All-Purpose Steed: CX, Enduro, Gravel?

Big_Jack

Hi all, hoping to get a bit of advice as I am spoilt for choice / in a rut regarding my next bike. First things first, for full disclosure, I should let you know (on the road section of BikeRadar) that i'm a MTBer primarily. My road bike is generally a training tool for me, I won't ever race it and i'd like to turn it into a commuter too (25 miles each way) as well as being functional over the occasional long distance / mile munching few days.

My commute is mostly road but with some cycle track too (the Phoenix trail for anyone local to Bucks). It'd be nice to have some minor offroad ability in the bike to dive through some shortcuts, although I stick to my MTB for most of my offroad fixes.

With this in mind, I am at a complete loss between the bike options out there. CX, Adventure, Gravel, All-Road? It leaves me with a bit of a headache to be honest. My only real criteria are disc brakes (controversial :roll: ) and at least 25mm tyre clearance, preferably 28+.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zenium-sl-disc-bike-superlight-105-2017/rp-prod146535 caught my eye, but I can't really tell if this is race geo or relaxed etc.

All input welcome! Currently riding a CAAD 8.

Cheers,

Jack

meanredspider

Many CX bikes have slightly different geometry (higher BB) and different chainset. That's fine if it suits you - just be aware of it.

Ultimately, each bike is subtly different across a continuum - what they are called doesn't matter too much.

Big_Jack

Cheers both for the replies! I suppose on reflection I'll ride any bike in terms of BB height etc, I think the CX ruggedness / all-round potential appeals to me, but are they much slower on the road compared to something like my CAAD8?

The Giant looks nice! It's a bit heavier than a few of them, but i'll add it to the list Cheers for the input!

arlowood

A quick trawl of the Rutland website also throws up this cut price bargain

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/374135/p ... -blue.aspx

Carbon frame, 105 5800 11-speed, Shimano hydraulic brakes, mudguard mounts, will take up to 33mm tyres and still have room for guards if you want them.

What's not to like with a discounted price of £1800 and the capability of road and "rough stuff" riding

The Datum 30 gets a great review here - basically the same bike but with Ultegra Di2 instead of mechanical 105 5800

http://road.cc/content/review/161471-genesis-datum-30

gweeds

You could do worse than a Giant Defy as well