Cycle cross bikes with disc brakes

[BGarside]

Considering buying a new commuter this year (old one is now 14 years old) and these seem like ideal all-rounders; reasonably lightweight, loads of clearance for tyres and 'guards, even studded tyres for winter, and brakes that don't wear out the wheel rims.

Does anyone have a bike like this and have any experience to share or recommendations for a suitable brand / model to buy?

Don't really want to spend much over a grand, considering it'll be for commuting and also I'll have to convert it to straight bars (don't like drops).

Cheers,

Ben

[donfisher]

BGarside said:

Don't really want to spend much over a grand, considering it'll be for commuting and also I'll have to convert it to straight bars (don't like drops).

Then I'd look at flat bar road bikes with discs - that way you'll get it with the right shifters and probably hydraulic discs instead of having to swap it all over and be left with mechanical discs.

Something like this, other brands, models and prices are available.

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-sl-road-race-2015...

[pembo]

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSFB/planet-x-xl...

There you go, lightweight, disc brakes and no messing about swapping to a flat bar.

[seadragon]

I guess loads to choose from but I am a new convert to Focus bikes, I bought a new Focus CX myself last week. They have a great reputation and the bike looks great too.

The bike in the link is in your price range and looks great value for money.

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/bikes-frames/brands/foc...

[Rolls]

I went from a canondale CX9 (with shortie ulimates which are supposed to be pretty good) to a 'dale SuperX with hydro discs - its very reassuring being able to know you'll actually stop in the wet when commuting through central london!
For a commute bike, i would not go back!

[Barchettaman]

As you're not interested in a drop bar there's no real reason to get a specific CX flat bar.

A fast hybrid with a rigid front fork will do the job nicely. The Pinnacle Lithium hybrids from Evans always look good value.

Best of luck whatever you go for. Some Ergo grips compliment a flat bar set up very nicely.

[Rob_T]

i was going to suggest a genesis vapour which i used for commuting a few years ago. having looked at the genesis website, you might want to consider one of these:

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/urban

that seems to tick the boxes from what you are looking for.

[BGarside]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will take a look later when I'm not still at work(!)

A flat-barred urban bike would be cheaper as no need to shell out for replacing handlebars, stem, shifters, brake levers etc to convert a 'cross bike.

Not bothered about hydraulic brakes - would prefer mechanicals as they're easier to fix.

Some of the straight bar road bikes don't have enough tyre clearance with mudguards fitted - I ride all year round, so in the dark on slippery, potholed country lanes so I need at least 32mm tyres for 700C wheels or 1.5" slicks for 26" wheels, plus mudguards.

[Kell]

What were you using previously to commute?

Maybe a rigid 29'er MTB would be suitable?

Edited by Kell on Tuesday 20th January 15:11

[Kermit power]

BGarside said:

Not bothered about hydraulic brakes - would prefer mechanicals as they're easier to fix.

What on earth sort of disc brakes have you been using?!?!?

I've used Shimano hydraulic discs on MTBs and Avid BB7 cable brakes on my Boardman CX.

The hydraulic brakes are the easiest thing in the world to set up and use, and need basically no attention until you've worn the pads down.

The Avids were a complete bloody nightmare! Far harder to set up in the first place, and once you'd got them more or less there, you have to keep adjusting them bit by bit as the pads wear down.

The first and only upgrade I made to the Boardman was to fit TRP Hy/Rd hydraulic calipers to the bike. They have cable pulls from the lever to the caliper, but the calipers are hydraulic. Absolute bliss to set up in comparison to the BB7s, and at least twice as powerful.

In my own experience, the only reason I'd ever buy cable discs would be complete and utter it's-this-or-feeding-my-kids-tonight abject poverty.

[Watchman]

BGarside said:

Not bothered about hydraulic brakes - would prefer mechanicals as they're easier to fix.

**So** not true.

[ecsrobin]

Watchman said:

BGarside said:

Not bothered about hydraulic brakes - would prefer mechanicals as they're easier to fix.

**So** not true.

I've had hope and avid hydraulic brakes. Not had to touch them once other than for pad changes. They really are fit and forget. You don't get that with cable discs.

[Kell]

ecsrobin said:

I've had hope and avid hydraulic brakes. Not had to touch them once other than for pad changes. They really are fit and forget. You don't get that with cable discs.

Genuine question: do they not need adjusting as the pads wear?

I've got cable discs on my bike and while they're better than rim brakes, they're still susceptible to rain and poor performance. But they're pretty much fit and forget too. A small allen key every now and again brings the static pad in and the other can be adjusted with a barrel adjuster on the lever.

[Rolls]

Nope - the fluid goes down in the res to account for pad wear..
And once you need new pads, push the pistons back to fit new ones - fluid level goes back up, and you then put the brakes a couple of times to seat the new pads correctly - job jobbed.
In 3 years commuting on my mtb with hopes, I didn't have to change the pads once, nor mess about with the brakes at all.

[bakerstreet]

If you want a cx bike, them get one. I bought the Planet X in March last year and I've really enjoyed riding it.

However, you'd have to suffer Planet X's well known poor customer service and their own finishing kit is crap IMO. I am slowly replacing all the finishing kit with chinese carbon items.

I'm perfectly happy with mechanical discs.

[Steve vRS]

bakerstreet said:

I'm perfectly happy with mechanical discs.

For stoping with they are great but they are a pain to set up.

I have TRP Spyres on my Giant TCX and when they are set up and working correctly, their stopping power is great. However, I am always fiddling with them to get them at just the right clearance so they neither rub nor need too much pull to work. I've also had a warranty replacement one as it refused to either pull fully on or release fully. If it fails again I will consider these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/trp-hy-rd-cable-actuated-h...

Steve

[Jasper3.0]

I have the trp hy/rd ones and they are fantastic. Far better than the avid bb5 before.

[tobinen]

I'd have one of these for the sole reason that I like the look of it

[bakerstreet]

Steve vRS said:

For stoping with they are great but they are a pain to set up.

I have TRP Spyres on my Giant TCX and when they are set up and working correctly, their stopping power is great. However, I am always fiddling with them to get them at just the right clearance so they neither rub nor need too much pull to work. I've also had a warranty replacement one as it refused to either pull fully on or release fully. If it fails again I will consider these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/trp-hy-rd-cable-actuated-h...

Steve

Why don't you go for the Shimano's own hydraulic system? SRAM's system is also pretty good and its been on the market for longer too. I appreciate that would involve you upgrading the entire group, but none of us need any excuses for upgrades Downside of both is they cost a lot

[Kermit power]

bakerstreet said:

Why don't you go for the Shimano's own hydraulic system? SRAM's system is also pretty good and its been on the market for longer too. I appreciate that would involve you upgrading the entire group, but none of us need any excuses for upgrades Downside of both is they cost a lot

In my case, I think you've answered your own question!

When I bought mine, I'm not sure that the Shimano ones were available (about a year ago) and anything that was available as full hydraulic was eye-wateringly expensive.

Add to that the fact that the shifters and mechs are perfectly lovely SRAM Force, and I could see no justification for the extra spend.

I've now been running the HY-RDs for a couple of thousand miles, and definitely wouldn't change them for anything else. They're excellent.