Cyclo Cross as a winter hack?

AGNI
AGNI Posts: 140
edited July 2009 in Road beginners
Currently looking out for a winter hack. Have considered a cyclo cross as there are a lot of country lanes where I like to ride so you can get quite a bit of muck off the fields running onto the tarmac.

What are peoples experiences with cyclo cross bikes? Are they a good choice for a winter hack or should I just get a used bike off ebay that will take mud guards?

Also looking to go out with a local club so how much slower would a cyclo cross be on the road compared to a decent roadie?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give on this.
Still suffering with wind

Comments

  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    A good question. In this position I would be torn between cyclo-cross, tourer or hybrid but I doubt theres many commuters who have all three types but you never know! :)
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    Hybrids? Not really for me. I have rode a friends flatbar and the position doesn't work for me. Looking to maintain the riding position of drop bar so it will aid in training over the winter periods.

    Also looking to use the winter hack for occasional commutes of 14 miles each way.

    I have a specialized rockhopper which is a decent hardtail MTB which i planned to use for some winter training off road. If I dont get a winter hack, I will persevere with just using the MTB on off road routes.
    Still suffering with wind
  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    Maybe get some slicks for the MTB?
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    I did think about slicks for the MTB but I like to do quite a few miles at a weekend and doing it on the MTB would be quite a grind. Plus doubtful I would be able to keep up with any club runs. Also I still plan to take the MTB over cannock chase for offroad riding.

    I think my choice lies between a standard roadie or the cyclo cross
    Still suffering with wind
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    I've got a cyclo cross which I use for commuting and winter rides.
    Fit wise I find it comparible to a normal road bike.
    At the end of the day the only real difference is the tyre clearance, brakes and bottom bracket height.
    I bought mine as mudguards can be fitted easily as can slightly bigger tyres like a 28.
    I wouldn't run it with cyclo cross tryes though as they drap to much and are not really needed on the roads.
    Speed wise I notice no difference between my cyclo cross and my road bike.
  • Calm_as_Hinault
    Calm_as_Hinault Posts: 1
    Before MTB's were developed most of the club riders I knew had some sort of crosser to get a few off road miles in before the onset of serious road miles from January 1st. (Change good as a rest mindset) A social season favourite ride was normally somewhere between 40/50 miles with a good half of that on green lanes etc. Crossers were ideal. High bottom bracket, lower saddle positon, macfac braze-on brakes that worked in mud. Bloody great.
    If you want to go retro, a cross bike is perfect... Light enough to be easily carried up steep muddy banks, good handling, lower gearing - to encourage winter spinning, reliable brakes and fun!
    However, if you're not planning on leaving the tarmac, albeit very muddy tarmac, a better choice would be to fit a fixed wheel to a 'winter' frame, gear up on something like 44x18 and twiddle the winter away. Develops 'suplesse' as the french say... the ability to pedal quickly and smoothly...also improves bike handling ability in general - good off-season prep!
    "I race to win, not to please people." Bernard Hinault
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Don't think there is much in it but I'd go for an audax/winter training style bike that takes deep drop caliper brakes over a cross bike.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    I have a Specialized Tricross Sport cyclocross bike. As above, bought for its versatility - has mudguard and pannier rack attachments for commuting, triple chainring because I'm old and fat and Hong Kong's full of hills. The Tricross isn't the lightest, but it was only 750 quid or so. However, it appears so far to be bombproof - I ride mainly on the roads (there are no country lanes in HK!), some of which are sh*te, and the bike has performed well. I currently have the standard 32mm tyres on but will change to 28mm when the weather gets drier in Autumn. I live at the top of 3 flights of stairs so the flattened top tube is helpful for carrying. You've got cantilever brakes for good mud clearance as well.

    In all, I'd say they are a bit slower than road bikes, but much more robust, and so great for a bit of winter action.

    Steve
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    Cheers for all your help guys.

    Decided that the Specialized Tricross would fit my needs well. Just need to wait for one to come up on eBay. Couple on there ATM but single speed.
    Still suffering with wind
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    Another daft question. There seems to be very little in the way of cyclo cross bikes out there but there does seem to be a few frames.

    Does it work out more expensive to buy a frame and then buy the bits separately?
    Still suffering with wind
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Usually yes but Ebay can be your friend.
    I have a Tricross Singlecross on fixed for winter. Fitted with guards and 25mm tyres it goes well and is very comfortable.
    My Fleet.
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    John.T wrote:
    Usually yes but Ebay can be your friend.
    I have a Tricross Singlecross on fixed for winter. Fitted with guards and 25mm tyres it goes well and is very comfortable.

