New CX Recommendations..

evodeda

Hi,
I'm looking to getting a CX / Gravel bike. Mainly to be used on single track, possibly the odd CX race. Basically looking for a bike that can take me on the road, woods, tow paths..

I'm looking at about the £2k price bracket.. Was considering ...

Planet X XLS
https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/cyc ... -bikes/xls

Viner Super Prestige
https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/cyc ... r-prestige

Boardman CXR 9.4
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2017.html

Cube C62
https://www.evanscycles.com/cube-cross- ... e-EV319202

I can't decide between 1x11 or 2x11. I was initially looking at the single chainring but I'm thinking it might limit me a little on range. I have a 29er with a 10-42 that works quite well but I'd need a XD driver and I don't think the wheels that come with these bike would have that option.

Another question is if its possible to run 11 speed XT Rear on Ultegra shifters. I've read the cable pull is different but can't find where this has come from.

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

fat daddy

you won't be lacking on range ...... you will be lacking on the small jumps between gears ... for me this is not an issue on anything other than my road bike where I "need" the small sums to be able to keep pace on a club ride and the 1 tooth difference when you are riding at tempo makes all the difference to the comfort of your ride,

If I amon my own OR off road having bigger jump between some of the gears just isn't noticeable, I'll pedal at a cadence thats comfortable to the gear ... I might going 0.25mh slower .. but who cares I am not trying to stay on someones wheel

tgotb

I'm a huge fan of single-ring (1x10 in my case) but my commuting bike (built around a CX frame) is 2x10 because I find the bigger gaps between gears annoying on the road; if you're going to be doing a lot of road riding and don't like big gaps between gears, my suggestion would be to consider 2x11.

I'm also a big fan of the XLS (2 bikes plus a spare frame), but I haven't ridden the others, so can't comment on those. It doesn't have mudguard/rack eyes, if that's an issue; for that reason my commuting bike is built around a different frame (albeit with the same geometry).

evodeda

Cheers guys, very true!

I guess single track / CX is completely different in that respect to holding onto a wheel! I did a couple of XC races on my 1x11 29er and don't remember thinking about gears.. more about survival of the fittest!

Maybe I'll stick with the 1x options. A friend of mine has the XLS and loves it, I would be tempted but it's nice to have something different.

I'm not bothered about mud guards etc, this bike is for blasting on the winter trails, possible an CX race as I've never done one and general tow paths, forest trails etc all mixed in with some roads.. maybe i should stick with my 29er... but N+1!

Cube do a Cross Race C62 SL with Sram Force 1

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/ro ... gLdOvD_BwE

It's slightly over my price point but has a nice spec and looks great! Not many reviews on this though!

joey54321

I love my 1x cross bike.

I'd by the boardman (and was very close) put picked up a Focus Mares second hand