Help with a newbie to cyclocross please

twonks

As title really.

At 42 I've ridden bikes for over half my life but always fall back to the first love of mtb riding.

I have a hardtail and FS but find myself wanting to ride into work using canal paths and bridleways as well as a lap or so of Rutland water occasionally.

Not really interested in road riding unless part of an off road route, as I've had a few decent road bikes and never really got on with tarmac munching.

Both the mtbs are way OTT for this riding so I am looking at a CX beasty.

However at 240lb is the demand on a CX wheelset and tyres too much to be rattling around bridleways and rutted singletrack at 20mph+ (downhill at least ;o) )

If it is, what sort of bike should I be looking for. I fancy discs and hydraulic if possible, but ideally want it cheaper than £600 and don't mind s/hand.

Any thoughts about the general use of a CX bike against that say of a rigid mtb, and also comments on bikes to look out for would be much appreciated.

cyclingsheep

Cross bikes in general are built to be stronger to help with the rough treatment they get so rider weight shouldn't be an issue. If you're going second hand I wouldn't worry about wheel sets and just ride what you buy until it brakes. I'm also 42 and bought my cross bike second hand for £600 on eBay and have been racing it this winter and I have to say I love it. I too come from a mtb background (cross country mainly) but in the past few years had switched to the road and I was craving for the off road excitement and CX has it all for me. I can't help you with what bike as it really will just depend on what's out there. Good luck.

FransJacques

Find a nice second hand Giant TCX or Focus Mares or Spesh Crux. There are a lot of good bikes out there on sale. More so after the cross season ends in Feb.

Don't worry about weight - I'm 80+kgs and at the speed I hit stuff when racing the force would be like someone double your size.

Your bottle will run out long before you can hit and break something on a good cross bike from wear and tear. Be sure not to run your tyres under 50 or 60 psi. Else buy shares in a rubber company...

durhamwasp

Ridley X-Bows are good value, and can usually be picked up 2nd hand for a bargain

Monty Dog

You'll struggle to find hydraulic discs on a CX bike, especially used as they're pretty new, so likely to be cable-actated. TRP HyRds are good - cable/disc hybrid. Disc wheels are likely to be built 32 hole, so strong rims and fit the widest tyres you can fit - 40mm Schwalbe Smart Sams are cheap and durable and ideal for mixed trail use.