Cyclocross bike advise

javidr
javidr Posts: 139
edited January 2014 in Cyclocross
Hi

I have an old Falcon Adventurer (2009) and i feel like i need to go a step further

I use the bike mainly for road and paths, but i would like to go through some dirt track as well

My budget is around £1000 and i was thiking on Giant TCX 2014 2, that looks very well, but seems like it has been discontinued because of some problems with the brakes

Can you recommend a good bike in that price? I have seen the Giant Revolt 2, and a friend of mine has recommended Trek Crockett 5, but i am open to hear from you about different options

Thanks
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Comments

  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,928
    Planet X have a carbon framed cyclocross bike, 105 and avid BB7s for a smidge under £1000 that I have my eye on.
    http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLS105 ... cross-bike

    They do an ally framed cross bike with tiagra & canti brakes for a couple of hundred quid less as well
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Sounds good, but very cheap for a carbon frane. I never heard about planet x before. Any review?

    After that, tyres... It wears a cx pro. How is that tyre working in tarmac?
  • monkimark
    monkimark Posts: 1,928
    Planet X bikes are pretty well known and generally well regarded - I had one of their carbon road frames until some scrote nicked it and was very happy with it.
    viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12902723&start=60

    Couldn't comment on the tyres as i've never ridden them - guess you need to look at the type of tracks you'll be riding and choose the best comprimise between quick rolling n tarmac or grip on dirt.
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Thanks

    Do you know if xplanet are open to modify components in the bike, eg - changing crankset to 48 instead of ;6, or changing tge tyre size?
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    JaviDR wrote:
    Sounds good, but very cheap for a carbon frane. I never heard about planet x before. Any review?

    After that, tyres... It wears a cx pro. How is that tyre working in tarmac?

    There are no reviews online apart from :
    http://crossjunkie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... cyclo.html

    But he is a PX sponsored rider as far as I know, so will be biased. I've been very happy with mine.

    As for tyres, you need to choose the best fit for your requirements.
    28mm road would be preferable if you are planning on 100% tarmac but would be useless if you planned to ride on mud. And obviously the wider and more knobbly tyres are better in the mud, but will be a grind on the road compared to road tyres.
    Simon
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Thanks

    Size would be 32/35, 28 is too narrow for me... :)

    My question was more directed on the type of tyre, as the CX shape is more designed for mud, compared with, for example, the marathon plus.I wanted to know how does the CX behave on tarmac, if i lose a lot of speed compared with the marathon, and if the tyre will worn quickly

    Thank you!
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    JaviDR wrote:
    Thanks

    Size would be 32/35, 28 is too narrow for me... :)

    My question was more directed on the type of tyre, as the CX shape is more designed for mud, compared with, for example, the marathon plus.I wanted to know how does the CX behave on tarmac, if i lose a lot of speed compared with the marathon, and if the tyre will worn quickly

    Thank you!

    There are a range of CX tyres:
    http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ross.shtml

    You pick one that suites your terrain.

    So on tarmac this ... http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... peed.shtml
    will roll faster than http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... cross.html but would be better in mud. And this http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ross.shtml would be a 'middle compromise'
    Simon
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    monkimark wrote:
    Planet X bikes are pretty well known and generally well regarded - I had one of their carbon road frames until some scrote nicked it and was very happy with it.
    viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12902723&start=60

    Couldn't comment on the tyres as i've never ridden them - guess you need to look at the type of tracks you'll be riding and choose the best comprimise between quick rolling n tarmac or grip on dirt.

    Nice bike in the link LOL
    Here's a slightly less cramped looking version....

    10122404873_f6ea2ca1ca_c.jpg
    Simon
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    The Planet X one looks awesome but doesn't have mudguard or rack mounts.
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    edited January 2014
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    The Planet X one looks awesome but doesn't have mudguard or rack mounts.

    That is a bit of a pain.

    Racks are a non starter. As for mudguards, this is also a bit of a struggle as you don't even have brake callipers for Crud RoadRacer's, although I plan to fit these using "tie-wraps" - which shouldn't be too much of an issue, but the mudguards will be a little distance from the wheels (which might be an issue)
    Simon
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    I'm a big fan of the XLS frame for racing. Can't comment on the components because I built mine up myself.

