Cyclocross bikes that you can fit mudguards and a rack to?

PeteinSQ

The company I work for has just introduced the cycle to work scheme.

I already own two bikes (and a multitude of bike parts) but I want to get a new bike on the scheme and was thinking that a cyclocross bike to which I could fit a luggage rack and mudguards would be just the job.

Does anyone know of any such bikes that I could get CycleSurgery to source for me? (So not the Planet-X Uncle John).

I commute on a cross bike at the moment but it is a complete wreck and you can't fit anything to it so I want a replacement which I could maybe do the coast coast ride with my dad (and carry all of the luggage for him) and other touring rides with my wife (and carry the luggage).

Budget is (of course) £1k.

pottssteve

Specialized Tricross Sport comes with the desired mudguard and pannier fittings. It's about 750 quid. They also do a more expensive version with higher spec. components.
I have a Tricross and can recommend them.
Steve

PeteinSQ

I'm not sure if Cycle Surgery sell Specialized or not, if they do that could be definite contender. I've heard bad things about the front fork on the tricross though. Is that a load of old rubbish though?

pottssteve

Petein,
The front fork is carbon, Specialized's own FACT model, the frame is aluminium.
The main complaint I've seen regards judder when braking at speed/downhill etc. I have experienced this but traced it to dirty wheel rims . Cleaning the rims has fixed this for me.

The bike has 'cross-style cantilever brakes which are, I gather, not the sharpest at stopping you, and I guess this would add to the juddering effect. I'm not a very experienced rider but I've found that being careful to control speed on the steeper decents means better control and no issues with the forks. I assume if it's a commuting bike you might be carrying some weight but on the other hand won't be caning it too much...
Steve

tiny_pens

I have fitted guards and a rack to both a specialized tricross and a kona jake.

I believe the tricross brake issues that some people had have been fixed by fitting min-v's and there is a chap in my office who has them and doesn't seem to have a problem. If you want the better braking of the canti's then you can get a different brake boss that fixes the problem for less than a tenner.

I sold my tricross because it was too big. I probably prefer my jake because it is a little bit lighter and it has more toe clearance.

Tiny

billy whippet

I have a jake, a jake the snake, and a major jake - they all take guards etc and highly recommend. I hated the looks of the specialized range - even bought a single speed tri cross when they were 50% off from pearsons and had to sell it when it came as it was so ugly...

Hudster

A Trek X0 also fits the bill I believe.

billy whippet

actually, i think trek xo series cant take mudguards on the front

simon t

what about the scott cx comp,they have mudguard eyelets from what i can see

PeteinSQ

I tested the Tricross out last night, it is horrendous in my opinion. Even heavier than my ancient Trek X01 with a terrible riding position. So I won't be buying that.

I'm hoping to test the Genesis Vapour when the 2010 model becomes available as you can apparently fit a rear rack to it and it looks a bit more race oriented.

Anyone got one of these?

will3

Not a 2010 one , but I do have a 2008 vapour. Nice bike I suppose, tyres were awfull for road use, but then that's not what they were designed for.
Will take racks and mudguards - even has bosses on the underside of the downtube if you like that sort of thing.

PeteinSQ

I can always change the tyres over to road ones, I already ride the old cross bike into work on Fulcrum Racing 1s with Continental GP4000s fitted and will probably do the same with whatever bike I end up with.

You don't sound overly convinced that it's a nice bike though Will, what puts you off it? Also have you ever used it for cross?