Croix De Fer 2013 - couple of questions

alesupper
alesupper Posts: 286
edited November 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi All

I am seriously considering buying a Croix De Fer for recreational CX, commuting, winter training and very occasional touring. I have a couple of questions:-
    steel frame - is rust a concern?
    how much do they weigh? (It annoys me when manufacturers don't list weight)
    I am 5' 9" and was thinking a 54 would be the right size?
As an alternative to the CDF I am also considering a Boardman CX Team - opinions please?

Comments

  • I have one. It's very heavy but the frame is just immense. 54 should be correct. It will give you a lot of pleasure.

    The boardman is probably a better crosser, the croix a better tourer.

    Love mine.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • 54 or 56... maybe 54 better..

    it weighs 12 Kg... it is possible to shed nearly 1 Kg by upgrading to lighter wheels... mine is now under 11 Kg

    It is a very nice "do it all" bike, but as a do it all it does not excel in any particular area

    Rust is not a concern, as long as you don't leave it out at night in winter and you clean it regularly... like any bike, really
    left the forum March 2023
  • samsbike
    samsbike Posts: 942
    What they all said and I would have said a 54 is probably better for you.

    There is a good review on bikeradar. I would also check out the boardman for value and a specialized tricross.
  • Thanks for the replies so far, I really appreciate it.

    12kgs? wow that is some weight! This is battering my head trying to decide whether to go for the CDF or the Boardman CX Team. I originally set off thinking that the CDF was a better all rounder because the steel frame will be better for touring, which it would. However, I will only be doing shortish tours (no longer than 1 week) once a year so for the vast majority of the time this bike will be used on and off road for training/fun. I live in Kendal near the Lakes so my plan is to use a cross bike to ride on the road to Grizedale then have a burn around the fire tracks there and then ride home again. So for this purpose I am now thinking that the lighter Boardman would be the better option?

    Opinions appreciated.

    ugo.santalucia - which wheels did you buy to shed over 1kg off your CDF?
  • alesupper wrote:
    Thanks for the replies so far, I really appreciate it.

    12kgs? wow that is some weight! This is battering my head trying to decide whether to go for the CDF or the Boardman CX Team. I originally set off thinking that the CDF was a better all rounder because the steel frame will be better for touring, which it would. However, I will only be doing shortish tours (no longer than 1 week) once a year so for the vast majority of the time this bike will be used on and off road for training/fun. I live in Kendal near the Lakes so my plan is to use a cross bike to ride on the road to Grizedale then have a burn around the fire tracks there and then ride home again. So for this purpose I am now thinking that the lighter Boardman would be the better option?

    Opinions appreciated.

    ugo.santalucia - which wheels did you buy to shed over 1kg off your CDF?

    The CdF is a bit over-geared for off road, you need a CX chainset or a cassette with at least a 28 sprocket (mine came with 25)... if off road is the main use, go for the Boardman

    I do build my own wheels, I used Novatec 711/712 hubs, ACI DB spokes and Ambrosio Excellence rims, not the lightest combo, but I wanted a lightish set of wheels which could stand Paris-Roubaix (see avatar) and other abuse. All CX disc bikes come with crap wheels, also the Boardman

    PS: not over a Kg, just under, the rest of the weight is due to groupset change
    left the forum March 2023