Cylclocross or Road Bike

anish24
anish24 Posts: 11
edited July 2014 in Commuting general
Hi guys

going to get a bike on my cyclescheme at work - not sure what kind of bike to get though i'm torn between a cyclocross and a road bike.

I've found these to bikes at a shop that offer the cyclescheme:

SPECIALIZED Tricross (CX) £750 - http://www.mailordercycles.com/m1b0s23p ... cross_2014

SPECIALIZED Allez £600 (Road) - http://www.mailordercycles.com/m1b0s6p2 ... Allez_2014

I'll be using the bike to commute to work and leisure on the weekend maybe to my park where the terrain is a bit mixed so was thinking is the cyclocross the best option for me? And is the models any good?

Cheers

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Tricross isn't really a cyclocross bike, but makes a good commuting option, more of a Sportiff/Audax/touring bike.

    It depends what you want, a Full on road bike will be a bit lighter and a little more compact, a Cyclocross/audax/touring bike will be a little more relaxed and usually have mountings for rack and guards plus be able to take slightly larger (comfier) wheels and tyres. the choice is a very personal one, but (for example) if you don't need to carry anything and never will cycle when it's wet you don't need rack and guards.......the other benefit of a 'real' cyclocross bike (or some of the other options) is it will have disc brakes which can be handy if you suddenly need to make an emergency stop when your rims are wet!
    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.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    The Rookie wrote:
    The Tricross isn't really a cyclocross bike, but makes a good commuting option, more of a Sportiff/Audax/touring bike.
    Although if you put on knobbly tyres it's also good at trails even with a trailer on ...

    I wouldn't race the Tricross in a CX race (well, I would if I was going to just try one out - but not seriously) but otherwise it's as good as any other multi-use bike.

    I have a second wheelset so I can change between road slicks and knobbly tyres quickly.
  • anish24
    anish24 Posts: 11
    hmmm think i may go for a roadbike then - are there any roadbikes that come with disc brakes?
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    Yes, increasingly so, just a few kinks to be ironed out, it'll be standard on road bikes by 2020.

    I have one of these: http://www.mailordercycles.com/m1b0s6p2 ... mpact_2013

    I upgraded to Parabox Hydraulic brakes when the calipers seized up (after ~8000miles of use/abuse).

    The Fuji Sportif range is better value.

    More road & disc options here
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    That's a nice bike. Do you use that for the likes of the Derwent Walk or something else?
  • mrkev83
    mrkev83 Posts: 184
    Highly recommend the Fuji sportif 1.1
    http://www.strava.com/athletes/mrkev83

    Built for comfort... Not for speed
  • drummer_boy
    drummer_boy Posts: 236
    I went through this decision process last year, and ended up with a PlanetX CX bike.

    My commute is half road half towpath, so the bike is perfect for me.

    Since then me and the missus have joined a bike club and I am doing a lot more pure road work, so am looking for a more road bike. I currently swap tyres on the CX depending on what I am doing.

    I also am looking at the Fuji Sportive, and want to keep my disc brakes, as I love them!!

    I might just spend some money on a good 2nd set of wheel for pure road use though!!

    Still trying to make that decision.

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