Cyclocross Commuter - Any Thoughts?

[sufcfan1]

So i still have a C2W voucher for the year to use, and due to the scheme, can only really spend it in Halfords or Tredz. I know you can order other bikes, but ill see what I can get easily before going that way.

My routes are some rough-ish roads, tow paths etc, so a road bike might be a bit too much, but i thought a cyclocross bike, with the wider tyres and disk brakes might be a better shout.

I have £800, so i was thinking of the following options, any thoughts or ideas would be gratefully received:

Boardman CX Comp

Specialized Diverge E5 2018

And I'm out of ideas, help gratefully received.

[Roastie ITR]

Are you able to use British Cycling 10% discount at Halfords to bring the Boardman CX Team down to £810? That would be my choice with SRAM Rival 1 x 11 & hydraulic brakes.

Only had a quick glance at the other bikes, the Boardman CX Comp has the better groupset of the two & is £150 cheaper.

Do they all have mounts for mudguards & pannier racks?

[Barchettaman]

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Travel-EXC-2018-Tour...

Dynamo hub, lights, mudguards, rear rack, hydraulic discs, under budget, perfect commuter if you don't absolutely need drop bars.

[rastapasta]

I ride a Trek Crocket 5. excellent machine. Highly recommended. Ive owned it since 2015 and use it to tow the chariot and also for some commuting and it hasmt put a foot wrong all this time. 105 gears and bontrager finishing kit are all excellent.

[SniktySnikty]

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-Vapour-CX-20-2017...

Use voucher code PLMQAZ, brings it down to £710. Voucher code wont work on the pretty red Cannondale though

[Fluffsri]

I use my CX bike all year around to commute. I don't have mudguard lugs etc so it had a Gut Fender and a an Arse saver, not brilliant but do the job. I have a spare pair of wheels as well. one for knobblies and one for slicks. Spring to Autumn its in knobbly mode and then over the winter I tend to stick to the road so its slicks. I love it and if you like mixing it up with drop bars you wont be disappointed.

[sufcfan1]

Thanks for the guide folks.

The bike I really wanted would be the Boardman CX Team, but even with the 10% discount, I cant quite stretch to it. I am tempted to wait and see if they do a discount in the near future, but its good to know that there are some good alternatives.

For those that ride a CX bike regularly, how to you find them if you take them out for a road run, much heavier on the road?

Thanks

[SniktySnikty]

You may be able to purchase gift cards from somewhere like zeek for a discount and then use the 10% on top of that, this might get you to the bike you want.

https://www.zeek.me/gb/buy-gift-vouchers/halfords

[sufcfan1]

SniktySnikty said:

You may be able to purchase gift cards from somewhere like zeek for a discount and then use the 10% on top of that, this might get you to the bike you want.

https://www.zeek.me/gb/buy-gift-vouchers/halfords

I did think about that, but the small print states that no additional payments can be made to the voucher value.

[Fluffsri]

sufcfan1 said:

Thanks for the guide folks.

The bike I really wanted would be the Boardman CX Team, but even with the 10% discount, I cant quite stretch to it. I am tempted to wait and see if they do a discount in the near future, but its good to know that there are some good alternatives.

For those that ride a CX bike regularly, how to you find them if you take them out for a road run, much heavier on the road?

Thanks

Mine isn't much heavier than my road bike to be fair. Obviously slower with the knobblies on the road but if I have them on I'm off down the canal path. I notice on the ups I'm slower but I can descend faster and brake later with discs. I do surprise myself every now an again and grab a PR on the road with the cross bike.

[Sa Calobra]

My commuter.

[bakerstreet]

Up your budget so you can get the CX Comp with the hydro brakes and 1 z 11 shifting. That will be great for commuting.

I wouldn't bother with treadz. Bought two things from them and both occasions were a clusterf%&k.

[Johnnybee]

sufcfan1 said:

For those that ride a CX bike regularly, how to you find them if you take them out for a road run, much heavier on the road?

Thanks

This is an interesting watch, comparing the performance on road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr7u9hgUKJs

[Fluffsri]

Johnnybee said:

sufcfan1 said:

For those that ride a CX bike regularly, how to you find them if you take them out for a road run, much heavier on the road?

Thanks

This is an interesting watch, comparing the performance on road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr7u9hgUKJs

Good little test that. Confirms my choose for extra wheels with slicks lol.

[idiotgap]

I'm massively tempted to buy a used caadx with hydraulic discs, but it would put me in marital difficulties. I'll probably do something nearer to next winter having sold something first.

2016 caadx ultegra for £550 (add suggests offers considered).
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/cannondale-caad...

Please can someone else buy it and do me a favour. Failing that, get this one.

2015 caadx rival £330 (auction with 7hrs remaining)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-Caadx-Rival-...

Sorry to OP - I realise this is no help to you as you have a cycle2work voucher.

[Roastie ITR]

idiotgap said:

2016 caadx ultegra for £550 (add suggests offers considered).
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/cannondale-caad...

Please can someone else buy it and do me a favour. Failing that, get this one.

Don't show me things like this, I've got thoughts of hopping on the train to buy it and then riding it back to Essex, but I shall resist.

[MC Bodge]

I commute (amongst other things, including road and light off road) on a well-used CX bike on 32mm road tyres.

My route includes roads and potholed, gravel & dirt farm tracks.

You don't need knobbly tyres for a commuter cross bike, just tyres of decent volume.

I've used the same tyres for a 110mile road and gravel/cobbles sportive abd they didn't hinder me on either surface.

[Fluffsri]

MC Bodge said:

I commute (amongst other things, including road and light off road) on a well-used CX bike on 32mm road tyres.

My route includes roads and potholed, gravel & dirt farm tracks.

You don't need knobbly tyres for a commuter cross bike, just tyres of decent volume.

I've used the same tyres for a 110mile road and gravel/cobbles sportive abd they didn't hinder me on either surface.

Which tyres are you using?

[idiotgap]

Roastie ITR said:

idiotgap said:

2016 caadx ultegra for £550 (add suggests offers considered).
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/cannondale-caad...

Please can someone else buy it and do me a favour. Failing that, get this one.

Don't show me things like this, I've got thoughts of hopping on the train to buy it and then riding it back to Essex, but I shall resist.

I've only posted it so that someone like you will save me from myself!

Go on! Do it! Do it now!!!! This bicycle has chosen you.

[rs4al]

Apparently Boardman are releasing a gravel bike soon, if you are restricted to Halfords etc.