Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club

I'm thinking about entering the Rapha Super Cross (for a laugh) under the novice/costume category. I've got a carbon road bike. I'd appreciate any advice/tips from experienced club members about whether this is likely to wreck my bike (and it's my only bike) or whether carbon road bikes can hold up to the rigours of cyclocross.

I assume I'd have to get some nobbly tires put on, and possibly swap my pedals for MTB style pedals.

Link to the event:
http://raphasupercross.com.au

Could my esteemed colleagues please shed light on whether I am a fool to consider doing it on my carbon road bike?

Cheers,
Rajiv

Risky I would think but I've never done cyclocross.
If you come on the La Pa ride in the morning some of the wise heads will have more of an idea.
Peter

My friend rode for Rapha in cyclocross films over asia , bike-wise he was using his Dogma at that time if I recall, but that stood up ok.
However he wrecked his Shamals wheelset.

There's a reason why Rapha Continental riders get a Ti Firefly bike with bomb proof wheels.

if you can get knobbly tyres on in the first place. i thought converting a fixie of mine into a cross bike was just a matter of pedals and tyres. i had a few other issues, but the main ones were chain stay clearance, and brake clearance. i had to buy a new set (well old vintage non aero) brakes, and then i went from 35mm to 32mm tyres to accommodate fro the chain stay clearance.
i'm using a poorly made $20 steel frame from the 80's off e-bay... and the road bike geometry and clearance is still really tight.

i would recomend finding someone with 32mm cross tyres and see if you can get that on your bike first. if that works, then start buying stuff.

p.s.
carbon road bike will survive a cross race just fine. i used to take mine mountain biking all the time. as long as you dont crash the frame into something hard, the bike will survive

An excellent way to scratch the Jamis regardless of knobbly tyres or MTB pedals!

Hmm, maybe I'll stick to being a spectator for now.

Thank you all for your tips.

The good thing is; if you trash it, you'll need a new one!! Have a crack!

I think I may spectate too. Too poor for a new bike. haha

I'm just going to throw this out there and see if anyone is tempted:
A weeks ago, I found a steel frame put out for curb-side collection. It's an Europa frame with flat bars but takes a 700c wheelset (tested on my Fulcrum 5s). It should be able to accommodate 32mm or 35mm tyres. It comes equipped with cantilever brakes, a triple crankset, but no wheels, seat or seat-post, and a very rusty chain. Not sure of the state of the dérailleurs.
If you want to take it off my hands and built it up into a cyclocross frankenbike, as I was intending, my wife would be ever grateful. You <i>could</i> swap parts from your road bike onto the Europa and race in the super cross.

Tempting indeed! What size is it?

Tempting indeed! What size is it?

Rough measurement puts the seat tube at 56cm.

A little big for me. But I'm sure you'll have other takers. Europa alley trash! What could be better.