First CX - whittled down to a couple of options ...

Jonny79

Hi Folks

Having been accepted onto the Cycle2Work scheme, I've got a budget of £1000 to replace an ancient CB MTB. I haven't cycled in years and want to improve fitness, which I intend to do with some road use but mainly (not knarly) trails and cross-country.

I had been looking at the Boardman CX Team, though I'm really put off by the look of it (ridiculous of me, I'm sure). Having spent many, many hours reading reviews, I've got the selection down to Cannondale's CAADX Tiagra 2017: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-CAADX-Tiagra-2017-Cyclocross-Bike_96372.htm

and Cube's Cross Race Cyclocross Bike 2017: http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/110479/products/cube-cross-race-cyclocross-bike-2017-black-white.aspx

Having trawled hundreds of reviews, I can't find any on this Cube model, though it has 105 and Tektro Spyre brakes, which seem to impress more than the Promax Render R used on the Cannondale.

Any comments/suggestions will be very welcome!

Cheers

Jon

964cup

Have a look at the Felt F65x as well. I have an F3X and love it (obviously not directly comparable, but same geometry etc).

Jterrier

look around and you will prbably get a 2016 caadx Ultegra for about a grand (try PedalOn in tadley). Otherwise get the cube as the spec is better at that price. By miles.

Jonny79

964Cup wrote:

Have a look at the Felt F65x as well. I have an F3X and love it (obviously not directly comparable, but same geometry etc).

Thanks 964Cup, it looks like a great bike but coming in at £99 over the £1000 threshold, it's out of reach as the scheme doesn't allow for topping up, which is a shame.

Jonny79

Jterrier wrote:

look around and you will prbably get a 2016 caadx Ultegra for about a grand (try PedalOn in tadley). Otherwise get the cube as the spec is better at that price. By miles.

Hmm, now this would have been great, as they do have the Ultegra on sale, though when the bike is with a non-Halfords supplier, the RRP is used, so unfortunately the £1499 applies and is well beyond the £1k limit. Looks like I'll be going with the Cube (they only had one 58 left in current stock, so hoping to have it sewn up tomorrow.

Thanks for the input.

Mototarka

If only Cannondale and Cube is in your choice - check Pinncle Arkose range in EvansCycles. Cannondale has developed a very light and technical frame, but everything around it is cutting corners to save cost - cheap chainset, horrible brakes, horrible Maddux rims, etc... Cube is not a bad offer too, just a bit heavy and 11speed doesn't like mud...

Jonny79

Mototarka wrote:

If only Cannondale and Cube is in your choice - check Pinncle Arkose range in EvansCycles. Cannondale has developed a very light and technical frame, but everything around it is cutting corners to save cost - cheap chainset, horrible brakes, horrible Maddux rims, etc... Cube is not a bad offer too, just a bit heavy and 11speed doesn't like mud...

Thanks Mototarka. I had enquired about Pinnacle, though Evans isn't on the list of approved suppliers, so had to shelve that idea. The Cube is definitely my preferred choice at the moment, and if Halfords get back to me today with a revised Letter of Collection allowing me to use another provider, I'll go ahead and place the order today.

I'm 6'1" and wobble around 14-14.5 stone, so an extra kilo here or there is unlikely to be an issue for me. A gear mech caked in mud, on the other hand ...

keith_freel

You can get last years caad x 105 for £900 on Evans at the minute, or how about this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s194p6 ... SLR-1-2016

Jonny79

keith_freel wrote:

You can get last years caad x 105 for £900 on Evans at the minute, or how about this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s194p6 ... SLR-1-2016

Thanks Keith. I can't use Evans due to the C2W limitations, and the Giant can't make it onto the list as again it's not from a supplier on the approved list, notwithstanding that it's only available in smaller frame sizes and I'd have to pay the RRP - discounted/sale prices aren't honored under the scheme (unless offered by Halfords - the main provider of bikes under C2W).

keith_freel

You should be a able to add to the cost yourself ( was when I used C2W) if thats the case then 105 Caadx would be the winner for the sake of £100

The limited choice is a pity because for £1000 you could get a cracking planet x cross bike

bendertherobot

Tell you what, the CAADX is properly properly good.

