Complete and utter newbie - road or cyclocross?

[MadDad]

TwistingMyMelon said:

TheInternet said:

donfisher said:

IMHO the CX bracket is a bit of a grey area as it now means that some bikes are marketed as CX bikes when they’re probably not suitable for CX racing which is where this all came from.

It's very much the current fad.

I agree with both of the above

It's been around in France and Belgium since the early 1900's so I don't think it is just a fad, imho it has become more visible (and accessible) since the rise of cycling popularity in the UK - and the manufacturers and their band of merry marketing men have done a very good job of making it a trendy sport!

The OP does not sound like he is planning on giving racing a go so most 'mainstream' CX bikes would be more than adequate for a mix of road and towpath, as well as the odd trip to a trail centre like Swinley Forest.

The geometry of a CX bike is more relaxed than an out and out road bike, so for an occasional cyclist a CX bike's positioning may be more comfortable.

I have a CAADx and love it, on the days when I don't want to pound the tarmac for hours but equally can't be arsed to drive the MTB to somewhere to ride the CX bike is ideal! I can ride on the road to the network of local bridleways, jump on them and more or less get myself into the heart of the Chilterns without having to ride on the road for more than a few miles. I have ridden the Ridgeway from end to end on my CX bike so it is more than capable of handling the lumpy stuff if need be.

Unless you are an out and out roadie (as most people on here are) I would always suggest a hybrid or CX bike if you are planning on being an occasional leisure cyclist. However, if the long term plan is to start doing 50 miles+ per week with a view to taking part in cycling events etc then I would go down the route of a road bike.

[Mr Will]

MadDad said:

TwistingMyMelon said:

TheInternet said:

donfisher said:

IMHO the CX bracket is a bit of a grey area as it now means that some bikes are marketed as CX bikes when they’re probably not suitable for CX racing which is where this all came from.

It's very much the current fad.

I agree with both of the above

It's been around in France and Belgium since the early 1900's so I don't think it is just a fad, imho it has become more visible (and accessible) since the rise of cycling popularity in the UK - and the manufacturers and their band of merry marketing men have done a very good job of making it a trendy sport!

The OP does not sound like he is planning on giving racing a go so most 'mainstream' CX bikes would be more than adequate for a mix of road and towpath, as well as the odd trip to a trail centre like Swinley Forest.

The geometry of a CX bike is more relaxed than an out and out road bike, so for an occasional cyclist a CX bike's positioning may be more comfortable.

I have a CAADx and love it, on the days when I don't want to pound the tarmac for hours but equally can't be arsed to drive the MTB to somewhere to ride the CX bike is ideal! I can ride on the road to the network of local bridleways, jump on them and more or less get myself into the heart of the Chilterns without having to ride on the road for more than a few miles. I have ridden the Ridgeway from end to end on my CX bike so it is more than capable of handling the lumpy stuff if need be.

Unless you are an out and out roadie (as most people on here are) I would always suggest a hybrid or CX bike if you are planning on being an occasional leisure cyclist. However, if the long term plan is to start doing 50 miles+ per week with a view to taking part in cycling events etc then I would go down the route of a road bike.

A lot of "Cyclocross" bikes aren't designed for Cyclocross though - the Genesis Croix de Fer for example. In my eyes what they are is the resurgence of the old fashioned do-it-all road bike (rather than the race bikes that we have today) but that would be a much harder thing to market. Far easier to slap the trendy CX label on them and sell them that way instead.

None of this makes them any less suited to the typical users purpose; just an interesting observation on how the market works.

[Steve Evil]

I would add that disc brakes are so much better that I won't be buying another bike unless it has them fitted, thankfully they're cropping up on lots of road bikes now too and shouldn't be long before the UCI allows them.

Just thought it odd that you said you weren't fussed that's all.

[ShortShift811]

Mr Will said:

In my eyes what they are is the resurgence of the old fashioned do-it-all road bike.

Basically this - I'm after a 'do it all' bike that can cope with roads, tow / canal paths and the odd jaunt through a woodland trail too. Plus we can only really store two bikes at the moment, so the idea of an MTB, Road and CX bike is definitely out.

Steve Evil said:

I would add that disc brakes are so much better that I won't be buying another bike unless it has them fitted, thankfully they're cropping up on lots of road bikes now too and shouldn't be long before the UCI allows them.

Just thought it odd that you said you weren't fussed that's all.

The reason I'm not too fussed at the moment is that this will be my first bike in years, so I doubt I'll notice a measurable difference with the type of riding I'll do. The canti's on my OH's (2011) Spec Tricross feel fine to me. Also, a couple of the regular cyclists at work said that, at this price point, the mechanical disc brakes aren't all they are cracked up to be, and the real benefit is in hydraulics. No idea if that's true, and always happy to be corrected.

I'll see what I think to the Cannondale tomorrow and if the 105 gearing really is that much smoother than the Sora stuff I've ridden. Keen to buy something ASAP though as I want to get some good mileage in over the next month before we take the bikes for a week's break in Pembrokeshire.

[MadDad]

ShortShift811 said:

A couple of the regular cyclists at work said that, at this price point, the mechanical disc brakes aren't all they are cracked up to be, and the real benefit is in hydraulics. No idea if that's true, and always happy to be corrected.

