MTB or Cyclo-Cross?

[seadragon]

I am looking for a bike to use in and about my village on weekend. To be used on bridle paths and some roads. I don’t plan to do any serious MTB riding on it but even though my comment is pretty vague what would people suggest? I am also considering using it to commute to work, about 6 miles each way and about half of it would be off-road.

I am torn between a Cyclo-Cross or maybe an MTB. I guess MTB would be more fun with I had something with front or full sus. My budget would be up to 1k max.

I am sure this is asked all the time but would base my decision on the majority view.

Thanks

[CoolC]

This reply is based on me having never owned a CX bike, but I quite fancy one.

I say get a CX

[ewenm]

It's entirely down to the sort of riding you'll do. If you think you might get the offroad bug then something with front suspension at least is probably a good idea. That said, I've been riding offroad for years on my fully-rigid bike with no lack of enjoyment.

Personal choice. Go to your bike shop, try some bikes and pick the one you like the most.

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 8th November 14:23

[woots787]

Depends on if you want drops or flat bars. I definitely wouldn't get a full suspension bike to do a lot of road riding.

[syko89]

I've never ridden a CX bike but for the short journey you do i would just get a front suspension MTB with a lockout on the forks for when your on the road.

Then atleast you have the option to take it offroad if you ever want to. My trek 6500 gets me to work and goes on the trails on a weekend. Love it!

[anonymous-user]

some form of rigid 29er like this would be my first choice, http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/fortit...

this article puts some light on why i'd go for that sort of bike

http://www.privateer.cc/2012/05/genesis-fortitude-...

and this comment in particular...

PRVTR: It’s the sort of thing that makes your local singletrack fun again, stuff that was too tame for a full-suspension trail bike.

DT: I think so yeah, I mean if you live in London like we do, you’ve got your local riding spot that might just be a piece of scrub woodland sandwiched between two motorways, you can take a 6in travel bike there and plough through everything, whereas a rigid bike is actually more fun. A root becomes an obstacle, every little lump and bump needs rider input. It almost becomes like riding a BMX.

[Fartomatic5000]

A cyclocross will certainly be easier to push and it won't look out of place if you decide to swap tyres to 25s. It only takes a few minutes to do that and will give you the option of being faster if you decide to stick to roads only.

[neenaw]

With a budget of £1k I'd be looking at something like a Cotic Roadrat or >X<

I got rid of my road bike earlier this year and got myself a singlespeed Roadrat to use for commuting. It's been a great bike for it and much more comfortable than the road bike. Last week I fitted a set of 33mm Racing Ralph cyclocross tyres and started using it off-road on bridleways and the likes. It's surprisingly fast and comfortable, a real fun bike to ride.
One of the bonuses with it is that it will run 700c or 29er wheels and will accept v-brakes, canti's or discs and has mounts for mudguards and racks if you need them for the commute and it will run singlespeed, hub geared or normal gears.

http://www.cotic.co.uk/product/bikes/roadrat/geare...

[BadgerBenji]

Cyclocross without a doubt, it's the one bike that does pretty much everything. Good choice of options at £1,000 steel or aluminium, the entry level Cannondale CaadX gets some good reviews.

[bga]

MTB. Much better for tooling about with IMO. I had a CX bike for a while and didn't really gel with it. Your mileage may vary though.

[dudleybloke]

hardtail mtb with remote lock-out forks.
best of both worlds and can switch on the move.

[Pupp]

dudleybloke said:

hardtail mtb with remote lock-out forks.
best of both worlds and can switch on the move.

I bought a Cube cross-race about a year ago and since then have used my hardtail MTB with lockout forks about twice. CX bikes are a great day-in day-out option. Way more pleasant on road than an MTB and perfectly functional on trails and bridleways etc

You will spend forever looking for the 'perfect' tyre however - knobblies will be too fat and knobbly, road tyres too smooth and thin

[seadragon]

Thanks for the views, its a tough one.

I did previously have a Genesis Croix De Fer and I did like it a lot but due to having too many bikes, 4 at the time, I sold it and regret it now. I see loads of people in my area riding around the paths and trails with their MTB's and they look like they are having a total blast.

I guess if I just wanted a bike for fun then maybe I should get an MTB but if I use it for commuting then the CX would be the more practical option.

Decisions decisions ...

[Johnny]

Indeed!

I added a Boardman CX Team to the stable earlier this year. It's a fantastic bike, everyday useable and practical. Had a nice ride out yesterday... through the fields, round the trails at the reservoir and then home by road. By far the best choice of steed for such a ride.

My MTB barely gets a look in other than for playing about in the fields behind the house and general ttting about on. Even the road bike gets slightly overlooked due to the sheer versatility of the CX.

Of course, in the interests of n+1, you'll be needing one of each

[Rob_T]

cx no question, especially if you are going to use it for commute.

my commute is 8.5 miles, on road, bridle path and stony / gravel sustrans route. cx bike perfect for all conditions no question and if you are commuting you can fit a nice saddle bag on which would look daft on an mtb!

genesis vapour is wot i got

[seadragon]

Thanks again.

If I got a CX I would get a Genesis again (personal choice, no other reason for ignoring other CX types). The new Croix De Fer looks amazing in black but if I bought my partner would want to know why I am buying the newer model of a bike I sold earlier in the year so it might not go down too well ļ. There is a CX Bianchi in my frame size on Winstanleys I might go for, good price too.

Anyway back to work and I need to stop thinking about bikes