    6 bikes? You have 6 bikes. :shock:

    Are they all yours?
    Still suffering with wind
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    No. Only 5. There are 2 pics of the Madone 5.2. One with Tri bars and my TT wheels fitted. They just grow over the years. The green Trek frame is 9 years old and was built from an earlier bike and up graded as time went on. Many bits are now on the Ribble winter one. The MTB started as a Marin 10 years ago but only the bars and stem are left. I could not resist the Madone when it came out but it was not worth selling the old Trek. It is worth more to me than I could get for it. The singlecross was an indulgence as I used to like riding fixed years ago and wanted to go back to it. I have not shown my borrowed (long term) track bike which I use at Manchester during the winter. As many have said,'you can not have too many bikes. Just a bu**er keeping them all clean.
    My Fleet.
  • medicbiker
    medicbiker Posts: 30
    Sorry to hijack your threat but I also am looking for a cx bike for commuting and to have a go at the sport which looks incredibly fun. Anyways I am haing problems finding anything for under a grand, the best option so far looking like the specialized tricross but I also have an issue with frame size as I am only 5''4 and every cross bike I have seen comes in size 54cm+ which is too big for me. Can any one reccomend something that is around the same price as the tricross sport or cheaper that caters for smaller sized people?
  • FlamingTberto
    FlamingTberto Posts: 41
    medicbiker wrote:
    Sorry to hijack your threat but I also am looking for a cx bike for commuting and to have a go at the sport which looks incredibly fun. Anyways I am haing problems finding anything for under a grand, the best option so far looking like the specialized tricross but I also have an issue with frame size as I am only 5''4 and every cross bike I have seen comes in size 54cm+ which is too big for me. Can any one reccomend something that is around the same price as the tricross sport or cheaper that caters for smaller sized people?

    I was originally after a Tricross Sport in 49cm as I am 5"2. They do make them, just hard to get hold off. They possibly make a size between 49 and 54cm?
    2009 Kona Zing - second ever racer and follows my 5 speed downshifters Raleigh Milk Race of 1987ish :-)
  • bice
    bice Posts: 772
    medicbiker wrote:
    Sorry to hijack your threat but I also am looking for a cx bike for commuting and to have a go at the sport which looks incredibly fun. Anyways I am haing problems finding anything for under a grand, the best option so far looking like the specialized tricross but I also have an issue with frame size as I am only 5''4 and every cross bike I have seen comes in size 54cm+ which is too big for me. Can any one reccomend something that is around the same price as the tricross sport or cheaper that caters for smaller sized people?

    What about a good quality old steel frame? More or less indestructable and simple to maintain.
  • AGNI
    AGNI Posts: 140
    medicbiker wrote:
    Sorry to hijack your threat but I also am looking for a cx bike for commuting and to have a go at the sport which looks incredibly fun. Anyways I am haing problems finding anything for under a grand, the best option so far looking like the specialized tricross but I also have an issue with frame size as I am only 5''4 and every cross bike I have seen comes in size 54cm+ which is too big for me. Can any one reccomend something that is around the same price as the tricross sport or cheaper that caters for smaller sized people?

    Bit of a problem I am having. CX bikes seem pretty pricey. My current bike is on the cycle2work scheme so I get a new bike for virtually half price. To then pay 70% of new price for a battered CX goes against the grain a bit. Problem I have is my current scheme runs until march next year.

    I know I am bitching a bit but I am thinking buying a frame and doing a self build may be the answer
    Still suffering with wind
  • alex16zx
    alex16zx Posts: 153
    John.T wrote:
    As many have said,'you can not have too many bikes. Just a bu**er keeping them all clean.

    Well, if you can afford 5 bikes, I guess you can afford a butler as well :P
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    FlamingTberto wrote:
    medicbiker wrote:
    Sorry to hijack your threat but I also am looking for a cx bike for commuting and to have a go at the sport which looks incredibly fun. Anyways I am haing problems finding anything for under a grand, the best option so far looking like the specialized tricross but I also have an issue with frame size as I am only 5''4 and every cross bike I have seen comes in size 54cm+ which is too big for me. Can any one reccomend something that is around the same price as the tricross sport or cheaper that caters for smaller sized people?

    I was originally after a Tricross Sport in 49cm as I am 5"2. They do make them, just hard to get hold off. They possibly make a size between 49 and 54cm?

    The specification sheet I got with mine says they do a 49cm, 52cm and 54cm. That was a 2009 model though, imported from the USA.
    Steve
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    alex16zx wrote:
    John.T wrote:
    As many have said,'you can not have too many bikes. Just a bu**er keeping them all clean.

    Well, if you can afford 5 bikes, I guess you can afford a butler as well :P
    The Butler had to go to pay for the bikes. I can not afford both on my pension. :wink:
    My Fleet.

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