CAADX vs Mustang vs CX Team

kostasls
kostasls Posts: 8
edited May 2016 in Cyclocross
Hi everyone,

I am planning to get my first cyclocross bike this week. I haven't been cycling for almost 5 years and before that I had a MTB.

I will be using the bike for my weekly commuting and for off road time during the weekends. I believe for my use cyclocross is my best option.

After reading many reviews and posts I narrowed them down to the following three bikes.

My first pick would be the CAADX Tiagra 2016 which I can get for around £720.
I have seen many complaints about the Promax Render R brakes so I am planning, if I am not happy with them, to change to TRP Hy/RD. Doing that the price will come up to around £900.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Caad ... _79895.htm

My second option would be Raleigh Mustang Elite 2016 which is listed for £1K. It comes with TRP Hy/RD brakes. Also, it has SRAM Rival 1 groupset which I found nice during a test ride.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Mustang ... _83532.htm

The last bike I am considering is the Boardman CX Team 2016 for about £900.
It comes with SRAM Rival 1 groupset plus SRAM Rival Hydraulic brakes.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... -team-bike

Based on frame quality alone, how would you order them :?:
Any recommendations on which is best option :?:

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    The Boardman seems the better deal, if you can live with an 1 x 11 chainset... it's ideal for off road, less so if you do a lot on the road... that said, if you only commute with it, it's probably perfect
    left the forum March 2023
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    I have the CAADX Tiagra, and think the brakes are fine. But I'm light and used to road brake callipers that get poor reviews so it's not a surprise!
    The BB is annoying though- it's done around 700 miles now and creaks to high heaven. Just waiting for payday to investin in the tools needed to strip and clean the thing.

    Other than that I think it's great, but then most of the bikes here would probably do just as good a job.
  • kostasls
    kostasls Posts: 8
    @ugo.santalucia
    I think I can get used to a 1x11chainset and the components on Boardman are better. But I have heard the frame is not that great and I like the painting of CAADX Tiagra.

    @iron-clover
    I read your review and it is very informative.
    I am also very light! 5ft 8in (172cm) and a bit over 9 stones (about 60kgs)

    The BB is already that annoying? Thats a disappointment.

    Indeed most of the bikes would probably do a good job but I like the paint job of the CAADX.
  • the_rover
    the_rover Posts: 402
    I've got the c/dale tiagra in the same colour and thought the brakes were rubbish so upgraded them. Overall though it's brilliant, in fact if I could only have one bike then it'd be the Dale.

    Edit - touch wood but no issues so far with the BB.
  • kostasls
    kostasls Posts: 8
    Thanks Rover for your input!
    How many miles you have on your caadx?
    It seems most people get the issues with BB at around 700miles.

    Any one know about this Praxis convertion solution?
    Looks to work nicely
    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/pro ... ter-125639
  • the_rover
    the_rover Posts: 402
    kostasls wrote:
    Thanks Rover for your input!
    How many miles you have on your caadx?
    It seems most people get the issues with BB at around 700miles.

    Any one know about this Praxis convertion solution?
    Looks to work nicely
    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/pro ... ter-125639

    Strangely enough about 700! I'll expect to hear some creaking and groaning the next time I use it!
  • kostasls
    kostasls Posts: 8
    The Rover wrote:

    Strangely enough about 700! I'll expect to hear some creaking and groaning the next time I use it!

    haha I hope you will not hear any creaking sounds for at least 700 miles more!
  • iron-clover
    iron-clover Posts: 737
    To be fair, I like the Caad enough that the BB is something I'm happy to live with. At some point I *might* try one of the different BB options such as BSA converter, but not fussed enough to go through all the hassle yet.

    Unfortunately I had my fist bad experience with the brakes this morning though- they suffered really badly in the torrential conditions where normally they are fine. I'll probably upgrade the front calliper relatively soon and see how it goes.
  • kostasls
    kostasls Posts: 8
    The one thing I was very disappointed since my test ride were the brakes in the CAADX. However, I had almost set my mind to get the CAADX and change to TRP.

    Today I am leaning towards Boardman. It seems I can get it for £800, which I believe is a great deal for SRAM Rival X1 and hydro brakes.

    I guess I will go for another test ride the coming weekend and make up my mind.

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