New bike needed ! 25mile commute!

Cycling-mad

Hello all im currently riding a Felt f1x cyclocross during my daily 25 mile commute and after alot of discomfort (back, neck and wrists ect) iv found its far too big So a new bike is needed What would be your suggestions and why? I mainly only cycle the 5 days a week 200km per week ect I dont think i can use a road bike purely because of the "Asfalt" path that runs most of the way whilst not on the road is in such bad condition i think id brake myself and / or the bike
The commute has its fair share of hills / long hills however there is some down and alot of flat paths I live in Norway and plan to carry on through the winter Any suggestions before i come back to England in a few weeks and hopefully purchase a new machine? Thanks again!

*I wouldnt mind doing some touring in the future and only plan to keep one bike - however it will be rare*

Cycling-mad

Ok, my main two ideas are between the Boarman cx pro (cyclocross) costing roughly 1300GBP or a Boarman Hybrid pro approx 1000GBP! Any suggestions here? Thanks!

rubertoe

Cycling-mad wrote:

Hello all im currently riding a Felt f1x cyclocross during my daily 25 mile commute and after alot of discomfort (back, neck and wrists ect) iv found its far too big So a new bike is needed What would be your suggestions and why? I mainly only cycle the 5 days a week 200km per week ect I dont think i can use a road bike purely because of the "Asfalt" path that runs most of the way whilst not on the road is in such bad condition i think id brake myself and / or the bike
The commute has its fair share of hills / long hills however there is some down and alot of flat paths I live in Norway and plan to carry on through the winter Any suggestions before i come back to England in a few weeks and hopefully purchase a new machine? Thanks again!

*I wouldnt mind doing some touring in the future and only plan to keep one bike - however it will be rare*

Get a Felt F1X that fits. or any other CX that does, boardman CX get great reviews and can tack a rack and guards.

Luckily for you Wiggle are the international Distributor for Boardman

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-cx-team/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman/ (All the boardmans here)

Cycling-mad

Hey there! The f1x is a 08/09 model which they no longer make so its not as simple as "get one that fits" as the new version costs £4 535 - simple answer - no chance The Hybrid is the pro version higher spec the cx would be the team version at a similar cost! Im slightly worried (being on the heavyer side of life) with a stomache attached - id probably carry on with the back/neck and wrist ache regardless of bike size if i stuck with a cyclocross?

Cycling-mad

Plus i must add - Wiggle wont have a CX team untill atleast Feb by then id assume the 2013 models would be arriving ?

rubertoe

I Hear that CB are updating and this will probably be feb/march time.

you could probably source one if you were in the UK

Bike fit is important, and a well fitting bike should do away with all the pain.

How about another Felt?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f75x-2013/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f65x-2013/

I love my CX for commuting so am biased.

Cycling-mad

Haha i agree! iv read all the reviews on the boardman cx's ect im back in the uk in two weeks maybe i could pick one up then! Then figure out how to bring it back later :P Any thoughts on a hybrid pro compared with a cx team in terms of comfort and speed over the 25 ish mile daily commute? thanks again!!

rubertoe

Just another thought

Whyte bikes.

CX
http://www.whytebikes.com/2013/section. ... 064555c16b

Hybrid
http://www.whytebikes.com/2013/section. ... 45&xPage=1

Not helping am I?

BelgianBeerGeek

Another biased CX commuter here. Check out the Pinnacle CX range from Evans. Excellent bikes and good value. I know some don't like Evan's customer service much but I bought mine online and it came pretty well perfectly set up apart from saddle and handlebars. Fittings for rack/guards too so very versatile.

thespanishadam

What about the Dolan CX frameset?.

Transfer as many of your existening components as possible.

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/cyclo-cross/ ... 20Frameset

Cycling-mad

Hey all thanks for the replies! Not too interested in a frameset with parts transfer! I want something that will last get me from home to work (13mile each way) with as much speed / comfort possible! Im looking at spending around 1000gbp! My main interest is ATM the boardman hybrid pro! However I have not cycled one before and not sure how viable the bike would be for long distance ! If impossible (by opinion) I'll happily resort to a boardman cx team or similar if needed but I only have the one shot at buying one and that's in about a weeks time

rubertoe

If your gonna go for a Hybrid Pro,

Which are basically a flat barred CX/Road bike (but i'd imagine less sturdy than a CX) phone ahead and make sure that the store your going to have one in store. Halfords are good at telling you they have stock but getting to look at one in store in the size you want is a different story.

rickyrider

Yep, fit is the key. But CX definitely the way to go. You should consider a Kona Jake - much cooler than ubiquitous Boardmans...

