'Cross bike with discs? Suggestions?
'Cross bike with discs? Suggestions?
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a11y_m

Original Poster:

1,861 posts

251 months

Monday 1st February 2010
quotequote all
I'm starting to create a shortlist of cyclocross bike with disc brakes in preparation of my work FINALLY getting some sort of Bike To Work scheme in place. I've been riding a Genesis Vapour CX bike for a couple of winters and the lack of discs is really bugging me, as is the toe overlap on the bike (which is downright dangerous IMO). My commute is quite mucky and canti brakes just aren't good enough, so I'm thinking of changing to discs.

I could keep my current bike, change for the fork for one with a disc mount, and bodge a rear mount onto it (I reckon something like an A2Z adaptor would work on that dropout), but I'd still have the issue of toe-overlapping the front wheel. I've got full-length mudguards fitted too which makes it even worse. I'd prefer to sell it and buy a new disc-equipped cross bike via Bike To Work, when that happens.

I'm aware of the Genesis Crois de Fer (not sure if it still has overlap issues), but apart from that what others are available, with disc brakes, for sub-£1,000? Any suggestions?

Thanks smile

Roman

2,034 posts

248 months

Monday 1st February 2010
quotequote all
You'll be wanting a Focus Mares disc from Wiggle I reckon.

Edit to say that you may need to buy clip on mudguards and ask about toe overlap too though as it is a more of a cyclocross 'race' bike as opposed to the CdF or TriCross which are more 'do everything' cross bikes.

Edited by Roman on Monday 1st February 14:06

a11y_m

Original Poster:

1,861 posts

251 months

Monday 1st February 2010
quotequote all
Thanks. I've seen those on wiggle before but Focus don't appear to have a 2010 'cross bike with discs. Does the Focus not have spacing for proper full-length guards? (essential to me). Also, I'm not sure what shops I'll be able to use with the scheme here, but highly unlikely it'll involve wiggle frown

All other suggestions welcomed, I've hit a brick wall with ideas folks!

Roman

2,034 posts

248 months

Monday 1st February 2010
quotequote all
Guards:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/394392/...

Just Google Focus bikes for other stockists or contact Wiggle.


sjg

7,670 posts

294 months

Monday 1st February 2010
quotequote all
Less than your budget but the Kona Dew Drop ticks the boxes too. Or the Honky Inc is just over budget and more "road" but has discs.

Else if you have to hit the budget, the Croix de Fer is the best I've seen.

a11y_m

Original Poster:

1,861 posts

251 months

Tuesday 2nd February 2010
quotequote all
Roman said:
Guards:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/394392/...

Just Google Focus bikes for other stockists or contact Wiggle.
Those guards look surprisingly OK. I used SKS Raceblades on my road bike previously and they were quite useless, but these seem to be halfway between them and the coverage of my SKS Chromoplastics on my current cross bike. I had a quick scan of the bikeradar forum thread on them and saw mentions of "extensions" but need more time to research them.

Just been told this morning it could be months until we get a Bike To Work programme. Fecking useless local authorities. So I might be jumping the gun a bit starting to draw up a shortlist at the moment frown