Cube X race v Ridley X-night 10

ddraver

Hi Guys

I appreciate I'm close to spamming the forum with questions but you r replies are very helpful.

I have narrowed down my options to the Cube X-Race or the Ridley X-night. Now I read a lot that the Ridley has "weird" geometry and all that and that sizing is interesting, but given that I live in (or close to) their heartland I should be able to find one to sit on.

The next question, is is the geometry really that "far out"? They make no concessions to the gravel bike trend I accept but is that a big deal?

Use is to be for 'Cross training (and when I get come confidence a bit of racing) and as a winter road bike for Dutch Bike paths. Not fussed about 'guards, rack mounts 50:50...

trek_dan

Isn't the X-Race a racing frameset with low headtube and high BB etc. Seems a bit overkill for pootling around the lanes. I'd go and try one first.

ddraver

No lanes to pootle around here Dan - but thanks, I'm trying to find one to have a sit on...

LeePaton

I have tried 3 sizes of Ridley and found none that fit. Well the probably 52 did but by then i was probably already ignoring them. They are proper good bikes however everyone i tried was a complete weapon, really wish I had got on with the X-Night Di2 Hydro all singing one as it was rapid.

Find one that fits you'll love it I think.

Cube no idea, never seen a top racer, or any racer actually, on one so that puts me off them right away. As a rule of thumb whatever the top local amatuers are on is a great bike for your local races etc.

Thats always where I start then i just ignore it and buy the shiniest best deal I can.

LeePaton

I have come to the conclusion you should get a Boone. Wish I had.

ddraver

Thanks Lee, will find a Ridley

Need a bigger tax rebate for a Boone I'm afraid

ddraver

hmmm, interesting, Just ridden a (2015) X-night which was the girls' at the club. which I would guess is the rigth size (52, and I'm 173cm) I see what people mean by short and high...even the standover was a bit of an issue!

Admitadly it wasnt helped by the fact that I'd just hopped off a 29er MTB and that she her saddle was way too high but still

LeePaton

Pssssst I think a 52 was right for me at 180cm and I am all legs.

ddraver

...that's true - the website would suggest a 50cm for me

I'd need a flipping tiller on there - how the hell is that a 530mm top tube?!?!?

hmmmm

LeePaton

try a 50. Then see how you feel.

If everyone uses them they must be doing something right eh?

ddraver

You'd hope - Older dutch cyclists follow the backward looking trend a lot though

(Edit - And apologies for some terrible writing up-thread)

ddraver

I worked out last night that the Ridley is more aggressive (shorter head tube) than my Cineeli Track fixie...

trek_dan

My friend has the older Canti model and it is very aggressive. The TT is also really high to the high BB and low front end.
Not went full circle back to something like a Synapse or Boone yet?

ddraver

CAADX would be good but the only hydraulic dis model is the CAADX, I ll add it to the list as I think the bike shop I have planned carries 'dale too

The boone models are all simply too much

trek_dan

I was in one of my LBS's yesterday and they have Boone's reduced to £1800. Not sure what the prices are like elsewhere (exchange rate etc) but I don't think I've seen that model reduced anywhere else yet. P.S it was pretty stunning.

http://www.kbcycles.com/product/bikes/cyclocross-bikes/boone-5-disc-2464000/

ddraver

I think it must be an exchange rate thing. They seem to be insanely over priced in Euros....

I might ask your shop how they feel about sending a bike to NL though :P

trek_dan

Day trip over? You can get the ferry from Amsterdam direct to North Shields which is about 45 minutes drive down the river from the shop in the link.

ddraver

Yes I did think of that - could you train it from the port to the shop, then ride back? 0:-)

trek_dan

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19754473#p19754473]ddraver[/url] wrote:

Yes I did think of that - could you train it from the port to the shop, then ride back? 0:-)

Yes you've got about a 15 minute walk from the port to get on the 'Metro' system that gets you to Newcastle city centre. You'd then need to get a bus or taxi down to Newburn as there's no rail system along to there.

Then if you collect the bike you can ride pretty much fully off-road on the famous Coast 2 Coast route along the river and back to the port.

ddraver

(they could just post it to my parents I guess...)

This is getting dangerously close to actually happening... :oops:

LeePaton

Okay I might have a boone real soon.

ddraver

Having had a nother look I'm thinking I may need the size 50, which is out of stock...

Booooo

ddraver

3 days of trying to find a trek to size test and emailing back and forth and I give them the go ahead and they tell me that they can only do click and collect after all

You can't play with a man's heart like that bitches!

Screw it I'm just going to swallow my anti SRAM pride and get the Planet X

LeePaton

That's a bad idea.

Get the boone whatever it takes.

ddraver

hmmm, reality has to kick in at some point though

dish_dash

The boone is lovely...

ddraver

Have you got one dish?

dish_dash

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19757012#p19757012]ddraver[/url] wrote:

Have you got one dish?

yup, no regrets 8)

ddraver

Cornwall - Newcastle = 7hrs drive? IS that right?

Doesnt sound long enough...

LeePaton

Boone Boone Boone.

You thought about TCXs?

ddraver

DONT THROW ANOTHER ONE IN!!!!!!

(Same problem as the Boone, out of budget for what I want)