    For a more general-purpose bike, I've heard good things about the Kinesis Pro6, though I haven't actually ridden one. Fairly race-oriented geometry, but apparently quite easy to mount rack/mudguards.
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Components look worst in this bike, as far as i have been told, shimano 105 is the dog bollocks for £1000, and tiagra is slightly worst, maybe i am wrong...

    So for this money, i dont think i can have anything better than the XLS, right?
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    In order of quality
    * Dura Ace
    * Ultegra
    * 105
    * Tiagra
    * Sora
    * Claris

    Each one is a step up in quality with no significant jumps e.g. Tiagra is slightly better than Sora. Sora is slightly better than Claris.
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    JaviDR wrote:
    Components look worst in this bike, as far as i have been told, shimano 105 is the dog **** for £1000, and tiagra is slightly worst, maybe i am wrong...

    So for this money, i dont think i can have anything better than the XLS, right?

    I had 105 on my old Jamis cross and it worked perfectly (smooth shifting etc) and that bike was probably 10 years old when I sold it. I don't think there is anything wrong with 105 at all, although I personally prefer the shifting of SRAM. For reference, my XLS has SRAM Rival rather than 105

    I've always thought that the main part of the build is the frame, since this is the most difficult and expensive to replace/upgrade.

    Talking about the Kinesis Pro6, this was top of my list but ended up working out more expensive than the XLS. The Kinesis cross bikes seem very highly regarded and I can't say I've seen a negative comment about these bikes.
    Simon
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    Get the PX, they're quite a proven brand with a good name. Unlike a lot of cheap bike providers out there PX are frame designers and they love tinkering with new designs and geometries. I've never owned one but the evidence I see is that, on the MTB site, they are quick to stand behind their products, good or bad, and put their hands up if they release something that had a flaw. I kinda remember a story with the original SS 26er or 29er' orbital BB was sloppy. They helped the customers out.

    Therefore, if you get a XLS and there are problem with it you can be confident they'll offer you the next iteration. Flip side is they release bikes regularly (the xls is their second carbon disc crosser in <12 months) so no matter what you buy, there'll be a tweaked version out shortly thereafter.

    that said, the XLS has all the latest bells and whistles (1.5 lower HS cup, BB30, discs, short stays, etc.) so just buy it already!
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Great. Thanks

    Now the key point... Configuration. There are lots of options to choose,as chainset length, cassette...I will use mainly in roads

    Which config would you recommend?

    And said that, where can i read a bit about this, eg - how affect the chainset length to the bike, etc...

    Thank you in advance
  • bobley
    bobley Posts: 60
    Its hard to comment on the "standard" XLS as PX change it every other day. I bought the XLS 105 version back in October and I use it to chase TGOTB around muddy fields. Overall I'm very pleased with the bike but the original Shimano RX05 wheels weigh far too much so I only use them for snotting around the lanes with a pair of old Schwalbe 25mm Stelvio road tyres. I did fit some Marathons but they added so much more weight that I gave them away. Instead I would get some GP4000 4 Seasons or Lugano in 28mm .

    I would certainly recommend you buy the bike but have a good look at what wheels are on offer at the time. I now run mine on Stans Iron Cross...but I still cant keep up with TGOTB
  • bobley
    bobley Posts: 60
    Its hard to comment on the "standard" XLS as PX change it every other day. I bought the XLS 105 version back in October and I use it to chase TGOTB around muddy fields. Overall I'm very pleased with the bike but the original Shimano RX05 wheels weigh far too much so I only use them for snotting around the lanes with a pair of old Schwalbe 25mm Stelvio road tyres. I did fit some Marathons but they added so much more weight that I gave them away. Instead I would get some GP4000 4 Seasons or Lugano in 28mm .

    I would certainly recommend you buy the bike but have a good look at what wheels are on offer at the time. I now run mine on Stans Iron Cross...but I still cant keep up with TGOTB
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    If you're mostly going to be using it on-road, go for a regular 34/50 compact chainset and your normal length cranks, and probably something like a 12/27 or 12/28.

