[Closed] Converting a road bike to a CX. Is it possible ?

sell it I'm afraid.

Whilst everything will be strong enough and the gears look fine, you are unlikely to be able to fit cross tyres and there certainly won't be any mud clearance.

brakes and tyre clearance will be the issue - normal road brakes will just clag up with mud and even though there's room for a 'guard you may find tyre/mud clearance an issue on the frame.

And you'll be stuck with using road brakes too... They'll quickly fill up with mud.

Tyre clearance is the big issue. Both through the frame/fork, but also the brakes.

Road bikes use dual caliper brakes, cross bikes use cantilever brakes (though some now have discs).

If it has mudguards (as shown in the picture), then it's likely that it will take a tyre bigger than 23c. You *may* be able to get 28c tyres in there (though might have to lose the 'guards), although mud clearnace will be massively reduced.

If you want a CX bike, my suggestion would be to strip it, buy a cross frame and fork (like the Kinesis 5T) and transfer the kit over. Gearing tends to be lower on cross bikes, but if the chainset is a compact, then you can just fit smaller rings and carry on.

Sorry - not a straightforward answer.

CX geo will be slacker. Frame probably won't be up to it strength wise. Normal road wheels are generally ok unless you're a [i]really[/i] big bloke. Clearances might mean you won't even get CX tyres on there. You'd need to budget for some cantis or mini v brakes too.

I think the cost involved in sorting the parts though would you mean you've answered your own questions, sell and buy a proper CX 2nd hand.

It could be bodged but it'll be limited (size of tyres, clearance and to some extent geometry) and quite likely frustrating.

I'd suggest selling the frame, fork and brakes and get proper CX ones. The compact chainset will be ok (it's what I have on my CX) and the cassette is low enough too.

The wheels will be fine.

What is the 'off-road' you are wanting to do? If it's fireroads and towpaths etc, then that bike will probably handle them fine.
Otherwise, you won't be able to convert the bike to a CX bike.

Perhaps you are doing the wrong routes? I find road riding on lanes quite enjoyable. Road riding on busy A roads is a complete nightmare.

good point - some fattish road tyres (hybrid ones) would allow you to ride on towpaths and stuff just fine.

I'd also be interested to know what it is about road riding you don't enjoy

Thanks for the replies, you've all confirmed what I suspected, and that's before I knew about the brakes.
I might just swap the tyres for now. If I could use it on the canal towpath and a Sustrans route I'd be more inclined to commute on it. They are both hard surfaced, so mud clearance and gearing shouldn't be a problem.
I'll have to give up any plans to use it on the river bank though. That's not too much of a problem as there's a road detour I can use.

That bike and the wheels will be plenty strong enough for light off road riding - but do make sure you exhibit some common sense though. Just put some medium sized tyres on, checking the clearance and remove the mudguards.
I've ridden road bikes on gravel paths, tow paths and light off road for years - and one of them doesn't have clearance for 24mm tyres.
I think too many of you have this belief that road bikes are fragile and will break at the first sign of, well anything really.

Trade it in while it's still shiny...

What aP said.

I`ve ridden my Langster on a converted railway line with no problems, its a hardpack Towpath like surface.
Thats on 23mm Mondo slicks and its a surprisingly nice ride....

Strip it down, sell the frame and parts while they're still relatively new.
Keep the wheels, they'll make a great spare roadie set for the new CX bike (far less hassle than changing tyres all the time).

Road bikes cope fine with basic off-road, they're not as fragile as you think but mud clearance will be the big issue and the geometry/strength won't be up to proper off-road.

I'd say sell or swap quickly. Currently you've got a road bike which is half useful. It does the towpaths etc. The crosser that you want will do all those, and still have capacity to do the other bits of riding that you want.

i'm running 35c michelin world tour (@5 bar) hybrid type tyres on a pompino. they are capable enough for most off road jaunts on anything smooth and not too slippery.

I'd suggest trying some wider tyres first.

You'd need to budget for some cantis or mini v brakes too.

And presumably budget for a canti/v-brake specific frame and forks to put them as well 🙄

Thanks again for the suggestions.
I think, all in all, my best option is to see if I can fit some cross tyres while keeping the mudguards to make it a practical road & tow path commuter.
Once I've done a few more miles on it and got used to the drop 'bars, they still feel a bit weird to me, I might look in to getting a proper CX bike if I want to have a go at racing.

You won't be able to fit cross tyres on it. Just see what file tread tyres you can fit and use those - something like Vittoria Pave Evo-CG 24mm. Excercise some common sense in what you choose to ride.

You're right, you know.
I just had a quick search for cyclocross tyres and there's nothing under 30mm. My bike's got 23mm tyres.
The bike's not at home right now, so I'll have a look when I get a chance, but it's unlikely to have clearance for something that much bigger.

Just look at 28mm or smaller hybrid tyres, or just get a file tread tyre. You'll probably just fit them in as the picture on the verenti website looks like its got deep drop brakes.

I'd be surprised if you'll be able to fit anything bigger than 25mm tyres in there. You won't be able to bodge it, so don't try.

I'd strip it (as the parts are relatively new) and sell the frame, fork and brakes. Then buy a cross frame and fork and some cantis.