What first bike?

caesium
caesium Posts: 2
edited July 2013 in Commuting general
Hi all,

I'm looking to get a bicycle to commute to work a few times a week. The commute is a 24 mile round trip.

I have been researching and speaking to knowledgeable friends and have my heart set on a cyclocross bike as I would very much like to use on weekends for river towpaths and the like.

My budget was around £1000 (but may have stretched slightly! - see below). So far my only requirements are that they are disc brakes as I plan to ride through winter and have mudguard mounting points.

I have narrowed it down to the three following bikes all at quite different price points and am looking for opinions on the best purchase out of them.

First is the Boardman CX Team 2013 which is at £854.99 but with 10% off takes it to £769....I've also read that with a "British Cycling" membership at £15 I can get a further 10% off at Halfords which would take the price to around the £700 mark. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777731_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Second is the Jamis Nova Race 2013 which is at £900 which comes with Tiagra components and BB7 brakes (both of which my research tells me are good components)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/nova-race-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec041503

Finally, this is where the budget may have stretched... the Rose Pro DX Cross 2000 at £1136 delivered. This has 105 components and BB7 brakes and in my eyes is gorgeous! http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000/aid:611965

My concerns with the Rose is that it comes from Germany and won't have a chance to try it out first...but unless I am mistaken this is the same with the Boardman - I will only be allowed to ride around the store at Halfords?? It seems that only Evans (the Jamis) will allow someone to take the bike out.

Clearly there is a fair difference in the prices of the three bikes and I have narrowed them down from my research as they all seem a lot of bike for their respective money.

Any advice is much appreciated

Comments

  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    They all look good, rose and boardman were on my list but I ended up getting a Specialized Secteur Cross Disc, more road than CX but lower spec levels (Sora and BB5) than the others. But a better frame.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Merida 4D Crosser is getting a lot of fans and good press right now.
    http://www.ascycles.co.uk/index.php/Pro ... ss-4d-2013

    Thats currently £900 for Tiagra/105 with FSA Gossamer crankset and carbon forks.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.