    On a race bike you don't need the 50; whether you want the 34 is a bit personal. 36/46 is a fairly mainstream combo; I'm an inveterate spinner and race with 33/44. Some people use longer cranks (I have 175, vs 172.5 on the road bike) but I doubt it actually makes any difference...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    bobley wrote:
    I would certainly recommend you buy the bike but have a good look at what wheels are on offer at the time. I now run mine on Stans Iron Cross...but I still cant keep up with TGOTB
    That's because I'm also running Iron Cross rims on an XLS frameset; the difference is that I have 175mm cranks :-)
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • springtide9
    springtide9 Posts: 1,731
    TGOTB wrote:
    If you're mostly going to be using it on-road, go for a regular 34/50 compact chainset and your normal length cranks, and probably something like a 12/27 or 12/28.

    On a race bike you don't need the 50; whether you want the 34 is a bit personal. 36/46 is a fairly mainstream combo; I'm an inveterate spinner and race with 33/44. Some people use longer cranks (I have 175, vs 172.5 on the road bike) but I doubt it actually makes any difference...

    To add to the above...

    In terms of gearing, funny enough a 46/11 is exactly the same as 50/12 - so although I thought the 46 wouldn't give a big enough gear, it's fine. Also a 36/28 is the same as a 34/26, so a 28 on the rear isn't as big as as you'd expect.

    If you are running wider tyres than a normal road bike, then 36/46 with 11-28 will pretty much match what most people use on a std road bike.

    As for options.. I personally like compact bars.. but apart from that, spend any extra you have on better/lighter wheels.
    If you plan to use on and offroad, maybe get the standard wheels but also get a set of lighter road specific wheels & tyres. Standard wheels are well built, durable and strong, just a little heavier as you'd expect from a budget wheel (compared to a £300 pair!)
    Simon
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Still unsure about the planet x. I have been told that customer service is crap and most of the shops wouldnt fix the bike if needed as they sale only via internet

    Any truth on that?
  • antsmithmk
    antsmithmk Posts: 717
    No truth in that at all! No LBS can afford to turn away business IMO.
  • bobley
    bobley Posts: 60
    Of the nearest dozen or so bike shops I've only ever seen CX bikes in one. Any of the others would be mad to turn away servicing/repair business.

    As much as the frame,stem and seatpost say Planet X on it, everything else is straight out of the Avid/Shimano/San Marco/Deda catalogue so an LBS should be able to fix everything in minutes. Given that most parts take a clattering doing CX, if anything needed attention I'd just throw a new part on. Not much on the bike costs that much. The only real oddball part is the bottom bracket which is a KCMC PF30 to Hollowtech adapter. That might be hard for an LBS to find but you can mail order them direct from PX.
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Great. Will buy then planet x... im starting to become crazy, jumping from a Falcon Adventurer, everything will be like a rocket for me hehe...

    Last couple of configuration questions. I am 1.80cm and i can do 27km/h with the falconer in an aprox 25 km road route with some small 6% climbs (less than 300m). I have a lot of power and like going in the highest gear (48-14 in the falconer), but my cadence sometimes is poor, so i want to improve it without loosing speed

    So, i have some questions for the components to choose:

    Cassette. I have those 4 options. I would say that 11-28 is the best, but maybe there is a lot of change between gears (11,12,13,14,15,17,19,21,24,28). Which one would you choose?:

    Shimano 105 5700 Cassette
    10 Speed | 11-28

    Shimano 105 5700 Cassette
    10 Speed | 11-25

    Shimano 105 5700 Cassette
    10 Speed | 12-27

    Shimano 105 5700 Cassette
    10 Speed | 12-25


    Chainset size. My leg, from hip to ankle, is 85cm, i dont which size of chainset should i pick, im totally lost in this one

    FSA Gossamer Compact BB386 EVO Chainset
    170mm | 46-36T | Black | No BB

    FSA Gossamer Compact BB386 EVO Chainset
    175mm | 46-36T | Black | No BB

    FSA Gossamer Compact BB386 EVO Chainset
    172.5mm | 46-36T | Black | No BB


    Handlebars. Im lost with this one as well. It is the first time i will have this style of handlebar. All my previous bikes had the typical handlebar


