Cyclocross Advice

djlowe

Hi

Will be buying a cyclocross bike in the next month and looking for a bit of advice. The options are:

Genesis Vapour Disc 2012 tiagra £1000
Focus AX 2.0 2013 105 £1099
Cannondale CAADX 2013 Disc Ultegra £1499

I like the idea of being able to use genesis as a tourer if I ever felt of doing that but not at the expense of its cyclocross ability. I am not convinced that the cannon dale is a necessary expense and am tempted but the Focus for its price point and spec. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

Thanks

spatt77

hi, i bought a cube xrace 105,for £1049 and i like it really nice bike the only other thing i was tempted by was the kenisis cross but for value for money the cube`s great

gingermagician

Evans are doing the 2012 CAADX 105 for £880 at the moment, if you can live with the lower groupset (105 on my Synapse and have no complaints) and cantilever brakes. Seems like shedloads of bike for the money, given the excellent reviews.

Quite tempted myself, even though I have no need whatsoever for a CX bike

Monty Dog

Depends if your priority is general trail riding and a bit of touring or fancy a go at CX racing?

djlowe

Bike would be for CX. I have a winter road bike but like the idea of flexibility for touring but not at the expense of CX if gap is huge in terms of performance / weight.

djlowe

meant to say want discs which is why I am not considering the Cinelli on Wiggle or the CAADX on Evans.

bigpikle

I have a 2009 CAAD 9 CX which I have raced a season and also used as a winter bike - absolutely love the frame. Its good enough to race happily and is great on the road - like the CAAD10 road bike I've also ridden a fair bit. Would love a disc equipped version to race on this season but thats going to have to wait until next year sadly.

No idea on the own brand disc brakes Cannondale offer though vs the other frames. Focus always seem to get a good review especially on value in the CX bikes. Have you thought about the Planet X disc CX bikes?

raymondo60

Another opinion for what its worth. Recently bought a Stevens Vapor online from Hargoves Cycles, about £1499 inc the Vat. Allu frame, carbon fork, Ultegra Groupset (46/36 CX Chainset) and, which was the winner for me, Avid BB5 cable discs. Just couldn't live with the cantis on my old Boardman Pro CX anymore, especially in the wet. The Vapor is a real speed machine, rides like a dream, but doesn't have mudguard/rack eyelets so it will not convert for commuting/touring (although I do commute on mine). I'm planning on some CX sportives/races later this year and the Vapor will be well suited - unlike my legs!