The other half has persuaded me to do some cyclo-x racing again later this year. The last time I did this was about 5 years ago on my old orange clockwork but I fancy getting a cross bike and give it a go.
I'm on a budget of about 1000pounds max but since my road bike is a 49cm frame with a 49cm top tube I don't want to buy a small man's bike. Does anyone have a small cross bike and if so what? Or has anyone got any recommendations please?
I know the kona jake the snake goes down to a 49cm frame but I cannot find a geometry chart so I don't know how long the top tube is.
(And I'm not going to Ribble!!!!)

It's funny you should mention cyclo-cross. I was just thinking over the weekend what colour to respray mine.

I have 2 x Empella Bonfire 'cross bikes. I think they are a 51cm frame, although not 100% sure.

Take a look at Kinesis crosslight frames - i'm not sure if they sell full bikes, you might need to buy frame and bits.

There's also Paul Milnes which has the same geometry as Empella - they do complete bikes.

The importer for Empella is a guy called John Holmes, his website is something like cyclocrossimports.com

If you need to know anymore, my hubby knows this stuff inside out, so feel free to ask.

By the way, the Kona's have a shorter top tube than any of the above.

Now, what colour shall I respray mine?

Ta.
I have spoken to Isla Rowntree in the vain hope that since she is making bikes again she might be able to a small cross frame but her new bikes are kids bikes.
From the women I know with cross bikes, the smaller women had a paul milne and a cooper but both had flat bars. Another had a bontrager but I'm not convinced that has enough mud clearance for UK winter mud. The one thing that puts me off the kona and I know this is going to sound shallow but it is bright orange - yuk.
I'll take a look at the empella bikes.....
I don't mind just getting a frame because I have all the campag daytona kit that I've stripped off one of my road bikes.





there is only one colour






BLACK





or brown to match the shecycles jersey :-)

LOL

I was thinking baby blue...

Don't even think about putting flat bars on it! Besides, you won't be able to enter the national series unless you have drop bars.

You'll have to come up north and do some Notts & Derby races on Saturdays with me!

Tell me about cyclo-cross bikes! Am I missing out on something here?

The 49cm Jake the Snake has a 53.2cm toptube, according to the geometry chart - http://www.konaworld.com/tech/technical_downloads/tech_downloads.htm - a bit on the big side, even if it wasn't jaffa orange ;o)

For £1000 you could easily go custom, with a sensible build... it might be the best option.

Sorry - and for Old Bird - 'cross bikes are road bikes with increased mud clearance, MTB-esque geomtery (shorter, higher and more relaxed), off-road tyres and canti (or sometimes disc) brakes. Lots of fun :o)

well in London....
roberts - I want something this year.
condor - hmmm not the best fit of women's bikes around.
Other choices...
de mayo - is he still around?
LA cycles might be a good bet if they are still going.

I wonder what the kids ride?

A 24" wheeled JtS? ;o)

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=350&parentid=253

(too small, but very cute!)

How about building your own frame with Dave Yates?

Hey,I've already looked at it :-)
I think it was just my browser at work that didn't like the kopna website.
Where is dave yates?

Lincolnshire - he's running week-long framebuilding courses.

http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/

Take AP as your welder's assistant? ;o)

Just hold those two tubes together dear.

Frrroooommmmmmmmm!!!!!!

AAARRRGGGGGGHHHH!@!!!!!

Sorry was that hot?

What could possibly go wrong? :o)

Just come across a De Salvo cross frame that might be a suitable size but has 26" wheels - will I be somewhat limited on tyre choice do reckon?

Yes. Stick with standard, it'll be much easier in the long run.

Besides you won't be able to enter the 3 Peaks or the National Series with 26" wheels!

'scuse me whilst I wipe the coffee off my keyboard !!!

Now c'mon, you know you want to!

Oh and black is definately a no-no for 'cross bikes.

I don't know - was looking at the surly cross check last night - black or british racing green......

You wait till you have to clean and buff the bikes when they are black!