First bike

mikey2341

Hi All,

I'm in the market for my first CX bike to start having a go at CX racing and doing a bit of the adventure cross sportive type events over the winter.

What should I be looking at in the price region of £650 / £750 ? I had originally looked at the boardman cx team ( can get this for £650), but have read it's not great for CX races? I plan on having a bash at races in the north west, mainly for done fun and to keep my fitness up for time trialling through the summer. I've seen the Giant SLX 2 for £850, if this is way better than everything else below 750 at a push I could stretch to that.

All suggestions welcome!

FransJacques

Dude, there's much more out there besides the Big 3+1. Always go for some pedigree if you can.

http://www.zepnat.com/component/page,sh ... Itemid,48/

Ok, not obvious cross pedigree but they are dutch and the pictures look good: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 59214.html

Lighter version: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 64705.html

Genesis Vapour is just a sano bike: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... wgodB2sA4Q I have actually seen people race them.

I've seen people race the Boardman too (and well) but why not see the ones above and evaluate for yourself.

Good luck.

mikey2341

FransJacques wrote:

Dude, there's much more out there besides the Big 3+1. Always go for some pedigree if you can.

http://www.zepnat.com/component/page,sh ... Itemid,48/

Ok, not obvious cross pedigree but they are dutch and the pictures look good: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 59214.html

Lighter version: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 64705.html

Genesis Vapour is just a sano bike: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... wgodB2sA4Q I have actually seen people race them.

I've seen people race the Boardman too (and well) but why not see the ones above and evaluate for yourself.

Good luck.

This is a great help, thanks! Should I be looking at disk brakes / or the ability to upgrade to disks?

Paul 8v

You don't need discs for racing but if you plan on doing a lot of off road on it I would reccomend it. I tried riding the red route at the forest of Dean on my cani bike and I couldn't actually stop the thing going down hills in the wet!

During racing you generally aren't going fast enough on most of the courses for it to make a difference and they add weight (And cost)

mikey2341

Paul 8v wrote:

You don't need discs for racing but if you plan on doing a lot of off road on it I would reccomend it. I tried riding the red route at the forest of Dean on my cani bike and I couldn't actually stop the thing going down hills in the wet!

During racing you generally aren't going fast enough on most of the courses for it to make a difference and they add weight (And cost)

I fancy having a go at the adventure cross sportive things as well, so quite like the idea of disks, if the budget can stretch to a viable bike, from what I have read a lot of the entry level disks a re poor?

How does this look as an option? It can be had for £850 by shopping around

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec055503

Apparently it was ridden to victory (well 2013 model was) in the 3 peaks by the womens winner? That kind of pedigree sounds good to me! I know its the engine that counts, but it must be fairly suitable then?

antsmithmk

Do your homework.... I bought a Boardman Comp CX and have prob now spent the same again upgrading it! Buy once, buy decent!

GGBiker

mikey2341 wrote:

FransJacques wrote:

Dude, there's much more out there besides the Big 3+1. Always go for some pedigree if you can.

http://www.zepnat.com/component/page,sh ... Itemid,48/

Ok, not obvious cross pedigree but they are dutch and the pictures look good: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 59214.html

Lighter version: http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-fermo ... 64705.html

Genesis Vapour is just a sano bike: http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... wgodB2sA4Q I have actually seen people race them.

I've seen people race the Boardman too (and well) but why not see the ones above and evaluate for yourself.

Good luck.

This is a great help, thanks! Should I be looking at disk brakes / or the ability to upgrade to disks?

Do you mind me asking what is a "sano bike", is this some street lingo or a typo??

mikey2341

Just to update the this, I ended up going for this : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-rx-comp ... apex-2014/

So far so good, it arrived today, not had a proper ride yet, but very pleased with it!

Just need shoes and bits now! Am I right in thinking I want shoes with a decent tread for when I'm running with the bike?

Paul 8v

Yeah, shoes with grip are a must so mountain bike ones are OK but for ultimate grip North wave do a cross "boot" called a Hammer. http://cycletechreview.com/2013/cyclocr ... -review/2/

Something like that would be great for running sections and is what I will buy when my MTB shoes give up the ghost

voodooman

I bought these (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/diad ... -prod55914) a few weeks ago as my old shoes died an honourable death. Come with spikes to be added up front and are v comfy. Helps that I have massive feet so partook of the v nice discount.