Another "what bike?" post

Jdon

Hi guys, sorry for another one of these posts but I'm a little stuck on what bike I should buy. I was hoping to get something nice used but seem to be struggling to find the right bike. I want either a 56 or 58 frame. I have kind of narrowed the search down to the following;
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/ ... 25817.html ( I am pretty keen on this)
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSAPE ... cross-bike
The Boardman Cx Pro
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec071032

I am a mountain biker looking to get into cross racing ( done a few on my mtb) but also for commuting and training?
Cheers Joe

ravey1981

Theres not a lot in them spec wise to be honest so buy the one you like the best I would say. These are cracking spec for the money at the moment as another option...

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pr ... aid:772643

Can you test ride any of them?

Barbarossa

Go for the Ridley - they know a lot about cyclocross.
Peter Hargroves knows a lot about cyclocross too.
Are you sure you need such a big frame?

Jdon

Cheers Guys, That Rose really has given me a lot to think about with a ritchey stem and bars with 105 and Mavic ( obviously not mavic's best but). But in answer to your question I am about 5 11 and abit? I do really like the Ridley and they have a huge history in cross racing. I have always had Shimano components on my Mtb's so wouldn't be sure on the Sram anyway so both those options suit me. also that double tap idea sounds weird.

bendertherobot

There's probably more than a bit of a difference spec wise. One of them is carbon, of course. You may find that comfier. One of them has 11-32 at the rear, which is useful. They all have wheels which should be upgraded but one of them might only need a change of spokes (and can run tubeless).

I should say that that one of them is only one of them And it's a bloody great bike full stop. They might not know much about CX but they managed to make a bike which is good off road.

Jdon

That's as cryptic as the times crossword bendertherobot haha. Tubeless has been in the back of my mind as obviously you want low pressures and puncture resistance but not spend millions on tubulars. Can you give me any clues which one your backing??

bendertherobot

Jdon wrote:

That's as cryptic as the times crossword bendertherobot haha. Tubeless has been in the back of my mind as obviously you want low pressures and puncture resistance but not spend millions on tubulars. Can you give me any clues which one your backing??

I have the XLS so I'm biased. But, also, I got it for 20% off. And, at that price, it's way better than the others. At £999 it's definitely a matter of choice etc.

I rate the Carbon frame. It's very comfy and very stiff. Came out of Battle on the Beach 2 1/2 hours later having taken on many MTB's etc, finishing top half and feeling fresh as a daisy. Bike was spot on. Gearing excellent. That said I do have different wheels.

Ugo has the wheels off my XLS and, as has been mentioned a few times, they are a bit dead. A change of spokes, he says, should cure that. But they are strong, good hubs and have rim tape. He says they will run tubeless. So a set of valves and Vittoria XG TNT and you're good to go. You can do that for £60. Bear in mind that every bike mentioned will need better wheels, just depends whether you want to add that expense. So the ability to run tubeless on one is a good thing IMO.

It's true that Ridley get CX but don't assume that the bike is better as a result. The Boardman will be excellent, of course, and you can get 10% off that with BC discount.

And, finally, the Dale will be great.

For me the XLS offers that bit more overall. But that might be because I rate SRAM as well and Apex is perfect for CX.

tgotb

By the time you've bought the spokes and rebuilt the wheels (or paid someone else to rebuild them) I reckon you might aswell build a new pair from scratch and keep the old ones for training; if you really get into racing, you'll want multiple wheelsets anyway, and it's nice to have a separate training set that you're not worried about trashing two days before a big race.

Another XLS owner here (I have two), though I bought the framesets and built them up myself. With the right kit they can come out pretty light, mine are about 7.5kg. I really rate them as race bikes, but I haven't ridden the others.

If you want to mount mudguards and/or pannier rack for commuting, the XLS is out - no mounting points.

bendertherobot

TGOTB wrote:

By the time you've bought the spokes and rebuilt the wheels (or paid someone else to rebuild them) I reckon you might aswell build a new pair from scratch and keep the old ones for training; if you really get into racing, you'll want multiple wheelsets anyway, and it's nice to have a separate training set that you're not worried about trashing two days before a big race.

Another XLS owner here (I have two), though I bought the framesets and built them up myself. With the right kit they can come out pretty light, mine are about 7.5kg. I really rate them as race bikes, but I haven't ridden the others.

If you want to mount mudguards and/or pannier rack for commuting, the XLS is out - no mounting points.

I mostly agree, if you want some spare wheels. But the D light spokes are only 90p each so it's less than £60. Should be easy to do for way less than £100 even getting LBS to do it. Should turn them into very decent wheels. This is theory mind. Ugo hasn't got round to doing it yet.........................

bendertherobot

I forgot to chuck this into the mix.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRI ... -road-bike

Jdon

I really like the look of that Px london road. what are the wheels like you think?? also i imagine i would have to change the 50 to a 46or48 so i wouldnt be over geared for CX?

bendertherobot

Jdon wrote:

I really like the look of that Px london road. what are the wheels like you think?? also i imagine i would have to change the 50 to a 46or48 so i wouldnt be over geared for CX?

The wheels are the same as on the XLS. I good, strong wheels. Bear in mind that all these bikes could do with better wheels. So if you're starting lower RRP then you have a budget for it. But they are fine. Great tyres for commuting as well.

As for gearing. It has 11-32. THat's a fine cassette, most CX will see you in the little ring. So, in effect, you may be under geared. But, I doubt it. I've used my 50/34 with 11-32 all season. I don't stray into the big ring hardly ever. And I've never felt that I'm spinning out.

ai_1

Jdon wrote:

Cheers Guys, That Rose really has given me a lot to think about with a ritchey stem and bars with 105 and Mavic ( obviously not mavic's best but). But in answer to your question I am about 5 11 and abit? I do really like the Ridley and they have a huge history in cross racing. I have always had Shimano components on my Mtb's so wouldn't be sure on the Sram anyway so both those options suit me. also that double tap idea sounds weird.

In case you're not aware: The Rose site allows you customise most bikes. There's a "configurator" that allows you to swap out most of the parts for an alternative component that Rose stocks (which is a lot) and it adjusts the price as appropriate. So you could probably swap the standard wheels with something tubless if you wanted. Much better than buying a bike with wheels you don't want and buying the tubeless ones separately as a separate and additional cost. Generally you can swap saddles, seatposts, tyres, stems, handlebars, cassettes, bar tape, de-railleuirs... pretty much everything! If you get carried away the price may soar but many changes are cost neutral and others are fairly reasonable. It's one of Rose's biggest selling points IMO.