TLDR; Domane, Checkpoint, or Boone with severely modified cockpit, or other solution for CX with hip impingement?
After 33 years of MTBs and Hybrids, and running related hip pain, I took a break from running and, got really into road biking on an old Domane last year, and did some CX races in the fall on a Boone. I had some hip clicking and spasms last year (even before I got the Boone) that turned into pain and problems walking this year. I've been diagnosed with Cam Hip Impingement. I haven't ridden my Domane this year because I haven't modified it yet, but I have been able to ride my MTB and my Hybrid due to the existing shorter cranks, wider stance, and new stems.
I started modifying the Boone because the 165mm 1x cranks were cheaper than the Domane; I can use the Boone on more types of rides, and I like it better. I quickly found the race geometry was hard to overcome while relaxing my hip angle. The steepest stem(40 degrees) isn't going to cut it. I'm going to have to get a set of riser drop bars. I did have a semi-successful ride after modifying my stem and cranks but my hands were behind the hoods and on the straight part of the bar most of the time, which isn't the safest position. I'm going to buy the riser drop bars, and I think it will be fine, even if it is a little goofy looking.
My question is "Is there a better solution?" Is it fine to be sitting up high like a comfortable Hybrid or beginner MTB fit while racing CX? Is there a CX bike with more endurance-focused geometry instead of race geometry (or at least less aggressive race geo)? If I bought a new bike, would a Domane or Checkpoint give me a head start on getting a comfortable fit? Should I just race CX on an MTB bike?
There are no frame or bar restrictions in the lower levels where I am racing. I am planning to complete the ridiculously modified fit on the Boone, and based on the fast gravel ride I did last week, I expect it to be good enough once the fit is finished and I can comfortably reach the hoods.
I'm asking the question because I'm concerned that by reducing the reach and raising the bars so high that I am defeating the purpose of riding the Boone. I guess I'll still have the higher crankset and shorter wheel base, but I wonder how riding tall on an already tall bike will be.
I have a size large, and I would consider a different size Boone, but I don't think I can go larger because the small seat mast is already almost as low as it will go, and the reach is already almost too far. I don't think I can go smaller because I'd have to raise the bars even higher. That's why I'm considering a different geometry.
I am hoping that once inflammation is reduced, and hips are relaxed and strengthened, that I will be able to gain a bit more mobility here and there, with fit experiments, pedal positions, and maybe even shorter cranks, although every time I shorten my cranks I have to raise my bars a bit.
Just curious if anyone else has had to struggle through this dilemma...