Which Hybrid / Cyclecross ??
Discussion
Hello All,
This is a genuine cry for help and advice.
I used to ride road bikes a lot until about 10 years ago. I developed a sore neck, stiff shoulders and work got in the way.
I’m now 57 and would like to buy another bike.
Oh, a bit of physiotherapy and my neck and shoulders are now fine.
Someone suggested maybe my last road bike frame was too small ???
I was in the Lakes recently and visited Wheelbase.
The Cannondale CAADX 105 was suggested ~ It would do all I needed it to do.
Road work, cinder tracks, reclaimed railway lines and forest trails.
I would like to be able to get from A to B at a reasonable pace ( eventually :-) ) ~ and use it during the winter months. Mudguards etc ...
Anyhow, anyone with advice or comments please take the time and let me know …
Bike ? Any other alternatives ???
BikeRadar seem to rate the Cannondale ????
Price ? Around a £1K possibly a little more.
So at this amount I really would like to get it right.
So to end: Your comments please.
Last thing: I looked, just looked, at a £3K road bike in Wheelbase.
All carbonfibre…
I could not believe the lightness of it !!
Progress …………..
Regards and thanks,
Sam.
This is a genuine cry for help and advice.
I used to ride road bikes a lot until about 10 years ago. I developed a sore neck, stiff shoulders and work got in the way.
I’m now 57 and would like to buy another bike.
Oh, a bit of physiotherapy and my neck and shoulders are now fine.
Someone suggested maybe my last road bike frame was too small ???
I was in the Lakes recently and visited Wheelbase.
The Cannondale CAADX 105 was suggested ~ It would do all I needed it to do.
Road work, cinder tracks, reclaimed railway lines and forest trails.
I would like to be able to get from A to B at a reasonable pace ( eventually :-) ) ~ and use it during the winter months. Mudguards etc ...
Anyhow, anyone with advice or comments please take the time and let me know …
Bike ? Any other alternatives ???
BikeRadar seem to rate the Cannondale ????
Price ? Around a £1K possibly a little more.
So at this amount I really would like to get it right.
So to end: Your comments please.
Last thing: I looked, just looked, at a £3K road bike in Wheelbase.
All carbonfibre…
I could not believe the lightness of it !!
Progress …………..
Regards and thanks,
Sam.
Hi Sam,
I have a CAADX 105 and am extremely happy with it, it is a very capable bike with reasonably relaxed geometry, it’s nice and light and can carry a good speed on both tarmac and the rough stuff.
It feels well made and is nice and stiff, the only thing that lets it down (imho) are the wheels, fine on the road but once you hit the rough stuff the rims buckle. I chucked mine on the shelf in favour of some 105 hubs with Mavic Open Pro rims, much more durable and spin up a hell of a lot quicker, I picked up some handbuilt ones from Rutland for £150 delivered.
Quite often I have my road bike setup on the turbo trainer and cannot be faffed with swapping wheels over etc for a road training ride, so I simply take the CAADX! It is quite happy whizzing along tarmac and the Sammy Slick tyres it comes fitted with are a great ‘do it all’ tyre with reasonably low rolling resistance. I can happily average 18.5 mph over 30 odd miles and have topped it out at 46mph on a hill into Henley – so it’s no slouch!
It is amazing how adaptable it is as well; I rode the Ridgeway from Goring to Avebury on it a couple of weeks ago. Despite some very wet conditions it coped REALLY well. I covered about 20 miles of tarmac and 60 odd miles of wet chalk, boggy mud, grass, disused railway track etc – my shoulders ached by the end of the ride but only because I packed too much stuff in my backpack!
I would not hesitate recommending a CAADX for mixed surface riding, I love mine and really enjoy the fact I can set off for a road ride but pickup towpaths, bridleways etc if the mood takes me!
Buy one, you won’t regret it!!
I have a CAADX 105 and am extremely happy with it, it is a very capable bike with reasonably relaxed geometry, it’s nice and light and can carry a good speed on both tarmac and the rough stuff.
It feels well made and is nice and stiff, the only thing that lets it down (imho) are the wheels, fine on the road but once you hit the rough stuff the rims buckle. I chucked mine on the shelf in favour of some 105 hubs with Mavic Open Pro rims, much more durable and spin up a hell of a lot quicker, I picked up some handbuilt ones from Rutland for £150 delivered.
