Cyclocross bikes around £500-£600

mickisup

Is it just me or do CX bikes seem to be very expensive. Been trying very hard to find my daughter a Small frame bike without luck. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands/models that come in under the £800 mark which appears to be starting point. That is a bit steep for growing teenagers and I simply cannot afford or justify that. Getting a bit desperate now as I don't want to let her down as she is keen to continue racing. Any advice would be gratefully received! - PS Islabikes have been tried but she doesn't suit the geometry.

Barbarossa

Have you looked at Islabikes? The Luath range have canti brakes and clearance for CX tyres.

Edit - sorry missed your P.S.

giropaul

I'd suggest asking around at her club, and putting a sign up at races. As you say, teenagers grow fast, and so there are always going to be smaller bikes for sale as their owners grow.

mickisup

Have spoken to Paul Milnes in Bradford, who can build a very nice bike for just under £700 and that fits the bill. This is a genuine CX bike with plenty of sizing options for a youth. Bang on what I wanted.

hammerite

You have something now, but if anyone else is looking I've seen quite a few Specialized Crux bikes reduced recently to around £7-800. Very good bike.

The other place to look is eBay, but it's buying a bit of an unknown really (I got a decent Kinesis Crosslight for £450 a couple of years back).

Pross

Second hand for growing kids. In my club there is almost a conveyor belt as bikes get sold down to a younger rider each season.

ugo.santalucia

At that price I would go for single speed... fewer mechanical problems, maybe a bit more running than on a geared bike... advantages and disadvantages... I think they are a lot more fun to race on

Look at the All city bikes Nature Boy for a good specimen and see if you find something cheaper

Monty Dog

There's a weenie CX bike on ebay right now - something like a 46cm

mjclements

What size ? My son's 52 crosslite just outgrown.