Cycling UK Forum

reohn2 wrote:

Claireysmurf wrote:Evans Cycles now has 2014 Croix de Fer for £1035

Yebbut the wheelset is lower spec,the drivetrain and compact OBB chainset aren't suitable for anything other than light touring,then there's the brakes,which just aren't BB7's and never will be
So for just over a £1000,you get a bike that needs upgrading for any serious touring,and even then it's limited to 32mm tyres.TBH Spa's own steel tourer beats it hands down IMO.A custom built Surly DT or Salsa Vaya would be miles better for another £150,ships ha'pennyworth,tar,and all that jazz.....

I only mentioned it as most of this thread has been about the Croix de Fer and having built one from parts, think at this price I would have been tempted to buy a built bike and modify it. 'orses for courses innit?!
Why are the 2014 Croix de Fer brakes inferior to Avid BB7 (I have BB7 on mine)

My Croix de Fer has been built from parts and its birth hasn't been all plain sailing.

I love it BUT...it seems so much harder work than my Dawes Clubman was and quite slow. So far it has been on 32mm tyres (I ran the Clubman on 25mm and then went to 28mm) and tonight changed the tyres over to 28mm ones. When I was doing that, with the bike turned upside down, noticed that the wheels would spin readily but as the speed dropped, they stopped more quickly than I would have expected, as if there was some friction. I am pretty sure that the brakes (BB7) are not dragging. What else should I be checking? The wheels have Deore XT hubs.

Evans Cycles now has 2014 Croix de Fer for £1035

My bum says B17. I am due a tax refund so may treat myself to a black B17 then, but may consider a Selle Royal or similar/

I love not having to wear padded shorts when cycling. Another first world cycling problem is that I am quite tall and that padding in cycling shorts often looks very odd on me; they don't pull up quite enough at the moment, looking like a man package

Enough of my 'sheer misery' at my low level cycling moans. What about your first world cycling problems?

My new Croix de Fer is graphite grey in some parts, but mainly black with a tiny bit of bright metal.
This evening I put my tan Brooks B17 on it. I feel so conflicted by it now. It looks so out of place, a bit like a 1960s Prime Minister wearing suede shoes on official duties.

It doesn't look curved to me, just identical to the one that is on the back that should have gone on the front. I haven't fitted it yet so I will take a photo if/when I get it on.

pioneer wrote:There is another type of Day One/CDF. It's basically a slightly downgraded CDF. Can't remember the model name but a fine looking bike.

Isn't that the CDF? As opposed to the Croix de Fer?
http://road.cc/content/review/61480-genesis-cdf

reohn2 wrote:Nice bike
But there's a glaring and potentially dangerous error.
The safety breakaway mudguard stay clips have been fitted to the rear mudguard instead of the front .
I'd fit a pair to the front if I were you,it might never happen but if it does you'll wish you had

From Rosebikes 97p x 2
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/xtre ... /aid:50851

I understood that SKS P50 mudguards will allow 35mm tyres on the Croix de Fer.
I run mine on SKS P45 with 32mm tyres.

I have only done 100 miles or so on mine but in reference to the OP talking about weight, I happily hammered through Pembrey Forest on its fire track roads, some of which were really quite rutted. The Croix de Fer felt great on the paths. I think I weight 100kg ish.

Yes, occasionally.

I was browsing and came across this. Is this amazing value or a BSO?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0085SG6IE/r ... play0bb-21

Thanks

I can manage the Anglo Saxon utterings. The rest I can wing

I realise this thread is 4 years old, but I have just bought some M324 and would like to attach reflectors. Could anyone suggest which ones I should buy?

There are quite a few articles about Martyn Ashton out there and apparently he has lost sensation (and presumably control) in his lower body. Coverage currently suggests he will never ride again.
http://dirt.mpora.com/news/legend-marty ... trial.html

The only location I identified was Porthcawl in South Wales (about 4.40 I think)
These are amazing stunts but it is maybe telling that Martyn Ashton was unable to do all of the stunts as he has suffered 'life changing injuries' after a fall on his bike in September.