Quite often I have my road bike setup on the turbo trainer and cannot be faffed with swapping wheels over etc for a road training ride, so I simply take the CAADX! It is quite happy whizzing along tarmac and the Sammy Slick tyres it comes fitted with are a great ‘do it all’ tyre with reasonably low rolling resistance. I can happily average 18.5 mph over 30 odd miles and have topped it out at 46mph on a hill into Henley – so it’s no slouch!
It is amazing how adaptable it is as well; I rode the Ridgeway from Goring to Avebury on it a couple of weeks ago. Despite some very wet conditions it coped REALLY well. I covered about 20 miles of tarmac and 60 odd miles of wet chalk, boggy mud, grass, disused railway track etc – my shoulders ached by the end of the ride but only because I packed too much stuff in my backpack!
I would not hesitate recommending a CAADX for mixed surface riding, I love mine and really enjoy the fact I can set off for a road ride but pickup towpaths, bridleways etc if the mood takes me!
Buy one, you won’t regret it!!
personally, i would go with steel, it might be a bit heavier but it will be uber-comfy. have a look at the Charge Filter Apex or the Cotic X - http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/x/weekday/
I went a slightly different route, Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc. Hydraulic discs, front suspension with lockout. Feels like a similar weight to my older Trek FX 7.3.
Two sets of wheels, one with my commuting wheels (700x25) and one set with Schwalbe Rapid Robs that barely fit in the frame.
Its a reasonable commuting bike - have no problems keeping up with colleagues on traditional road bikes on the commute. And after putting on the Rapid Robs and throwing myself at some ridiculously muddy trails, I doubt that any of these CX bikes could have touched it over the conditions.
Two sets of wheels, one with my commuting wheels (700x25) and one set with Schwalbe Rapid Robs that barely fit in the frame.
Its a reasonable commuting bike - have no problems keeping up with colleagues on traditional road bikes on the commute. And after putting on the Rapid Robs and throwing myself at some ridiculously muddy trails, I doubt that any of these CX bikes could have touched it over the conditions.
MadDad said:
clonmult said:
And after putting on the Rapid Robs and throwing myself at some ridiculously muddy trails, I doubt that any of these CX bikes could have touched it over the conditions.
Google/youtube cyclocross then consider your last comment!! 
clonmult said:
MadDad said:
clonmult said:
And after putting on the Rapid Robs and throwing myself at some ridiculously muddy trails, I doubt that any of these CX bikes could have touched it over the conditions.
Google/youtube cyclocross then consider your last comment!! 
You would be surprised how well the CX bikes handle the muddy stuff, I have not had mine long but did the Ridgeway a few weeks ago after 2 solid weeks of rain and it was fine, in fact I pished past quite a few MTB-ers on the climbs and descents!
A set of 35mm tyres at 40 psi are extremely grippy!
MadDad said:
clonmult said:
MadDad said:
clonmult said:
And after putting on the Rapid Robs and throwing myself at some ridiculously muddy trails, I doubt that any of these CX bikes could have touched it over the conditions.
Google/youtube cyclocross then consider your last comment!! You would be surprised how well the CX bikes handle the muddy stuff, I have not had mine long but did the Ridgeway a few weeks ago after 2 solid weeks of rain and it was fine, in fact I pished past quite a few MTB-ers on the climbs and descents!
A set of 35mm tyres at 40 psi are extremely grippy!
I did say it looks fun .... I did have some relatively chunky tyres on my old hybrid (which was more of a CX style, I was running 700x35 for a while), and it was okay offroad.
I'll take your narrow 35mm tyres and say that the 55mm Schwalbes I have for offroad are likely in another league. But then I do have to change wheels if I'm swapping between on and offroad riding. Your 35mm tyres are likely reasonable for both conditions? If so, I could see how that would be preferable for a lot of people.
clonmult said:
Your 35mm tyres are likely reasonable for both conditions? If so, I could see how that would be preferable for a lot of people.
I am currently using 35mm Schwalbe Sammy Slicks, really good 'all-rounders'. Stick 60 psi in them and you can scoot along on tarmac and gravel at a decent speed, drop them to 40 psi and they are quite happy in the mud, loamy forest floors and sticky chalk/clay type surfaces.Here is my ride from last night; about 6-ish miles off road of loose gravelly towpath, and 26-ish miles of tarmac all of it with the tyres at 60 psi. Wouldn't have wanted to take my road bike on the gravelly bits, but I would not have wanted to do 26 miles of tarmac on one of my MTB's!
http://app.strava.com/rides/9110193
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