Contemplating a Cyclocross

ruary
ruary Posts: 6
edited September 2013 in Commuting general
I'm contemplating a new bike, I do a bit of XC on my MTB and commute over some rough roads most mornings, the road bike it taking too much of a hammering on the commute and the MTB has seen better days so I'm considering a cyclocross.
Don't really want to break the bank so hoping getting something half decent for sub £700 is possible since I'm not intending racing, I've been and had a test of ride of a Revolution Cross Sport and it felt pretty good (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...s ... ross-bikes) the salesman mentioned that although they didn't have one in the shop for the same money I could get a 2011 Specialised Tricross Sport (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...r ... ross-bikes) which has left me in a bit of a dilemma, I've asked them to get one in so I can have a test but I've ridden afew specialised on the road and wasn't that comfortable with them. Trouble is most of the reviews seem to rate the tricross well and in truth I can find that much opinion of the Revolution so I'm a bit stuck.
Hoping someone might have an opionion or other options that might help
Thanks
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain

Comments

  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    I have the TriCross sport for commuting/wet riding.
    Stock wheels are a bit naff - ok for the CX tyres I guess, but I have a second, better wheelset for road use (with 23mm GP4seasons on). The stock CX tyres are also a bit naff - they're ok, but can't cope with anything really slippery (mud wise).
    As for comfort - I bought the same size frame as my Spec road bike - only changes I've made there is a longer stem as I felt a bit cramped whilst on the road (most of my riding). I've also changed the brake pads for Koolstop Dual Compound (iirc) and they're better than the stock ones...

    Can't see the spec of the Revolution Cross as the site crashes - but Specialized are notorious for high price/low spec - that said, an older version (2011 is the one I have) will be significantly discounted - so could bring it in line.
    One thing to note is that the carbon forks on my bike do not have any mounting points for mudguards - so you need some p-brackets or some such (I used the mounting bits for a crud roadracer) - also, if you're after a front rack then I'm not sure it'd fit. On the back it's fine - my rack is now a permanent mount - I'll just fit mudguards come the winter/sustained wet weather.

    I guess the thing to do is to try both bikes (or the same geometry frame at least) and see how it feels - that's more important ...
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    Buy my focus....

    PM if your interested in pics and details...
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills
  • gotwood25
    gotwood25 Posts: 314
    Not to derail your post but I am in Whitley Bay and selling a Boardman CX Team, give me a PM if interested.
  • nufc_fan
    nufc_fan Posts: 70
    What size CX are you selling? is it in the classifieds?
  • aberdeenal
    aberdeenal Posts: 200
    I bought a Genesis Croix de Fer a few weeks back and used it for the first time (along with some modifications) during Ride the North last weekend and it was fab - well worth a look if you're looking for a steel framed, disc braked commuting bike :-)
  • jimmypippa
    jimmypippa Posts: 1,712
    AberdeenAl wrote:
    I bought a Genesis Croix de Fer a few weeks back and used it for the first time (along with some modifications) during Ride the North last weekend and it was fab - well worth a look if you're looking for a steel framed, disc braked commuting bike :-)

    I have one and it is fun.
    http://www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=6404

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