The Same Old Question...
The Same Old Question...
Author
Discussion

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,332 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Well, maybe not, but I'm sure it's been asked many times before.

I'm working on something at the moment which will require/enable me to travel eight or so miles each way three times a week. I won't need to carry stuff, or spare clothes, so I don't need racks or anything.

The journey is mainly road (so that's drains, potholes and rubbish) and partly pavement, surfaced cycle path and underpass.

I'm considering either a road bike or a CX. Will the road bike handle the kerbs, holes, bumps and so on, or would I be better off with a cx?

I know this is the 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I'd appreciate any input.

Because of the distances, I don't want a 26" with MTB gearing. There's a weight penalty with a cx, but I wonder if the additional strength would counteract that.


BMWBen

4,906 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Doofus said:
Well, maybe not, but I'm sure it's been asked many times before.

I'm working on something at the moment which will require/enable me to travel eight or so miles each way three times a week. I won't need to carry stuff, or spare clothes, so I don't need racks or anything.

The journey is mainly road (so that's drains, potholes and rubbish) and partly pavement, surfaced cycle path and underpass.

I'm considering either a road bike or a CX. Will the road bike handle the kerbs, holes, bumps and so on, or would I be better off with a cx?

I know this is the 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I'd appreciate any input.

Because of the distances, I don't want a 26" with MTB gearing. There's a weight penalty with a cx, but I wonder if the additional strength would counteract that.
Consider a hybrid, will be more comfortable posture than a cx. Unless you want to use the bike for other stuff - 8 miles isn't long at all, any type of bike will do really. Road bike might not like the kerb jumping so much....

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,332 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
BMWBen said:
Consider a hybrid, will be more comfortable posture than a cx. Unless you want to use the bike for other stuff - 8 miles isn't long at all, any type of bike will do really. Road bike might not like the kerb jumping so much....
I have an MTB, on slicks, but I quite fancy going back to drops (after 20 years or more...). I have an idea that over that distance, they'd be faster.

It's all well and good for you to say that 8 miles isn't long at all; I'd just like to point out that some of us are overweight and unfit frown



Antony Moxey

10,692 posts

248 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Road bike all day every day. You're not going anywhere that specifically needs a CX, so why bother with extra weight and less speed. Once you try a proper roadie you won't want anything else.

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,332 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Antony Moxey said:
Road bike all day every day. You're not going anywhere that specifically needs a CX, so why bother with extra weight and less speed. Once you try a proper roadie you won't want anything else.
You see, that's kind of what I hoped someone would say, because I have a lovely road bike in mind.

But then, I've seen a beautiful cx bike that I'm also hoping someone will persuade me to buy.

biggrin


Mr Will

13,719 posts

235 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Road bikes are not as fragile as people often think, I've abused mine hideously for over 5000 miles and it hasn't skipped a beat. If a road bike is what you want, then just buy it and enjoy it. It will cope.

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,332 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Mr Will said:
If a road bike is what you want, then just buy it and enjoy it. It will cope.
But I don't know if it is!!

Ok, try this:

For the useage I've described, and given my fatness/lack of fitness, do I go for a Cube Peloton Race or a Whyte Charing Cross?

I'd have both, but for 75 miles a week, that seems overkill. I'd like to think I'll really get back into cycling, and do more and more - weekends and longer rides - but I might not.

It seems as though the Cube is the answer already. A decision with which I am entirely thumbup

Raoul Duke

938 posts

192 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
They certainly aren't, i bunny hopped a kerb today on deep section carbon wheels, although i probably wouldn't suggest you do that everyday!
Get some robust rims with a decent spoke count from someone like Derek at wheelsmith and the cx bike wont see which way you went. Also should you ever pop a spoke or knock them out of true any local bike shop should be able to get you going again.

Jimbo.

4,216 posts

218 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
I'm considering either a road bike or a CX. Will the road bike handle the kerbs, holes, bumps and so on, or would I be better off with a cx?

Road bike will be fine smile

BMWBen

4,906 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
quotequote all
Doofus said:
Mr Will said:
If a road bike is what you want, then just buy it and enjoy it. It will cope.
But I don't know if it is!!

Ok, try this:

For the useage I've described, and given my fatness/lack of fitness, do I go for a Cube Peloton Race or a Whyte Charing Cross?

I'd have both, but for 75 miles a week, that seems overkill. I'd like to think I'll really get back into cycling, and do more and more - weekends and longer rides - but I might not.

It seems as though the Cube is the answer already. A decision with which I am entirely thumbup
If the aim is to get into proper road biking, then the decision is clearly made wink

BOR

5,144 posts

284 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
There have been a few of these threads recently, but I'll drop in on this one.

Are there any reasons why the OP can't use a Cube Peloton as a commuter? I assume you can lash up some mudgards somehow ? And is the actual riding position OK for commuting?

(My MTB+Slicks commuter slag is getting a bit old-in-the-tooth, and in all honesty, so am I, so I'm vaguely considering something more road based myself).

itsnotarace

4,685 posts

238 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
What about a flat bar road bike like a Giant Rapid? They have long drop brake calipers so it's easy to fit mudguards, and the riding position is more upright

Roman

2,034 posts

248 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
It's down to wheels & tyres really - the standard set on the Cube may actually prove to be fine in practice though they do have a low spoke count.

If rough roads and kerb hopping really are on the cards though I'd at least want sufficient clearance to fit good folding 28c tyres and ideally I'd want a pair of hand built wheels built 28 spoke front 32 spoke rear on Mavic Open Pro rims.

A Moda Bolero or Cannondale Synapse may be slightly better suited but I couldn't blame someone for wanting the Cube - even though I'd personally go with the Guerciotti Cross bike mentioned on another thread!:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/YBCL125707/gue...

Dave_ITR

837 posts

226 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
I am having the same dilemma, I think a road bike may be a little too focused for my needs so only really considering CX (with the wider slick wheels if possible) & Hybrid's at the moment but this could change.

My commute will be 17 miles each way (I'm fairly fit so this distance isn't really a concern) which I plan to ride only twice a week throughout the Summer. I could do all 17 miles on the road but there are parts where the option of using path's etc may be welcome.

Is there a company offering weekly hire so I can try the different types properly before making a purchase?

I live only down the road from the Evans warehouse in Gatwick so will be taking some test rides from there on my next day off.

paranoid airbag

2,679 posts

188 months

Monday 27th February 2012
quotequote all
Road bike not strong enough you say?

ahem

thiscocks

3,398 posts

224 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
Road bike will be strong enough its the wheels you want to worry about if you are slamming them. As long as they are a decent pair of well tensioned wheels then you will be fine. I can reccomend Ambrosio evolution rims. As solid as a rock!

Doofus

Original Poster:

34,332 posts

202 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
But I'm not going to build a bike, I want to buy one off the shelf.