Best cyclocross commuter

chrismitchell

Hi everyone!

I'm looking at getting a cyclocross bike to commute on the cycle to work scheme. This restricts me to certain shops in the area (Cornwall) and I've been offered the following bikes by local shops for under a grand

Cannondale CaadX Tiagra for £949.99
Specialised Tricross for £750
Tricross sport disc for £1000
Cube crossrace for £999
Scott CX comp £999

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to bikes, and I'd appreciate any advice on pros/cons of these models

Cheers!

Chris

slowbike

I've got the Tricross Sport (not disc) with Tiagra for the winter - it's great for my route which is 1/2 A road and 1/2 single track country roads. I'm just using the standard tyres for now until they start puncturing. Additions are mudguards, SPDs and decent lights.
I went with the Specialized because I already have one of their road bikes and I'm happy with that - plus because it was a previous years model it was significantly discounted! Basically it feels like my road bike with a slightly more relaxed riding position.
With the drier roads I'm tempted to put narrower tyres on - or just swap back to my road bike ..

I believe all the ones you've mentioned are good brands and will have comparable kit on them - so your best bet is to get to the shops and give each one a test ride....

veronese68

If you're going to ride in bad weather I would recommend something with discs. Canti's are not very good in the wet. I'm selling my Kona with canti's in favour of something with discs.

Kieran_Burns

Tricross Sport disc - got all the bits you need ('guards and pannier mounts) and discs.

Plus the Tricross is a very neutral bike to ride - makes it 'easy' to commute on.

Twen

Whyte charing cross 2013 highly recommended spent ages looking at bikes this category but went for the 2013 model.
British designed, mounts for guards and pannier, Tiagra, carbon fork and disc brakes definitely one to consider....

AndyOgy

All of those are Aluminium. It's ok but you should be able to get something in steel for that sort of money, like a Genesis CdF.

meanredspider

Some of the kit that's on there may help you decide. With discs (essential to my mind) then BB7 brakes are your best bet. I would also aim for the lightest bike you can. For winter commuting (may not be a big problem in Cornwall - you could hardly be further from me) you may consider winter studded tyres. These are all seemingly incredibly heavy. Adding them to an already heavy bike is pretty miserable.

AndyOgy wrote:

All of those are Aluminium. It's ok but you should be able to get something in steel for that sort of money, like a Genesis CdF.

My neighbour and fellow (almost identical commute) commuter rides a CdF. He's a greased weasel on a road bike but, on his CdF, I'm faster on my MTB with Ice Spikers. He reckons the CdF is pretty heavy and, based upon that evidence, it must be. You're proposing steel for its ride comfort?

MichaelW

I dont think it makes much difference between steel and aluminium, I ride bikes of both materials. Aluminium is the material of std Taiwanese factory bikes that 95% of commuters ride.
Disc brakes are a major plus in mucky winter conditions. Note the location of the rear brake. Chainstay mounted brakes can interfere with the rack, requiring a special disc-compatible one that is wider, weaker, less aerodynamic. Seatstay mounted brakes are rack and mudguard compatible but may have poor cable angle that allows water ingress.

redvee

I've just bit the bullet on a Planet-X Kaffenback to build up slowly as the purchase of bits allow.

nigglenoo

Winter commuting in Cornwall: I have only seen one morning with any ice on the roads all this winter! About two inches of snow fell once and did not settle on the roads. Plenty of wind and rain though, floods and debris on the roads and the hills seem to get bigger at this time of year?! Certainly don't need studded tyres normally (though I did in the two recent bad winters, made them myself with self-tappers in MTB knobbly tyres, worked a treat).

oldwelshman

I am about to get the Genisis CdF from bike to work scheme.

slowworm

Hi OW
Did you buy the Genesis CDF? How did you find it?
I am thinking about buying a commuter that I can take on tow paths - oh and I want to fix mudguards ( is that a prob)
Cheers
James

Stevo_666

Is Boardman an option?

This is £899:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cx_team.html

BelgianBeerGeek

G'day Chris. I'd listen to your mucker above. There's Cornwall and there's Cornwall! Going over Bodmin Moor for example I know you can expect the unexpected.
Tough brakes and tyres the bare minimum. Rest up to you. Good luck.