Cycling-mad

All great advice sneakily mainly from (cx biased) hehe! I took a look at all suggested! Kona jake is nice - iv had a Kona in the past and ill be honest just wasnt my cup of tea! Hybrid pro vs cx team cant choose! Anybody know would the cx be significantly faster than a hybrid for a mixed terrain (20% offroad - 80% paths & road - 13mile each way commute) or would they both be in the same league - climbing - speed - comfort ect! As im not likely to ever enter a cross race (im too much of a wimp) and mainly commute with the occasional fun light touring trip thrown in at the weekends! Much of the riding within a good distance of this area is to the ratio mentioned above! A road bike just wouldnt withstand the bad asfalt around here !

Big_Paul

I have a Hybrid, an MTB and a CX and the CX is the ticket for the longer rides, more versatile, more hand positions, basically it will do everything the others will. Only faster.

MisterMuncher

'Dale CAAD X 105 can be had for around a grand?

Cycling-mad

Ok! Cyclocross it is! After hours of research and there's too much choice out there - what should I be looking at for 1000GBP maybe slightly higher? Any major suggestions? At the moment all k have in mind are - kona jake, boardman cx team ? Must be able to attach full fenders and pannier rack just incase! oh yes and Ofcourse - disc brakes are a must for the weather conditions most of the year here! Only a week to decide! Oh how time flies when your cycling along

jimmypippa

Genesis CdF, maybe?

Initialised

Specialized Secteur Sport Disc '13 maybe?

rubertoe

Initialised wrote:

Specialized Secteur Sport Disc '13 maybe?

Pretty,

Also consider something like a Day One Alfine (genesis) as it will be low maintenence in what will be harsh conditions

mudslinger

Definitely a CX bike is the answer. I've just bought a Boardman CX Team to replace a Specialized Tricross I use as my winter road bike / commuter. Very pleased with it so far so, fairly quick & comfortable on the road but not taken it off-road yet. Disc brakes are excellent & is something I wanted as my commute is over the South Downs so some steep twisty descents.

Cycling-mad

Initialised wrote:

Specialized Secteur Sport Disc '13 maybe?

Pretty but not quite a cyclocross Not too fond of the CDF Day one alfine is nice but overly pricey ;(

Been looking at a Whyte Saxon cross after a previous mention (thank you)
http://www.whytebikes.com/2013/product. ... 12&xSec=43
What do you guys think? alot for a paintjob or worth the pennies?

Thanks again!

Cycling-mad

Hi Mudslinger ! Thanks for the my main two choices at the moment are between the CX Team and Whyte Saxon cross
Finding so many, yet such a hard choice and overall little time to try Thanks for the great info guys and girls! Keep it comming!

Initialised

Cycling-mad wrote:

Initialised wrote:

Specialized Secteur Sport Disc '13 maybe?

Pretty but not quite a cyclocross Not too fond of the CDF Day one alfine is nice but overly pricey ;(

Been looking at a Whyte Saxon cross after a previous mention (thank you)
http://www.whytebikes.com/2013/product. ... 12&xSec=43
What do you guys think? alot for a paintjob or worth the pennies?

Thanks again!

Not strictly CX but it's o my shortlist.

mudslinger

Yes the Whyte looks a very nice bike. Don't think you can go wrong with either.

If you are not aware then you get 10% off at Halfords if you are a member of British Cycling. You get £10 cashback if you join with Quidco.

I notice Halfords have put up the price of the Boardman to £950 which is a shame. However that normally means they will drop the price so that it looks like a bigger reduction.

Cycling-mad

Thanks for the great advice! Not sure if I can be a member if I don't live in the UK anymore! I shall look into this I'm thinking between the whyte charging cross and the Saxon cross however I'm not a expert and I'm not sure the £300 extra justifies the upgrades? Any thoughts there? Iv ruled out the boardman purely because I don't trust halfords enough on the build quality that i could buy the bike and fly back to Norway with it in full working order! Would be a disaster if anything went wrong time shall tell will be looking at them on Wednesday! Have a great week all - safe cycling !