Which CX/Cyclocross bike for under £900? Boardman? Dolan?

dru

Looking to get a cyclocross bike to use as a winter training bike and for trying my hand at CX racing later in the year.

I have a budget of around £900

For that I'm wondering what sort of bike I should be going for.

For that money I can get the 10 speed Boardman CX bike - but am wondering if with disc brakes it will be right for me?

The reason I say that, iwould not be easily able to swap wheels around to make it on or off roadable etc

Should I be looking at a Dolan CX bike?
There are bilds for £800-£900 which include 10 speed SRAM Apex with a choice of wheels?

What do people think of this as a bike?


Also If people know of any other similar speced bikes for the price then please let me know.

I'd be worried about buying a secondhand cx bike so looking at new only at this stage.

Cheers and thanks,

Dru

avoidingmyphd

decathlon do one for £879 with shimano 105 groupset.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/cyclo-cro ... -88610135/

the one I saw in the shop (Stockport) had Aksium Race wheels not the ones listed (same price though).

petemadoc

Ridley crossbow looks nice

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... rtno=40036

There's the Focus with 105

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-mares-ax-20-105-2011/

And best of all is this :shock: :shock:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=51081

But you it might not be your size.

chris281192

+1 for decathlon or ridley crossbow

petemadoc

Just noticed that Colnago has alloy forks, what a let down

It is a Colnago tho, does that make up for it?

dru

thanks people,

unfortunately the colnago is the wrong size!

Going back to the Dolan thou, if I said I could get 20% off would that change peoples opinions?

petemadoc

Have you got a link or spec?

Monty Dog

If you're planning on using the bike as an all-rounder and a bit more serious off-road or some laden touring, then disc brakes may be worth the weight penalty. If it's mainly on-road with a dabble in cross, then rim brakes are fine. FWIW I have cross bikes with both - my race bike has carbon-cantis to cope with the 17lb weight!

dru

PeteMadoc wrote:

Have you got a link or spec?

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/cyclo-cross/ ... duct_id=74

dru

Monty Dog wrote:

If you're planning on using the bike as an all-rounder and a bit more serious off-road or some laden touring, then disc brakes may be worth the weight penalty. If it's mainly on-road with a dabble in cross, then rim brakes are fine. FWIW I have cross bikes with both - my race bike has carbon-cantis to cope with the 17lb weight!

It will be to ride on wet and winter days when the summer bike is nice inside. But I will intend to help my cycling by trying out CX racing over its season in an aim to have more cycling months over the year... would that make a difference?

hammerite

Lots of options for a CX bike at around £900. If you plan to race then look at getting a bike with a 46/36 or 44/34, a lot of cx bikes for sale now are really aimed at commuting and have a 50/34 (although it isn't difficult/costly to change the 50 ring) or a triple. Also be aware that with a lot of race ready cross bikes you can't fit a bottle cage.

I have a Kinesis Crosslight, which I really like - about £900 new, I got it in good condition for £400 off eBay.

I don't see a problem with having disk brakes on the road, you could just change tyres rather than wheels if you want to move away from knobblies.

APIII

I've got the Kinesis too, a good all rounder I reckon. Note that the fit of a cross bike can vary greatly between brands, moreso than road bikes, so getting a test ride would be advisable - easier to do with the Boardman than the others probably.

petemadoc

Dru wrote:

PeteMadoc wrote:

Have you got a link or spec?

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/cyclo-cross/ ... duct_id=74

The chainset isn't cross specific so you might want something else if you fancy racing it. You might want to take those mudguards off too. What's with the tyres? It seems to be aimed at commuters rather than cross. Nice wheels for a bike that price tho!

If you've got a LBS who will give you some good advice and fit etc then 20% off makes it a good deal. If you're buying online personally I'd look at something else that's more cross specific but has eyelets for mudguards and bottle cages.

Monty Dog

Certainly changing to a 46 big chainring can help in cross, but sometimes if it's really muddy you'll be lucky to get off 34x25! Having the option of discs is good if using the bike for more than cross. It really comes down to whether you're happy with extra weight - if I had only 1 bike I'd go for disks. BTW there are few frames these days that come without bottle cage mounts.

Wappygixer

avoidingmyphd wrote:

decathlon do one for £879 with shimano 105 groupset.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/cyclo-cro ... -88610135/

the one I saw in the shop (Stockport) had Aksium Race wheels not the ones listed (same price though).

The website is wrong (I'll try to get it changed)
The new models now come with Aksiums, the Penta wheels were ok but I always had bearing issues and I think it was down to the seals?

term1te

I've had my eye on a Genesis Croix De Fer as an all rounder and to dabble in CX. Maybe just out of the price range and perhaps a little heavy, but I've only heard good things about them.

tony620

I got a focus mares pro in size medium you can have for 750 they are 1000 new mine has been used 2 times only no wear in a single place. Not a spec of dirt on it. Never been washed or wet. pm me if you want any more details.

Redhog14

I have a Kinesis CrossLight 5T would reccommend it and it should come in at your price range. The 2011 model has had some key upgrade esp to the wheelset.

They are v popular at CX events and I also use mine for communting and general transport, frame comes with all the extra bits for racks and mudguards if you want to fit them.

bought mine here www.flyingfoxbikes.com - I happen to know he has frames in stock and will deliver throughout the UK ask for Pete.

user321

I'm selling my size medium Focus Mares If you want!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboywond ... 877727732/

Done about 12 races in all since those photos were taken so still in pretty awesome condition. PM me if you want more details and new photos etc. It's a really lovely bike. Will be sad when it sells... but it has to fund the Giant TCX 0 I purchased :P