What Cross Bike For a Grand?

the_red_lantern

My company has started the bike to work scheme and I am therefore in the market for a cross bike with a view to start racing over the winter. I have a shortlist of the Planet X Uncle John, Kinesis 5T, Ridley Crossbow and a Scott CX comp. Has anybody any views/advice on any of the bikes mentioned or any have overlooked? There is a limit of a £1000 voucher through the scheme.

Any advice appreciated

cheehee

Have you seen this?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 155c018341

Cranks

Merida CC3

http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_GB/Bikes.Detail.180

lfcquin

I have the Crosslight 4T which I bought last year. Can't fault it. Used it on road mostly, but have introduced it to cross races in the past two weeks and it has performed admirably. Good mutlifunctional bike, although the bars and stem seem a little cheap and nasty.

I was admiring the new Boardman CX bike last night. Just gone on sale at £999. Looks like a decent spec for the price - might be worth googling and taking a look before you make your decision.

APIII

I've got the Kinesis 5T. I built it up myself mostly from parts I already had, so it didn't cost me an awful lot. I have to say it's a very nice looking bike, excellent paint job and neat welds for a £225 frame. I'm new to racing, so I've only done a couple so far, but I've found them very enjoyable. The 5T is aluminium of course, so it's a bit harsher than my carbon road bike, but it only gets ridden for short blasts, so it's no major issue. Part of the reason I chose the Kinesis, was it's versaility as it comes with both rackmounts and mudguard eyelets.

Mark Alexander

The Red Lantern wrote:

My company has started the bike to work scheme and I am therefore in the market for a cross bike with a view to start racing over the winter. I have a shortlist of the Planet X Uncle John, Kinesis 5T, Ridley Crossbow and a Scott CX comp. Has anybody any views/advice on any of the bikes mentioned or any have overlooked? There is a limit of a £1000 voucher through the scheme.

Any advice appreciated

The uncle John? I have been riding a il Pompino SS for cross this year which, is similar other than the vertical dropouts and of course... many gears. the feel of the steel frame is fantastic on the rough stuff it's my favorite of my 4 bikes and out of carbon alu and steel.

redddraggon

I'd go for the Boardman CX. BB30 + Rival beats everything else at that pricepoint.

the_red_lantern

I would go for the Boardman, however Halfords run their own cycle to work scheme that my company is not affiliated to. I am slowly being swayed towards the Ridley as I have heard nothing put positive reports of their cross bikes. Thanks for the advice.

APIII

redddraggon wrote:

I'd go for the Boardman CX. BB30 + Rival beats everything else at that pricepoint.

you're probably right, that's a very good spec for the money.

ride_whenever

Mark Alexander wrote:

I have been riding a il Pompino SS for cross this year

It's kinda fun isn't it. I'd heartily recommend for cx fun, but for racing you want superlight and gears!

leeroy72

The Ridley Crossbow is a great bike! I love mine so much my Cube road bike is getting neglected!! Absolutely bomb proof too. Watch out for the sizing though as they seem to have strange measurements...I have a 54" road bike but ended up with a 48" Crossbow and it fits like a dream.

the_red_lantern

I have negotiated a deal with my LBS who stock the Scott CX Comp and the 5T build to upgrade to 105. Therefore my decision is down to one of the above. I am currently leaning towards the Scott but the decision will be made at the weekend when I ride the two.
Thanks again for all the advice.

the_red_lantern

I chose the Scott over the Kinesis on a number of factors but mainly the ride was more responsive. I negotiated an upgrade to ultegra SL on many of the components so am just awaiting the call to say the bike is ready, cant wait to test it properly!!