CycloCross help

Cyril_Snear

Hi, last week i had my Boardman Cyclocross stolen. Luckily it was insured. I got my original bike as part of the cycle to work scheme so it pretty much had to be bought at Halfords. I had the CX since about Feb and other than a few teething problems never really had any trouble with it and really enjoyed the bike.
I will soon be recieving money for a new bike so now im not limited to Halfords. I was just wondering for the same price bracket £950 give or take a small amount either side. Would i be better going elsewhere? Ive had a look at Evans and Leisure lakes and theres quite a few Cyclocrosses around that mark, but when it comes to the spec im useless. I have no problem getting another Boardman but it was my 1st non Mountain bike so i know no better. The bike will be used for my daily commute to work, around 11 miles each way. Mainly on road with minor off road. I want to stick with a cyclocross and dont want a road bike.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710

Thats the original

Also it was stolen as i quickly went in to a shop in the city centre. I now know the combination lock i had wasnt of much use. I wont be doing that again. Are D-Locks the way forward?. Not that i'll be leaving this one!

Thanks for any help

davis

Boardman bikes do tend to represent really good value for money and you know you like it, but I have to say I'd want to at least try a couple of other bikes. If you can go into a decent LBS with cash on the hip then you might be able to get a little bit of deal, plus you'll be supporting an LBS. One that's got to be worth a look is the Kinesis Crosslight (yes, I know that's out of your budget but it's an example build!).

Really, I'd go into your LBS (you don't say where you are) and see what they've got. I'd stick to discs seeing as you're used to them and MTBs (Cantilever brakes are total nightmares, IMO). Come back when you've got a list of which bikes are available and we'll probably go through the specs.

And yes, combination locks are useless. So are cable/rope locks. Take the front wheel off and put it next the back wheel and put a D-Lock through the frame, stand and both wheels. The short answer to "which D-lock" is this. The very long answer is this. All locks are susceptible to a disc cutter.

veronese68

I agree with everything Davis has said, especially about the Kinesis. He's a very wise man.

simon_e

davis wrote:

All locks are susceptible to a disc cutter.

Yep, even the superduper hard-as-granite models that are twice or three times the cost, that's why I bought a Kryptonite Series 2. It's still quite heavy and a pain to carry but it does the job. Add a cable lock through the front wheel and/or fit locking or allen key skewers instead of QRs on your wheels.

Cable locks on their own are OK for popping into a shop for a few minutes but some can be cut just with gardening secateurs.

Cyril_Snear

Thanks for all the advice people, its much appreciated.
That Kinesis does look amazing, but yes unfortunately out of my price range. Im in Manchester, so if you can point me in the way of any decent LBS? Ive been looking at Evans and Leisure Lakes. Yeah i really liked the disk brakes so was planning on going for them again.
Ive been advised that if i do go for another Boardman to join british cycling to get a 10% discount which is nice to know, but i still think i might do better elsewhere.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec030967

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec042558

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec042908

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kon ... e-ec044023

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec043732

Following the advice of a work colleuge ive been looking at the them ones, and was told
The Scott is without discs but a better bike and spec
The cannondale is really good but again without discs
The kona a little more expensive but worth it
And the Genesis is renowned for being a good bike

Cyril_Snear

Ive also looked at these

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9786 ... -bike-2013

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9887 ... -bike-2013

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9702 ... -bike-2013

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1091 ... -bike-2013

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1059 ... -bike-2013

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9391 ... -bike-2013

Ive also been told this one is really good -
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/1284 ... -bike-2014.
But the price is getting a bit steep and im not to keen on the colour to be honest.

So thats a few ive looked at but im open to ideas as i said once it comes to the spec im a beginer at this so any more advice would be really helpful.

Thanks for the lock advice, i will definatly be paying more fore one of those decent locks this time.

Cheers

Cyril_Snear

Just came across this beast
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... g-cross-13

davis

I think that Orange would get my vote for spec, although I'm not hugely sold on its looks. I think discs rock, to the extent I'd rule out any cross bike that didn't have them!

Try a few, and buy one!

Cyril_Snear

So after a lot of time looking at different bikes online, and visiting a few bike shops, i decided to stick to my original Boardman. I joined British cycling and got 10% off. The bright sparks at Halfords some how managed to not have it ready on time twice so i pushed for a further 10% off. So i got a £950 bike for £760 which i was happy with. It looks the same as my old one but after riding it home theres definately something different about it i cant put my finger on it. Anyway im back on the road now so thanks for the advice.