Cyclocross/Commuter/Training Bike

rock_hopper

Ok, so I'm in the market for a new training/commuter bike, I'm currently using a Kenisis Crosslight. I find cross bikes great for training/commuting because they do it all, mudguards/panniers (if you wish)/ winter training/cross racing/commuting in the snow etc. There is one thing I really dislike about cross bikes though and that's cantilever brakes, they are quite simply rubbish compared to caliper brakes on my road bike and discs on my mtb! I was thinking of a Focus Mares because it has all the cross frame benefits but has mini v-brakes, then my friend (who is a bike mechanic) said mini v's aren't that good so has put me off the idea. There also seems to be a limited option with disc brakes as well, even though the UCI now allows disc brakes in it's cross races. Anyone got any thoughts/suggestions on what bike to go for? I don't want to spend too much because it's effectively a work horse bike and will take quite a lot of stick.

Thanks in advance.

jeepie

I too was looking at a cross bike - Planet X Uncle John - for a do it all bike but didn't want the awful reported braking for cantis or the weight of discs. I'm currently looking at a Ribble Winter trainer or a Racelight TK2 if the budget will stretch. I definitely think you need very good brakes for commuting in particular, so any sketchy braking will not do. A friend has a Condor Fratello which is superb but beyond my means. I think Ribble Winter trainer is the cheapest tbh....others may come up with sale items etc...

niblue

I've had a cross bike with mini-v's and they were a big improvement on the canti brakes on road bikes I've had. If getting one again though I'd go with disks - probably with a Cotic X.

I replaced the last cross bike with a Roadrat for commuting and light touring - it has flat bars which meant I was able to use hydro disk brakes on it, although drop bars and Avid BB mechanicals would also have been good.

Monty Dog

Firstly, canti brake performance is very dependant upon set-up and the quality of the brake/pad - something like Avid Ultimates or TRP 950s are very good and easier to set-up than something like a Frogleg/TRP Euro X and probably better than any caliper IMO.
A good compromise is something like a TRP720 which are reasonably-priced and easy to set-up. Cable runs / set-up is critical - worth checking online how to do if properly.
I run Avid BB7s on another bike - for absolute power and all-weather use they are great as well as easy maintenance / no rim wear - the big downside is the weight of the brakes / hubs and limited hub choice and you need a specifically designed frame. Expect to see some new frames and CX disc brakes for 2012 - I'd defer any potential bike purchase for that reason or use it to drive a hard bargain with current models.

calvjones

niblue wrote:

I've had a cross bike with mini-v's and they were a big improvement on the canti brakes on road bikes I've had. If getting one again though I'd go with disks - probably with a Cotic X.

I replaced the last cross bike with a Roadrat for commuting and light touring - it has flat bars which meant I was able to use hydro disk brakes on it, although drop bars and Avid BB mechanicals would also have been good.

I'm running a Van Nick light tourer build for cantis with Campag mini-V on the rear (road fork so road brakes at front) and its fine, although the space between block and rim is a little tighter than with calipers. I wouldn't say there's much mud clearance in the set up but for commuting, its ace.

TommyEss

rock_hopper wrote:

There is one thing I really dislike about cross bikes though and that's cantilever brakes, they are quite simply rubbish compared to caliper brakes on my road bike and discs on my mtb!

Erm - can understand them being inferior to disc brakes, but if they're worse than your road callipers I'd be checking to see the cantis were set up correctly first before changing bikes.

yakk

Hi there, I run mini - V's on my Kaffenback (Decathlon cartridge brake pads) and they brake really well are so much better than the froglegs it came with. I find they are more powerful than calliper brakes as well. The only issue I've had is with the amount of cable drop bar brakes pull (ie not a lot), so you may benefit from a 'travel agent', but I find that if I keep ontop of the adjustment it's fine.
Hope that helps.
Yak

rock_hopper

Thanks for all the replies guys. Tommy, I had my cantilevers set up by my friend, the mechanic and he's very good at his job. They are decent enough with fresh pads/cables but after a week or so and in the wet Ive had a few scary moments! I suppose most rim brakes deteriorate quite a lot in the wet. May wait for 2012 bikes and see if there are more cross bike options with disk brakes. I do see disks as the way forward in getting superior brake performance.

FransJacques

What Mini Vs are you guys running? I desparately need to know what works in the 80mm to 85mm arm length. Here's what I've found so far, let me know your thoughts:

Tektro RX5s: http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php ... p566&rs=gb

Tektro 926: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34580

Sinz (??) http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/3 ... ini_VBrake

Dia-Compe: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dia ... e-ec006124

I'm 85kgs and the CX bike is 10kgs so power is the key. I need them for the rear only. Thanks!

yakk

Hi there, I'm using Tektro 926's, if that helps.
Yak

rock_hopper

Have narrowed it down to 2 bikes, because they have disc brakes & mudguard eyelets

Cotic RoadRat or Genesis Croix De Fer.

Any opinions on the two above bikes? RoadRat looks like a MTB 29er and the Croix De Fer is apparently rather heavy?

Cheers

niblue

I've had a Roadrat for some time as a commuter/light tourer:


Mine is the "Factory Alfine" version and also has Magura Julie hydro disk brakes - bought for £1000 on the bike to work scheme. As a commuter it's excellent - pretty fast, comfortable, good handling and no toe overlap. I haven't got around to fitting mudguards yet but I can't imagine it'd be a problem to do so. For touring it could probably do with lower gearing (dropping to a 39t on the front from the current 45t would do it). On my bike I changed the stem and grips and fitted my old Brooks B17 and racks but have otherwise left it standard.

All in all I think it's a very nice bike - although bear in mind I'm a bit of a Cotic fan as I also have a couple of their mountain bikes (a BFe and a Soul)!

Buckled_Rims

2012 will be the year discs come to CX bikes! The recent rule changes were unexpected and caught most manufacturers out completely. It'll take at least until 2012 to see discs "reappear" on some big name CX bikes (Focus used to sell the Mares with discs and I think Marin did/does).

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/35232/Marin_Toscana_Cyclocross_Bike_2011

Also as mentioned the Genesis Croix De Fer, now with Alfine for a bit more fun in the mud.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-Day-01-Alfine-2011_39007.htm

FransJacques

The Cotic X is a more versatile version of the Road Rat and more roadie in set up.

The Marin's (like the CdF) are good in theory but both are poor in execution having overly-beefy frames. A 52cm CdF for a women team mate was 11kgs!! For a road bike!! The steel fork really kills ya, as do roadwheels with disc hubs. It'll last but you *might* not enjoy riding it. If you have a light racing bike then it's a great second bike.

Both marin's have really overbuilt MTB frames. Again, great if you want some good training on your daily commute but won't feel like a Pino Dogma when in the saddle.