Croix de Fer owners club

I was thinking about machining a crap 1⅛" → 1½" adapter like this at one point. Tester reckoned it wouldn't work...

Dear CDF owners,

I’m thinking of joining your Cru. Just wondering on sizing.

I’m just over 6ft - would you go for a M or L?

Appreciate any help.

Cheers

I’m 189 cm and have ridden an XL and an L - and I’m happier on the L.

Get an L for sure, I think you would feel cramped on an M.

Same height, usually a 56 on anything.

Happily riding a medium CDF

Croix de Fer owners- I have a 2017 model with a 38c Vittoria Revolution (with graphene no less) on the front and want to know if anyone has put a similar sized tyre on the rear with mudguard clearance? I have a 30mm on there at the mo with loads of clearance- Planet X have 35c and 38c for £8- which one should I get?

I run mine with 35mm schwalbe g-ones and sks longboards. I don’t think I could go up to 40mm with guards but there is probably space for a few more mm depending on the tyre.

TBH I will probably go for the 35c in the back and 38c front to be on the safe side- I cant be arsed to take the tyre off the front to try in the back!

same £8 38c tyres fit under guards on my day one from 2017

Thanks Amey, I really miss my day one for blatting around on!

I have the £8 Continental Sport Contact's in 42mm and SKS Bluemels AND a bit of extra space on the 2017 725 model.

Not going back from the £8 tyre life. Barely had any punctures on them as well.

Oo, considering these for Dirty Reiver now. Any chance you've tried them on gravel?

£8 Continental Sport Contact's in 42mm

Aw yis. Love mine

They're quite slick but if it's dry no issue. Run them between 40-60psi. The dots on the tread can clog a little with really wet mud. Dry gravel would be fine.

To be honest they're so cheap and no-nonsense I kind of forget they are there most of the time...

I got an email about late entry to this, am still considering it. Are you all booked up for it?

I enjoyed it last year, looking forward to it this year! I think at this stage, you might find it hard to find accommodation nearby.

I'm from the area so it shouldn't be a big problem, will have a read of the thread

I'm on the look out for a CDF, either full bike, or frame and forks. Probably a M to fit a 170cm (5'7") female with quite a relaxed position. Let me know if anyone is selling.

Also, from a purchasing point of view, is there a big difference in the frames over the years? What are the best years to go for?

I have the 2017 CDF and have run 42c spesh sawtooths with guards.

The sizing is a bit funny I found. I'm 5'10" and ride a Small. The effective top tube on a medium is 561mm vs 544mm on a small, so not relaxed for someone 5'7"

I'm 187cm tall and ride an XL, in order to run a shorter stem and wide bars for sharper steering off-road, and longer wheelbase is nice and stable on rough stuff when loaded.

for what its worth, the 2013 (and 14?) models have quite a short headtube, which might be good to keep in mind if looking for a less aggressive position. I've ended up using quite a lot of spacers on mine (but I'm cursed with long legs and short torso). No idea how this compares to later models.

Thanks. She has tried her friend's who has this one in medium and thought it felt good. I thought a small might be a better fit; ideally she can do a test ride.

She is coming from a mtb with a very high set of flat bars so it's hard to do a direct comparison. Does anywhere in London have a decent stock of CDFs?

wow thanks for all the replies, 42mm WITH guards is nuts- I have plumped for the conservative 35mm £8 tyre, if there is loads of clearance I will go to a larger size when/ if these wear out

London Bicycle Workshop on Clerkenwell tend to have all the Genesis bikes in stock in one size or another.