Cyclocross as a winter road bike

wytco0
wytco0 Posts: 79
edited May 2014 in Cyclocross
Hi I have decided to get a second bike that I will mainly use during the winter and also to ride on some tracks, not rough tracks certainly not mountain bike type tracks mainly farm tracks etc.

I originally thought I would have to get a Mountain Bike but it would mainly be wasted as I am not going to do that sort or riding.

Can CX bikes take mudguards? in the winter and when its wet I will be using it mainly as a road bike so guards would be nice especially if I ride with other people.

Budget will probably be 1-1.5k so recommendations appreciated.

Comments

  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Plenty of bikes around £1k can take guards. I was looking at Boardman CX Team but there aren't no mounts on the forks. Go for canti brakes and your choice will be higher than my disc/guard/rack search criteria.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • antsmithmk
    antsmithmk Posts: 717
    I have a Boardman Comp as my winter bike
  • loismustdie
    loismustdie Posts: 127
    I have a Jamis Nova Race for winter use. Discs are the main bonus, it can also take mudguards. It's also got the added bonus that I can put knobblies on it in the summer and do most of the trails I used to ride when mtb-ing.

    All in all for £800, it's probably one of the best bike related purchases I've made.
  • crvfr
    crvfr Posts: 23
    I've got a Cube Cross Race Disc for my bad weather bike. Had the Cube mudguards fitted from new & it rides almost as well as my Cube Peleton Pro on the road, even with knobbly tyres fitted!
  • DCDB
    DCDB Posts: 27
    I am waiting on a Giant TCX SLR2. £999 with Shimano 105, mudguard and rack mounts, mech disc brakes. I have similar plans to the OP for use.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    My Kinesis has disc brakes and also has rack and guard mounts. Quite a lot of CX bikes do now as they are used as all purpose machines by a lot of people, myself included. With the approriate tyres they can do most things asked of them.
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    My 2011 Tricross was advertised with guard mounting points - checked the pictures and everything - but once I bought it and got it home I found that whilst the rear was ok, the front had a fork change (Specialized recall on the original ones) and the replacement didn't have any mounting points.
    I put some tape around the forks and used the Crud RR2 mounting system to give me an eye on each side at the front - then fitted some solid guards ...
    I would've used a p-braket but the forks are carbon and not round.
  • Kimble
    Kimble Posts: 53
    I use a Boardman team CX (with BB&'s upgrade) as my commuter with SKS velo urban 42 mudguards on and 25mm Gatorskins. does the job really well and mudguards / tyres can quickly be removed/changed for dry days / CX races. for 1.5k you could probably afford the Boardman CX pro.
  • wytco0
    wytco0 Posts: 79
    Thanks for the ideas the Boardman CX Pro looks very nice. Looks as though not many place sell them though and I want to make sure I get a good fit.
  • wytco0
    wytco0 Posts: 79
    Hello again, well I decided that the Boardman was the bike for me, made an appointment to see the nice Boardman Elite dealer and then discovered that they don't make a bike that I can fit!

    I am short 5 ft 4 in (163cm) with Inside leg 28 (74cm).

    Since then I have contacted specialised as they make smaller CX bikes but they don't seem to sell them in the UK, they couldn't be bothered to return my emails, and Rose who quickly replied confirming they don't make anything that would fit me.

    Looks at lots of manufacturers geometry charts and they all seem to be big for me.

    So does anyone have any recommendations for a Decent CX bike for a short fat guy? I ride a 48cm Cannondale Synapse 105 as my road bike.

    Thanks
  • devhads
    devhads Posts: 236
    These guys do a 48cm cross bike, takes mudguards and racks but has a good race geometry

    http://worxbikes.com/product/ca-apex/

    I bought a frame and built it up myself. They only sell direct so depending where you are throwing a leg over one may be difficult. If you contact them they will give you good detailed geometry.
  • aberdeenal
    aberdeenal Posts: 200
    I have a 2014 Genesis Croix de Fer which I use from October through to March (not all the time I may add!) and it's great - stuck Conti 4 Season 28's and mudguards on it - works a treat especially with disc brakes.