Recommend a Cyclo X bike - £1k max
Discussion
Further to my other thread regarding building a bike, I'm now thinking of just getting an off the shelf cyclo x bike.
Needs to good for commuting, which includes hills short & steep + long and gradual. Lots of kerbs, put holes and generally rubbish surfaces.
Prefer to get a bike with a good quality frame and brakes (hydraulic), all the other components I can change as they wear.
Max £1000.
I looked at the Boardman CX Team. Looks good (he says with very little knowledge of such bikes), a few comments in the customer reviews weren't keen on the pressed bottom bracket. Why is this negative, should I be concerned?
Needs to good for commuting, which includes hills short & steep + long and gradual. Lots of kerbs, put holes and generally rubbish surfaces.
Prefer to get a bike with a good quality frame and brakes (hydraulic), all the other components I can change as they wear.
Max £1000.
I looked at the Boardman CX Team. Looks good (he says with very little knowledge of such bikes), a few comments in the customer reviews weren't keen on the pressed bottom bracket. Why is this negative, should I be concerned?
I commute on a Croix de Fer and got it on the cycle to work scheme. I find it to be the most comfortable ride I've had since an old Carlton when I was a teenager! (I'm 52 now). I changed the crappy tyres for Schwalbe 35mm rubber and love the bike. Mine has the TRP Hy Rd brakes which are cable operated hydraulics and stop you whatever the weather. Full guards and a rack for panniers complete the look. The only issue I can find is the weight. It's not light by any means, but the comfort more than makes up for that.
My mate runs a CAADX Tiagra. The tyres were a bit puncture prone, so replaced in short order, the non-drive crank arm was a bit loose but once adjusted to VFT hasn't come loose again, and the rear wheel was built on a Friday afternoon, but otherwise, he's very happy with it.
Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
louiebaby said:
My mate runs a CAADX Tiagra. The tyres were a bit puncture prone, so replaced in short order, the non-drive crank arm was a bit loose but once adjusted to VFT hasn't come loose again, and the rear wheel was built on a Friday afternoon, but otherwise, he's very happy with it.
Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
Thanks, i'm a bit of a fair weather rider (don't mind cold / winter) but I don't do rain! Good shout though, I don't currently use panniers, so it won't change anything if I can't have them, but they might be useful hmmmmm....Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
Trouble here is that everyone just recommends their own bike.
I bought a CAADX Sora 2nd hand on eBay. Great, strong, comfy frame. Terrible gear set, brakes, wheels.
Changed gear set to 105 (so much better) wheels to Mavics, brakes to Shimano hydraulic discs.
Now a go anywhere, in any weather, CX bike for about £1,100 all in. I would not be without it.
Worth a thought, eBay
I bought a CAADX Sora 2nd hand on eBay. Great, strong, comfy frame. Terrible gear set, brakes, wheels.
Changed gear set to 105 (so much better) wheels to Mavics, brakes to Shimano hydraulic discs.
Now a go anywhere, in any weather, CX bike for about £1,100 all in. I would not be without it.
Worth a thought, eBay
louiebaby said:
My mate runs a CAADX Tiagra. The tyres were a bit puncture prone, so replaced in short order, the non-drive crank arm was a bit loose but once adjusted to VFT hasn't come loose again, and the rear wheel was built on a Friday afternoon, but otherwise, he's very happy with it.
Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
I got a CaadX 105 last summer...... similar experience ! Stock tyres made of cheese and back wheel built on a Friday afternoon at 5pm........ All sorted early doors and has been a great bike to ride ever since, proper comfy and zings along as well as you'd expect for a cross bike........... recommended !!Worth checking that whatever you choose has eyes for a pannier and mudguards, if that's the direction you're going.
I've ridden the CAADX 2017 and after testing, bought a Croix de Fer. The CAAD was really nice to ride, but was just that, a Cyclocross bike. CX gearing and a racy position. It was comfortable though and would easily cope with a commute. The CdF though, was instantly comfortable, if a bit heavy. The weight is a trade off for the comfort and versatility. If its not a commute with big hills, then i'd look at the Croix, its a brilliant bike and Winstanleys were still punting the 2016 105 model for £1000 only a few weeks ago.
The Rookie said:
The Arkose is also worth a look
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-2-2017...
Well that's a turn up for the books, I didn't know they did Tiagra-level hydraulic discs? They must be new for 2017?https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-2-2017...
Dr Murdoch said:
Further to my other thread regarding building a bike, I'm now thinking of just getting an off the shelf cyclo x bike.
Needs to good for commuting, which includes hills short & steep + long and gradual. Lots of kerbs, put holes and generally rubbish surfaces.