    Selcof KP04 Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 42cm | Black

    Selcof KP04 Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 40cm | Black

    4ZA Stratos Compact Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 44cm | Black and White

    Selcof KP04 Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 42cm | Black

    Selcof KP04 Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 40cm | Black

    4ZA Stratos Compact Drop Handlebar
    31.8mm | 44cm | Black and White


    Stem. Again, a new word for me... if giving any extra information from me (eg, arms length) would help, i can provide it

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 100mm | White

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 120mm | Black

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 90mm | Black

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 110mm | White

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 60mm | Black

    Selcof KA04 Aluminium Stem
    31.8mm | 120mm | White

    Wheels. I think i will go with the standard unless somebody say that there is a huge difference and worths the extra money

    Mach 1 820 Rims On Deore M525 29er Wheelset
    29er | Black | 32/32 | Shimano

    On-One Reet'ard Trail Wheelset 29 Inch
    Black | 32F32R | Shimano/SRAM
    + £100.00

    Selcof WHT29 Tubeless MTB Wheelset
    29 Inch | Tubeless | White
    + £50.00

    The tyre offered looks good. It is Continental CycloX-King Folding Tyre, and the review in this website is pretty good. Has anybody used this tyre?


    Thank you so much everybody for your help... if we meet a day by chance, i owe all of you a beer
  • bobley
    bobley Posts: 60
    Well you're the same height as me but its hard to compare inside leg length. Usually you measure inside leg by standing back to a wall and putting a book up against the wall, between your legs and pushing it up all the way, in my case that gives 80cm. Its sounds like you may be similar?

    I ride a 54cm with the seat a long way up, but the standard 90mm stem is too short as I can see the front skewer over the bars. I'm going to buy a 110mm stem tonight and see how it feels. I do like the bike short though as I can twist it around in the muck. Being a short bike I ride with 44cm bars which gives me plenty to swing on. The only downside with the PX is that on SPDs my shoes (size 44) foul the front tyre on turns occasioanlly. I think this may be a consequence of the CX "fit"???

    My road bike is a Boardman Team 56cm but on that I reduced the stem from 120mm to 90mm and a recent bike fit suggested that I could've got a 53cm (hence buying the 54cm PX). I think if you want to use it as an alrounder I'd go large with a 90mm stem like my Boardman. In that case I'd go 42 on the bars unless you've got monster shoulders (again, my Boardman came with 44cm but they didn't tally with my shoulders so I dropped to 42).

    To be honest I'm not sure if a CX should be fitted like a road bike. I figure not, otherwise the frames would be the same geo. Hmm, I'm not coming to any conclusion there but I hope it gives you something to think about. If you're anywhere near Northampton you're welcome to come try my bike (or in Welwyn next Sunday).
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Thank you for the info and for the offer, very kind from you :)

    Testing the bike wouldnt tell me anything as every bike i ride i would say is fantastic compared to the falcon, thats the problem, hehe. Anyway, im based in Milton Keynes, so maybe we can do some miles on a weekend

    Im starting to get crazy, reading that carbon frames are not recommended as those can break easily, so maybe i turn again to aluminium frame

    I have seen a merida cyclo cross 4, cube cross race 2014, pinnacle arkose three, boardman cx team... still lost on what to buy
  • PuttyKnees
    PuttyKnees Posts: 381
    I can't make up my mind if this is some kind of joke. Carbon is fine.
  • antsmithmk
    antsmithmk Posts: 717
    I'm in MK and have the cheaper of the two Boarbman CX bikes for racing. Its fine!
  • javidr
    javidr Posts: 139
    Well... im not going to buy the planet x, as it doesnt have a good customer service. I can read only bad reviews about them

    So, this is what i have:

    Giant TCX (not in stock till end of february)
    Cannondale CAADX Disc 5 105 2014 (it has 46-36 and 12-28, i would like a bit more of power)
    Merida Cyclo Cross 4 2014 (same thing as the cannondale)
    Norco Threshold A1 2014 (it has everything i want, it is just an unknown brand for me...)
    Cube CROSS RACE 2014 (same thing as cannondale)


    I think the Norco is the one that fits better... has anybody ever tested this one?

    Thanks

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