I'll see what I think to the Cannondale tomorrow and if the 105 gearing really is that much smoother than the Sora stuff I've ridden. Keen to buy something ASAP though as I want to get some good mileage in over the next month before we take the bikes for a week's break in Pembrokeshire.

I would tend to agree with the first point, I replaced mechanical discs with hydraulic on an old MTB and the difference was night and day. I have canti brakes on my CX and they are fine, never had any issues with them even in the dirtiest of conditions.

So, I think you have settled on a CX, question is now - what one???

[ShortShift811]

MadDad said:

I would tend to agree with the first point, I replaced mechanical discs with hydraulic on an old MTB and the difference was night and day. I have canti brakes on my CX and they are fine, never had any issues with them even in the dirtiest of conditions.

So, I think you have settled on a CX, question is now - what one???

Edinburgh Bike Coop are bringing a 2013 Cannondale CAADX 105 2013 in to their Leeds store for me to test ride tomorrow. Just a store bike they haven't sold that's been used for the odd demo apparently. Originally £1,100 and now £800, they've said they'll do it for £720 if I want it.

There may be a new post in the 'Show Us Your Bike' thread tomorrow afternoon...

[TheLemming]

hora said:

My first road bike in 25yrs has rim brakes. My next one WILL have disc brakes.

I run 180/203 discs on my mountain bike....the first time I went to brake on my road bike in the wet I thought WHAT THE fk.

The more you trust your brakes in our climate, the more you can relax/go faster IMO.

Try swapping your brake pads for some swisstop greens (there are other equally good options others will recommend) they are shocking compared to any of the factory fit options on ultegra or force downwards.
Really one of those no brainer upgrades, they aren't expensive.

With those on SRAM red callipers they are as close as it gets to discs in the dry and are a big improvement on other rim brakes in the wet.

Next year road hydraulic discs will be a viable upgrade, right now they are either stupidly expensive or just unobtainable....

[Barchettaman]

Lemming, have you seen the Gevenalle hydraulic road disc kit? Looks pretty interesting!

[MadDad]

ShortShift811 said:

MadDad said:

I would tend to agree with the first point, I replaced mechanical discs with hydraulic on an old MTB and the difference was night and day. I have canti brakes on my CX and they are fine, never had any issues with them even in the dirtiest of conditions.

So, I think you have settled on a CX, question is now - what one???

Edinburgh Bike Coop are bringing a 2013 Cannondale CAADX 105 2013 in to their Leeds store for me to test ride tomorrow. Just a store bike they haven't sold that's been used for the odd demo apparently. Originally £1,100 and now £800, they've said they'll do it for £720 if I want it.

There may be a new post in the 'Show Us Your Bike' thread tomorrow afternoon...

Soooooooooo, how did you get on?

[ShortShift811]

Took it for a test ride and I was hooked.

I know I don't have any kind of real benchmark or comparison, but the gearing is much smoother than the OH's Sora based bike, and the geometry just felt right as soon as they'd set the bike up for me.

Result; I've parted with my cash and the CAADX is now secured in my shed.

I'd pre-ordered a few bits from Wiggle; bottles and cages, loaded saddle bag and puncture patches (kudos to 'Some Gump' on another thread). They arrived this afternoon, will go on tomorrow morning then we're off for a ride down the canal for a few hours so I can really find out how it handles.

Pic to follow when I'm on the PC. Thanks again everyone who gave me their opinion. Now I can get bitten by the bug and wait for the real expense to begin...

[Steve vRS]

I have mechanical disc brakes on my Giant TCX and once set up correctly, they are fantastic. Admittedly, I've never used hydraulics but they are much better than rim brakes, especially in the wet.

I've just put 28mm Conti 4 Seasons on this bike and will probably put 2000miles on it through the winter.

A new set of wheels is imminent too for muddy tyres.

Steve

[TedMaul]

MadDad said:

ShortShift811 said:

A couple of the regular cyclists at work said that, at this price point, the mechanical disc brakes aren't all they are cracked up to be, and the real benefit is in hydraulics. No idea if that's true, and always happy to be corrected.

I'll see what I think to the Cannondale tomorrow and if the 105 gearing really is that much smoother than the Sora stuff I've ridden. Keen to buy something ASAP though as I want to get some good mileage in over the next month before we take the bikes for a week's break in Pembrokeshire.

I would tend to agree with the first point, I replaced mechanical discs with hydraulic on an old MTB and the difference was night and day. I have canti brakes on my CX and they are fine, never had any issues with them even in the dirtiest of conditions.

So, I think you have settled on a CX, question is now - what one???

Interesting point, next bike is going to be a cyclocross, hoping to play with a few at the NEC in a couple of weeks, maybe even buy one there if any show discounts...... However, I assumed full on hydraulics would be too grabby in the wet on a cyclocross? I have SLXs on the Norco and the stopping power is immense, I imagine if you tried to use them on wet tarmac, on semi/slick tyres it wouldn't end well.

I admit I've not tried any combo, but gut feel would say something between cantis and full on hydraulics would actually be ideal for cyclocross (if used as a commuter/fun bike rather than actually racing it)

[TheInternet]

TedMaul said:

I admit I've not tried any combo, but gut feel would say something between cantis and full on hydraulics would actually be ideal for cyclocross (if used as a commuter/fun bike rather than actually racing it)

Not quite what you're after: