The 'Do I want a Cross bike' thread (another 'what bike')
The 'Do I want a Cross bike' thread (another 'what bike')
Author
Discussion

Shuttle Cock

Original Poster:

414 posts

237 months

Monday 4th February 2013
quotequote all
Hello all,

Just after a bit of info from those in the know, I started riding again about 18 months ago on a Norco hybrid (ebay bargin), this was six months later joined by a Triban 3 from Decathlon, as I was mostly riding on the road, but didn't want to spend a massive amount of money, just in case a full on road bike wasn't my thing. I haven't touched the hybrid since, and is now waiting for its new owner to pick it up.

Anyway, enough of the waffling on, I'm looking at getting a second bike, and have been tempted by the 'cross style' bikes as reviewed in CP last month, or be seduced by a new pure roadie?

I usually just ride on the road, and have done a few sporives on the Triban, which has been excellent, the only cycling club i belong to is more into relaxed rides, not racing which suites me.

I have a strict £1000 budget, and would like to purchade new; your sugestions and comments are appreciated. The main thing a iwant to know is will i be dissapointed by the crosser using road tyres, or will I be lusting after another roadie (thiking of a Planet-X)?

Thanks,
Graham

CoolC

4,500 posts

243 months

Monday 4th February 2013
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Watching the replies on this one, as I have a twitching trigger finger for another Ride2Work voucher (Evans only) but none of the road bikes in the sub £1000 bracket are really grabbing me. If I expand the range to cover CX there might be something for me.

McFsC

578 posts

181 months

Monday 4th February 2013
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Boardman Road Comp for £950. Get some pedals/cleats/shoes for under £100.

Done.

BadgerBenji

3,534 posts

247 months

Monday 4th February 2013
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Get it bought, both of you.

No you won't be dissappointed with a cyclocrosser on the road with proper road tyres, the only thing is the brakes aren't quite as sharp as a set of dual pivots but you wouldn't really notice this on a normal ride, and the better you get the more your ride should flow anyway.

I use my SuperX as a road training bike in the summer and find it to be lovely and comfortable, and a more than adequate road machine. Still running the 46/36 gearing, yes I don't have the ultimate top speed, but it's nice to climb with.

In £1000 range there is a Cannondale CaadX which would be my choice, but I am a cannondalephile. The Whyte and the Genesis offerings get a good write up for the more recreational cross ride rather than the flat out racer. Another one not to be ignored is the Boardman, disca and a good aluminium frame. Good time of year to be buying a cross bike as there are plenty of offers on them as the race season has now really come to an end frown



Out of the £1000 budget but I couldn't resist smile

Shuttle Cock

Original Poster:

414 posts

237 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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Thanks for the replys, just got to look round for something suitable.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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Cotic X or Genesis

Rob_T

1,916 posts

280 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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i can thoroughly recommend the genesis vapour as a cross bike. been using it daily to ride to work with. brilliant on the road. also done long distances eg 120 mile rides and its super. not a fast bike (but from your post doesn't seem to be a requirement) but comfortable, solid and reliable. bought about 2 years ago now for £899. fine with road wheels and tyres (i'm assuming you want 700x25 or the likes)

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

238 months

Tuesday 5th February 2013
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I'd really like a CX for summer bridlepath pootling.

For riding on the road though: road bike every time.

Shuttle Cock

Original Poster:

414 posts

237 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
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Quite tempted by this, well inside budget, any thoughts?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Thanks
Graham

BadgerBenji

3,534 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
quotequote all
Shuttle Cock said:
Quite tempted by this, well inside budget, any thoughts?

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-b...

Thanks
Graham
That is a billy bargain, good specification, have had the fulcrum 7 cx wheels that it comes with, not the lightest, but they didn't buckle, even getting them airborne. Tempted to that for a warm up bike/spare.

Barbarossa

144 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
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If you're only going to ride on the road, sell your current bike and spend more on a new road bike. However...

CX racing is great fun. A CX bike is fine on the road and on surprisingly hard off road, so sell your current bike and buy a better CX bike!

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
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Gizmoish said:
I'd really like a CX for summer bridlepath pootling.

For riding on the road though: road bike every time.
pah! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEjbyRlTR3A

Shuttle Cock

Original Poster:

414 posts

237 months

Wednesday 13th February 2013
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pablo said:
This kind of treatment is fine, ubtil you have to pay for your own kit :-)