Cyclocross bike - 3k?
Discussion
With Genesis it's often cheaper to buy the frame and build it up yourself, RRP on that frameset is £1,800 (but I'm sure you can get 5-10% off that somehow:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/fram...
That leaves £1,200 for the rest of the bits which is easily enough to build it with 105 hydraulics and better wheels, but might even scrape you into a Di2 group if you're careful on the spend on the other bits. Obviously this assumes you can build it yourself but it's not hard to do and could be good fun as a little project over a few evenings.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/fram...
That leaves £1,200 for the rest of the bits which is easily enough to build it with 105 hydraulics and better wheels, but might even scrape you into a Di2 group if you're careful on the spend on the other bits. Obviously this assumes you can build it yourself but it's not hard to do and could be good fun as a little project over a few evenings.
I went shopping for a CX bike a couple of years back to use pretty much exclusively for a 30 mile round trip commute into Central London in all weathers, albeit not with your budget.
Whatever you end up with, I'd definitely start from a requirements list of hydraulic discs (these weren't yet available when I was looking, but upgraded to TRP Hy/Rd hybrid hydraulic calipers as soon as they came out, and they've been brilliant), mudguard and caliper mounts.
I ended up with a Boardman CX Pro at £1,500, as absolutely nothing else matched the three criteria above with anything like the same level of kit for that budget, and it's absolutely ideal for the commute.
You'll see plenty of people telling you that you don't need disc brakes on the road. I suspect few of these people ride their bikes on London roads in all weathers, as discs are an absolute godsend! No messy cleaning of scummy rims on the way in and out, no having to replace worn out rims, just great all round.
It's also amazing how much drier your feet stay with full length mudguards even in fairly heavy rain, and obviously you're also not getting mucky spray up your back or on the eyes of riders behind you.
Even with those restrictions, I'm sure there must be loads of choice at your budget!
Whatever you end up with, I'd definitely start from a requirements list of hydraulic discs (these weren't yet available when I was looking, but upgraded to TRP Hy/Rd hybrid hydraulic calipers as soon as they came out, and they've been brilliant), mudguard and caliper mounts.
I ended up with a Boardman CX Pro at £1,500, as absolutely nothing else matched the three criteria above with anything like the same level of kit for that budget, and it's absolutely ideal for the commute.
You'll see plenty of people telling you that you don't need disc brakes on the road. I suspect few of these people ride their bikes on London roads in all weathers, as discs are an absolute godsend! No messy cleaning of scummy rims on the way in and out, no having to replace worn out rims, just great all round.
It's also amazing how much drier your feet stay with full length mudguards even in fairly heavy rain, and obviously you're also not getting mucky spray up your back or on the eyes of riders behind you.
Even with those restrictions, I'm sure there must be loads of choice at your budget!
What about a Planet X Pick N Flick? £3k will be enough for the frame, decent wheels and maybe Di2.
The mechanic in my LBS has a Van Nichols Ti frame and really rates it. Has used it nearly every day for the last three years. Think his runs Ultegra through out.
Like others, I'm also a little confused by the £3k budget. Its almost like 'I must spend £3k', these are my requirements.
The mechanic in my LBS has a Van Nichols Ti frame and really rates it. Has used it nearly every day for the last three years. Think his runs Ultegra through out.
Like others, I'm also a little confused by the £3k budget. Its almost like 'I must spend £3k', these are my requirements.
mikees said:
Like that! eBay fir the base bike ?
Scumtree. £145, seemed rude not to.I may yet get a few quid back from selling on the previous 2x9 Sram drivetrain, but my parts bin seems to have a one-way lid on it....
It rides really well and bar-end shifters on a shallow-drop, slightly flared CX handlebar are great.
It's a pity the Boardman wheelset has chocolate rims.
jamiebae said:
With Genesis it's often cheaper to buy the frame and build it up yourself, RRP on that frameset is £1,800 (but I'm sure you can get 5-10% off that somehow:
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/fram...
That leaves £1,200 for the rest of the bits which is easily enough to build it with 105 hydraulics and better wheels, but might even scrape you into a Di2 group if you're careful on the spend on the other bits. Obviously this assumes you can build it yourself but it's not hard to do and could be good fun as a little project over a few evenings.
Totally agree, for a company with such close links to madison, its a joke how much they charge for complete builds! I looked at the Volare 953 for ages and then they sold out of frames before I made a decision but the complete bike price was a joke.http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/fram...
That leaves £1,200 for the rest of the bits which is easily enough to build it with 105 hydraulics and better wheels, but might even scrape you into a Di2 group if you're careful on the spend on the other bits. Obviously this assumes you can build it yourself but it's not hard to do and could be good fun as a little project over a few evenings.
pablo said:
Totally agree, for a company with such close links to madison, its a joke how much they charge for complete builds! I looked at the Volare 953 for ages and then they sold out of frames before I made a decision but the complete bike price was a joke.
Equilibrium 725 frameset - £449 - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/frames/eq...Equilibrium 20, 725 frame, full 105 group but Promax brakes, basic wheels and finishing kit (albeit nice tyres) - £1.199 - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/sportive/...
That's £750 for a 105 groupset, some cheap wheels and the other bits - I reckon you could buy everything you need and have change from £500. Spend the full £750 and you'd get an Ultegra group and Fulcrum 5 wheels, and end up with a much better bike than the pre-built option.
I have a croix de fer, albeit in steel. Use if for commuting mainly, takes my lardy arse, panniers, Gilles stainless mudguards, B17. Up and down kerbs, pot holes and poor surfaces less of a concern. Runs on road based 35's, I find in more comfy that the road bike, and only about 10% slower.
Kermit power said:
You'll see plenty of people telling you that you don't need disc brakes on the road. I suspect few of these people ride their bikes on London roads in all weathers, as discs are an absolute godsend! No messy cleaning of scummy rims on the way in and out, no having to replace worn out rims, just great all round.
!
This with bell on : agree 100000%!
BigJonMcQuimm said:
After much deliberation I have heeded advise, reigned in the budget and gone for the Ktm Canic CXC
A snip over £1800.
Di2 compatible. I am sure I will fall back in love with cycling on this machine.
Roll on Wednesday !
Cracking looking bike. Nice that you have through axels. Thats fairly new tech on a road bike and its always good to own a bike with the latest tech fitted.A snip over £1800.
Di2 compatible. I am sure I will fall back in love with cycling on this machine.
Roll on Wednesday !
KTMs are fairly rare too. Don't think I have ever seen one on the road.
BigJonMcQuimm said:
After much deliberation I have heeded advise, reigned in the budget and gone for the Ktm Canic CXC
A snip over £1800.
Di2 compatible. I am sure I will fall back in love with cycling on this machine.
Roll on Wednesday !
What chainset is that? Looks like a 46/36 cross one?A snip over £1800.
Di2 compatible. I am sure I will fall back in love with cycling on this machine.
Roll on Wednesday !
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff