Ragley, anyone?

Roundandround

Does anyone have experience of or opinions on the Ragley Rodwell frame? And, more generally, what are your thoughts on buying it and getting the bike built up around it, versus buying a CX with all the manufacturers' components off the shelf, as it were?

If the advice is that the custom build is likely to be better, then where on earth do you start to spec it up?

Or... Are there far too many variables involved to make answers possible??

MountainMonster

Budget is the most important part you decided not to include. Second is what you want to do with the bike, just CX or more road riding?

Roundandround

Oh, yeah, budget. Forgot about that. Actually, I've got into the routine of not mentioning the cost of bikes to family and friends, as they'd be horrified, so it's a habit. Between ourselves, I reckon that 800-900 would be my absolute limit.

I suppose I'm looking for a drop bar bike (I feel it's time to experience one) that'll do most things comfortably, but don't want a full-on road bike. The cyclocross genre seems an attractive proposition.

I've got forum members' advice on Specialised Tricross versus Ridley Crossbow, and there's been some helpful advice on the drops/ braking issue. But now, the Ragley has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons. Both machines, and a built-up Ragley, are coming in between 700 and 900.

hammerite

So I take it you're not planning to race CX?

Hope this doesn't put the cat amongst the pigeons any more.... have you looked at the Cotic X? Steel CX frame with the ability to take cantilever or disk brakes. Less money than the Ragley too, although the same price if you go for the carbon fork.

Monty Dog

Firstly, if your budget is limited then you'll get maximum value from buying a whole bike - you pay a premium for after-market compponents in comparison to how much a manufacturer.
The Ragley is a well-sorted frame - designed by Brant Richards of Planet-X/On One repute. Expect to see a few more 2012 CX/crossover bikes / frames with disc option and it is worth considering based on what you're using it for.
If you truly want go-anywhere capability in all conditions, then go for discs - the downside is the weight penalty. Another bonus is that you'll not suffer from rim wear.
If mainly riding on-road but want to ability to go offroad, then the weight benefits of rim brakes are preferrable.
I run both rims brakes and discs with a couple of CX bikes - I'm sticking with cantis for my race bike because I have 3 pairs of wheels with tubs and it keeps it very light. For hacking-about offroad I use the bike with discs because its better on the technical offroad stuff.
Planet-X Kaffenback and Boardman CX are also worth considering in this price range.