Cyclocross bikes - recommendations

Harry B

Any suggestions for a reasonable cyclocross bike up to £1,000??

APIII

Kinesis 5T.
Believe Boardman are doing one now for around that price that is well specced.

passout

Vodoo one looks great as does the Ridley Crossbow. The Kona Jake or Major Jake would be my choice though.

Harry B

I've just fallen in love with the Ridley Crossbow
:shock:
http://www.ridley-bikes.com/pd/gb/en-gb ... s/Crossbow

pintoo

Can't argue against the Ridley or the Voodoo. I would have gone for the Voodoo if Evans stocked them. I had to go through Evans for my Work scheme. I went for the Pinnacle ExPede. Not quite as cachet a brand as the others, but it does offer good value. Carbon forks and rear stays, Shimano 105 derailleurs. I'm very happy with the ride - light and quick.

I tried the Spesh Tricross after many recommendations and was surprised to really dislike it - it felt ploddingly slow to me.

APIII

pintoo wrote:

I tried the Spesh Tricross after many recommendations and was surprised to really dislike it - it felt ploddingly slow to me.

Porbably because it weighs about the same as a small hatchback.

jgsi

APIII wrote:

pintoo wrote:

I tried the Spesh Tricross after many recommendations and was surprised to really dislike it - it felt ploddingly slow to me.

Porbably because it weighs about the same as a small hatchback.

then they go and build an S Works one which costs more than 2 hatchbacks
there is the Kuota Kross of course

passout

I've got a tricross and is OK as a commuter or winter trainer but I wouldn't actually use it as a cross bike. Very relaxed angles and a bit heavy - very comfortable and well made though. Toe overlap takes a bit of getting used to but lots of cross bikes have this.

The Ridley does look good.

Monty Dog

I've got a Kuota Kross - it's probably the stiffest bike I've ridden - even with 32mm tyres it's rock-solid. Means it climbs like a scalded cat and you can test your tyre grip to the limit - after 9 hours riding of the South Downs Way last summer however, my legs and backside were grateful to see the finish.

LittleLance

I've got a Scott CX team (2007) with Full Ultegra that I picked up on ebay. It's great - really light and very responsive - just totally unsuitable for what I need. I really wanted a fast commuter that could handle the rough stuff and the problem is this doesnt take guards or a rack. Therefore pretty soon its gonna end up on the classifieds here.

I did have a Focus Mares comp for a week. That was a great bike too but I sent it back as the gears had problems, the mini v's needed relacing to run guards and (most of all) I heard a whisper my firm will soon be doing ride 2 works scheme so I may well buy it again then (if I'm still employed).

guilliano

Genesis Croix De Fer??? Tasty little number for a grand

www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/croi ... /overview/

wiffachip

bianchi d2 axis, as long as you're not in a hurry

GiantMike

guilliano wrote:

Genesis Croix De Fer??? Tasty little number for a grand

www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/croi ... /overview/

Why oh why don't manufacturers state the weight of their bikes?

Shocking lack of detail.......

blorg

I have the fixed Tricross; like others say it is astonishingly heavy. Wouldn't want to be shouldering that. Makes a good commuter though.

I have a Kinesis EVO3 cross bike and it is very light and nimble by comparison. It's built up with all the components from a friend's Focus Mares incidentally, that looked like a very nice bike too.

hells

I have a Kona Jake the snake it has shimano 105, rack mounts and handles nicely. The only thing I dont like are the brakes they are shockingly bad. Ideally id like a cross bike with disc brakes, I am female and 5''4 so I have really struggled to find a cross bike that is small enough for me. Roastie on the commuter forum has created a Ti cross bike with hydrualic discs rac k mounts and I think it has alfine as well. I am not sure if he has started selling them yet or the price. I am hoping to get one when he does if I cna get enough cash. My Kona has got marathon pluses atm because iv had a bad run in with the puncture fairy. The stock tyres were good when it was snowing and icy and I put them back on if I fancy abit of light off road.

blorg

@hells- the Van Nicholas Amazon is a titanium frame that comes with disc mounts and plenty of clearance. I have one myself (not with discs though I would like them.)

ex-pat scot

Have the tricross - the frame & forks are not heavy, but some of the finishing kit is.

I've taken it entirely apart to upgrade / weigh (OCD weight fetish), and the following items are anchors:

- seatpost 320g. Swap for a 200g carbon one
- saddle 350g - swap
-cross top levers another 150g
- chainset & BB super heavy. Swapped for carbon compact double
- keep the wheelset for training / commuting, and get a second (PX model B or C?) with lightweight CX tyres).

That alone will trim a lot off the bike. The chassis makes a decent road bike - around 1600g for frame and 800g for forks is pretty much on the money for an alu CX F&F.