Prefer to get a bike with a good quality frame and brakes (hydraulic), all the other components I can change as they wear.
Max £1000.
I looked at the Boardman CX Team. Looks good (he says with very little knowledge of such bikes), a few comments in the customer reviews weren't keen on the pressed bottom bracket. Why is this negative, should I be concerned?
A mate bought a new Boardman CX about a year ago, had ongoing problems with the BB. Halfords had it in the store 3 times to try and fix it, none worked, eventually they gave him a newer model.Needs to good for commuting, which includes hills short & steep + long and gradual. Lots of kerbs, put holes and generally rubbish surfaces.
Prefer to get a bike with a good quality frame and brakes (hydraulic), all the other components I can change as they wear.
Max £1000.
I looked at the Boardman CX Team. Looks good (he says with very little knowledge of such bikes), a few comments in the customer reviews weren't keen on the pressed bottom bracket. Why is this negative, should I be concerned?
Dr Murdoch said:
NorthDave said:
Genesis Croix de Fer for my money.
Thanks Dave, may I ask why?If you can find a discounted 2016 model in your size then you'll get better components like this one: https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-croix-de-fer-2...
Otherwise, it's this with Sora bits (new version, so it looks much better) and TRP Spyre brakes (cable operated but the best you can get) which is still a good bike: https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-croix-de-fer-1...
As someone else said though, this Pinnacle gets you hydro discs and Tiagra bits for £1k but I expect it won't ride as nicely. https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-2-2017...
Evans will let you test ride bikes, so maybe it's worth arranging to get a couple for a back-to-back ride before making a decision?
Right, after much deliberating, umming and arring etcs
I think I'll plump for a Genisis, based mainly on the comfort factor (as this lack of comfort on my current steed has pushed me towards getting a new bike, so don't want to be uncomfortable again..)
Now, What would be best:-
2016 Fer 30 £1099 (35% off)
2017 Fe 20 £1199
I'm thinking 2016 makes most sense, 105 groupset. Is the frame the same?
I think I'll plump for a Genisis, based mainly on the comfort factor (as this lack of comfort on my current steed has pushed me towards getting a new bike, so don't want to be uncomfortable again..)
Now, What would be best:-
2016 Fer 30 £1099 (35% off)
2017 Fe 20 £1199
I'm thinking 2016 makes most sense, 105 groupset. Is the frame the same?
Dr Murdoch said:
Right, after much deliberating, umming and arring etcs
I think I'll plump for a Genisis, based mainly on the comfort factor (as this lack of comfort on my current steed has pushed me towards getting a new bike, so don't want to be uncomfortable again..)
Now, What would be best:-
2016 Fer 30 £1099 (35% off)
2017 Fe 20 £1199
I'm thinking 2016 makes most sense, 105 groupset. Is the frame the same?
2016 version, no question. It has hydraulic discs and the older (nicer) levers/shifters too it appears, the 2017 CdF20 has cable operated hydro discs which are nowhere near as good to use. I think I'll plump for a Genisis, based mainly on the comfort factor (as this lack of comfort on my current steed has pushed me towards getting a new bike, so don't want to be uncomfortable again..)
Now, What would be best:-
2016 Fer 30 £1099 (35% off)
2017 Fe 20 £1199
I'm thinking 2016 makes most sense, 105 groupset. Is the frame the same?
I love Genesis, commute and potter about on a 2013 Vapour which I find really comfortable and versatile for any distance and just got a 2016 Zero for big and faster rides.
It looks like the frame changed quite a bit on the Fer this year, spec wise the older one would be the better option but I prefer the chunkier look of the 2017.
It looks like the 2017 has mechanical hydro brakes (I have no idea about discs though as I do everything I can to avoid them) and Tiagra, which I prefer on a commuter because the replacement parts are cheaper so I don't mind leaving it out in the rain.
It looks like the frame changed quite a bit on the Fer this year, spec wise the older one would be the better option but I prefer the chunkier look of the 2017.
It looks like the 2017 has mechanical hydro brakes (I have no idea about discs though as I do everything I can to avoid them) and Tiagra, which I prefer on a commuter because the replacement parts are cheaper so I don't mind leaving it out in the rain.
The Croix wheels are 2.1kg, great for bashing up and down kerb or for heavier riders or for people wanting to carry weight. I'd say they were quite a tough wheelset. I swapped mine out for a set of Cero ARD23s and whilst still considered to be a gravel wheel, theyre only 1500g a set.
I'm hoping to get the carbon fork for mine too.
After that I've thought about upgrading to the CDF Ti frame so there'll be little left of the original bike!
I'm hoping to get the carbon fork for mine too.
After that I've thought about upgrading to the CDF Ti frame so there'll be little left of the original bike!
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