Jonny79

keith_freel wrote:

You should be a able to add to the cost yourself ( was when I used C2W) if thats the case then 105 Caadx would be the winner for the sake of £100

The limited choice is a pity because for £1000 you could get a cracking planet x cross bike

Cheers Keith, though I can't add to the pot; the reason behind it being that it would muddy the water as to who owns the bike - under the current scheme, my company pays the seller £1000, and I'm technically renting it from my employer for 12 months, after which it is mine.

The Planet X bikes do look good, though not for me this time around ...

Jonny79

bendertherobot wrote:

Tell you what, the CAADX is properly properly good.

It would have to be this that I go for: http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/107654/products/cannondale-caadx-tiagra-cyclocross-bike-2017-acid-green-black.aspx and I'd choose the Cube over this in terms of spec.

It has been so long since I've cycled more than the odd trip to the shops, on a lump of an old MTB, anything is going to be a stark improvement!

Mototarka

CAADX is good when bottom bracket is still new and you change wheels into something that can last more than one ride without buckling...

bendertherobot

I find the stock wheels nice, but very heavy. My BB is still fine, as is the SuperX. And they've been through quite a lot of crap so far! But yes, bb can be an issue.

Jonny79

bendertherobot wrote:

I find the stock wheels nice, but very heavy. My BB is still fine, as is the SuperX. And they've been through quite a lot of crap so far! But yes, bb can be an issue.

What's the deal with the BB? Can it be replaced with an alternative, more hard-wearing option without too much faff? I've read a lot about 'creaking' PF30 BBs used on other bikes ...

skyblue337

FWIW the CAADX tiagra looks fabulous in the flesh. Worth seeing if you can

bendertherobot

Jonny79 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

I find the stock wheels nice, but very heavy. My BB is still fine, as is the SuperX. And they've been through quite a lot of crap so far! But yes, bb can be an issue.

What's the deal with the BB? Can it be replaced with an alternative, more hard-wearing option without too much faff? I've read a lot about 'creaking' PF30 BBs used on other bikes ...

BB30 which are hit and miss and, the internet says, especially so with Cannondale. I have 3 BB30's mind and all appear ok at the moment.

But, yes, replace them with a Praxis and fit what you want! https://www.praxiscycles.com/conversion-bb/

Jonny79

bendertherobot wrote:

Jonny79 wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

I find the stock wheels nice, but very heavy. My BB is still fine, as is the SuperX. And they've been through quite a lot of crap so far! But yes, bb can be an issue.

What's the deal with the BB? Can it be replaced with an alternative, more hard-wearing option without too much faff? I've read a lot about 'creaking' PF30 BBs used on other bikes ...

BB30 which are hit and miss and, the internet says, especially so with Cannondale. I have 3 BB30's mind and all appear ok at the moment.

But, yes, replace them with a Praxis and fit what you want! https://www.praxiscycles.com/conversion-bb/

Ah yes, I'd read about the Praxis but have more reading to do if I've any hope of maintaining whatever I end up getting. Speaking of which, I'm throwing another option into the mix: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/revolt.1/25001/90532/

It's by no means pretty, I know, but thoughts compared to the Cube?

Jonny79

Decision made and Cube ordered. Whatever I was looking at, I kept coming back to this one ... Thank you all for your advice, I'll no doubt be back with questions as soon as I've got the stablisers fitted.

MrGrumpy

I bought the hydraulic braked Cube earlier this year , now done a couple of races on it . It no lightweight but changing the wheels out is on my to do list and should shed a kilo if going tubeless . Actually when I first bought this on c2w I was abit meh with it, however it's grown on me and love the bike. One things for sure though if I ever have to sell my bikes and only need a one bike does all, it would be a a CX bike !

Jonny79

MrGrumpy wrote:

I bought the hydraulic braked Cube earlier this year , now done a couple of races on it . It no lightweight but changing the wheels out is on my to do list and should shed a kilo if going tubeless . Actually when I first bought this on c2w I was abit meh with it, however it's grown on me and love the bike. One things for sure though if I ever have to sell my bikes and only need a one bike does all, it would be a a CX bike !

Music to my ears! I am pretty sure I'll be very happy with it and want to take it out the garage - as long as it gets regular outings, I'll be chuffed (and hopefully a few pounds lighter). Cheers, Mr G!