only use them for a few races at the beginning of the season and as backups, so hopefully they'll last.

Bought these. Glued up with Vittoria intermediates they come in at about 3000 grams all in (cassette, QRs included). Spoke tension seems reasonably even so hopefully they last more than a few races. For a total price just over £100 they look to be a reasonable option for a light rider on a budget.

http://www.merlincycles.com/pair-deore-m525-disc-hubs-notubes-ztr-flow-29er-74866.html

These with Michelin mud/jet (33s).
Tempted for the pompetamine.

Sensible?

Flow is the DH rim IIRC. Bit overbuilt for CX.

You haven't seen @Chalfie race cross have you?