Race ready cross bike

Clarke_111

Hi all,

I am looking to get into racing cross more seriously this year, having dabbled in the past on my MTB (Boardman Team HT).

I am looking to get hold of a race ready cross bike, but on a limited budget, ideally sub £1000 and the lower the better! Are there any decent race bikes around for that price or will I have to go second hand. I would prob be looking at canti's, as discs at that price range are going to take the weight right up. I am not bothered about mud guard/rack mounts etc as have a seperate commuter bike all set up.

I am looking at things like the Cannondale CAADX Sora - I know the frame is decent, but is it just to low a level (component wise) to be race worthy in reality (in anyone who has race experience opinion)? Or would I just be better sticking to the MTB until the budget increases given that the performance gain over a 'cheaper' cross bike will be small/non existant.

Thanks all in advance,

Cheers,

Chris

jotko

Some good deals on Ridley x bikes at CRC, cant comment on suitability for racing but good spec for the cash

eg

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... lID=104927

rubertoe

planet X

skellator3

i got a brand new focus mares 2012 mdl with 105 groupset, fsa chainset 46/36, avid shorty 4 cantis, £700

size is large 56cm

Monty Dog

Paul Milnes Cycles in Bradford (ebay shop) has some great value deals in comparison to big brand offerings. However, if you're serious about racing then you should really consider a pair of race wheels running tubulars - on muddy courses, clinchers will leave you struggling for grip and most likely on foot where others are riding. The important thing about the bike is that it's well maintained and reliable - but tyres (tubulars) are probably the biggest impact on performance.

passout

rubertoe wrote:

planet X

This.

warrior4life

passout wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

planet X

This.

This.

Dirty disco has a more expensive and lighter frame than the XLS.

everydayimriding

The Sensa Fermo from Merlin Cycles is a great cx bike
£870 for 105, carbon fork, internal cabling and I reckon its light enough to be deemed race ready
Ultegra upgrade would take it to just over 1k or you could upgrade the wheels. I went with the Supra RA30

Clarke_111

Thanks all, the PX is great, but at £1.3k it pushes the budget a bit to far. The sensa from Merlin looks really good though.

Another leftfield option is looking at single speed builds. Thought about he Genesis day one disc. Not really a race bike, but pretty cheap, would double up and work great on the commute, and racing cross on mtb I ve not finished 2 races due to rear derailler damage, hence considering ss. Wondered if anyone else raced a similar set up?

Jim C

The PX Uncle John is heavy for a race bike.
Not exactly sure what to recommend at that price. Paul Milnes are good value frames and very popular

Tubs are nice. But they're not essential, even to be very competitive . We have 30+ seniors and more youths in out club racing Notts and Derby league. Our consistent highest finishers have one bike each and use clinches. What they are in smoooooth on the bike, and very good bike handlers. So work on this. From experience, tubs cost £££ to keep going. Fine if U have those £££

murf1480

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -bike.html


Or the cheaper version

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/b ... -bike.html