After a cyclocross bike

[chungasarnies]

Would anyone care to give me their pick of a CX/gravel type bike for a grand or less? To be used for commuting on poor surfaces, and a bit of fun on the weekend.

Don't seem to be short of options in that price bracket so my head is spinning a bit - e.g. -

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/EBPXXLSTIA/planet-x-...

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/gi...

etc.

Cheers

[gazza285]

That Planet X looks a bargain.

[chungasarnies]

Yeh I thought so. Slightly hesitant as I’ve never so much as seen a Planet X bike in the flesh let alone got a half decent look/ride on one.

[Your Dad]

Does it have to be new?

CX race season finishes soon so there should be lots of year old bikes hitting the market as people offload their bikes end of season. I picked up a 6month old Giant TCX with 105 groupset last year, paid well under £500.

[splodge s4]

Your Dad said:

Does it have to be new?

CX race season finishes soon so there should be lots of year old bikes hitting the market as people offload their bikes end of season. I picked up a 6month old Giant TCX with 105 groupset last year, paid well under £500.

Agreed, i bought this Caadx for £400 a few months ago, great X bike

[splodge s4]

Though that planet X looks good value!

[chungasarnies]

I did fancy new but would consider used if the right deal popped up

I wish the Planet X had hydraulics but I know that's wishful thinking on a carbon frame at this price!

[rastapasta]

I ride a trek crockett 7 but any CX will do. Cracking machine. I bought it two years ago to pull by daughter in the Thule Chariot which it is excellent for, but since early on have found myself riding it alot by itself on the gravel roads and some small single trails. Of my three bikes, the mtb the racer and the CX bike, the CX is by far my favorite. The Racer is too limited and mine has trick components etc and so you have to be more careful. for instance i go sometimes for group spins and where we live there are plenty of gravel paths of maybe 1km or so and you can see the lads looking at each other (me included) thinking that the stones can damage whatever. Its a complete overreaction but if you pay 7,000e for a bike and wheels etc then you are always a bit wary. You don't have this worry with a CX bike as this is what its made to do. As for the mtb, its too big and on gravel roads its wasted.

Mine has a spec of:

105 shimano (top notch)
Clark disc brakes (cable)
Bontrager finishing kit
Specialized Tracer Tyres

I highly recommend a CX bike. it will be all the bike you need. if budget stretches get a set of spare wheels with road tyres and swap them over. Otherwise the specialized Tracers work well on tarmac despite the knobbles. On a like for like basis the CX bike is 40 mins slower on the same route with the same weather and rider conditions as a tricked out full carbon (inc wheels stem handlebars sram red) racer. Just an FYI.

Hope this helps

[Shuttle Cock]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263134751307

How about a Giant Revolt as a bit of a left field choice if it's your size, it also happens to be in my LBS, so please buy it before I have to!

[chungasarnies]

Shuttle Cock said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263134751307

How about a Giant Revolt as a bit of a left field choice if it's your size, it also happens to be in my LBS, so please buy it before I have to!

Actually got a quick look at these in the local Giant shop, I had discounted it as it seemed too off-road orientated for what I was after.

Actually the left field choice was the Anyroad that I tried while I was in there, it felt very comfortable. Seemed a little pricey though - unless you can find a 2017

[Rich_W]

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/845-c...

Boardman CX Team? £1000 (but IIRC Ive seen it for 900)





They do a CX Comp for £650 (same seen for 550)

[IroningMan]

chungasarnies said:

I did fancy new but would consider used if the right deal popped up

I wish the Planet X had hydraulics but I know that's wishful thinking on a carbon frame at this price!

I have an XLS, with 105, hydraulics and some nice Shimano wheels: it rides really nicely, has excellent cable routing and for the cost I can't fault it. I even managed to engineer full-length mudguards onto it for the road.

The cable brakes will be fine.

[chungasarnies]

Thanks, it is the one I keep coming back to

[Piginapoke]

I own an PX RT80, and the quality and VFM of PX is fine.

Im not so sure about that CX bike though- wheels, brakeset and gearset not up to much. You would end up upgrading.

For that money, I would look at 105/Ultegra/Force standard for groupset (CX bikes often take a hammering), even if it means buying slightly used.

[PomBstard]

I went for a Norco Search about 18 months ago, and v pleased with capability on and off road, inc serious mtb singletrack. Spec was carbon frame, 105 kit inc full hydraulic disc brakes. It fits me well, and is comfy for 100+km on the road. Double chainrings give it the legs for decent road rides.

Only downside has been the wheelset which has needed a bit of work to keep true. But through-axles and clearance for 40c tyres helps.

No idea on UK price but might be worth checking as a left field idea.

[chungasarnies]

As another left field option: there’s a Cube fairly shop near me who has a 2017 Cross Race Pro in budget (just). Not the value proposition exactly but it’s a full 105 with hydraulics, better wheelset etc and probably built like a sthouse brick.

They only have a 61 whereas I would typically take a 58/59; is what they say accurate about Cube bikes ‘running small’ before I drive 40 miles to have a look?

[Barchettaman]

´To be used for commuting on poor surfaces, and a bit of fun on the weekend.´

I´d be looking second-hand. I got a lightly-used Boardman with Apex and Avid BB5 disc brakes for 220 quid last autumn, a very capable machine indeed.

Not mine, but similar:



Also don´t rule out rim-braked bikes. Cantis and Mini-V brakes are fine, you´ve just got to use KoolStop pink pads.

[Shuttle Cock]

chungasarnies said:

Shuttle Cock said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263134751307

How about a Giant Revolt as a bit of a left field choice if it's your size, it also happens to be in my LBS, so please buy it before I have to!

Actually got a quick look at these in the local Giant shop, I had discounted it as it seemed too off-road orientated for what I was after.

Actually the left field choice was the Anyroad that I tried while I was in there, it felt very comfortable. Seemed a little pricey though - unless you can find a 2017

I have a 2017 Anyroad, it's ugly but I love it, very comfortable and nice to ride in the winter.

[chungasarnies]

Ended up going for a look at the Cube and it’s the most impressive bike I’ve seen (in the flesh) yet I think. Ended up getting offered 15% off a 2018 model, I am rather tempted I must say.