Help a roadie make a short list please.

Dippydog2
Dippydog2 Posts: 291
edited August 2014 in Cyclocross
My road bikes can take an absolute maximum of 25mm tyres, and as the clearance is so small I am thinking of a cyclocross bike that I can use for winter and the numerous cycle paths that we have locally. These are generally gritty, puddly, and a little bumpy, but not deep mud or rutted in any way.

I want something that can take up to say around 32mm tyres, could be used for Sportives like the Wiggle Fallen Leaves and when it's so cold that even I refuse to ride, I can swap out the rear wheel and load it onto my turbo. So, not too different geometry from my road bike which is a Time Fluidity 55.

I do know that I want disc brakes, but apart from that I am open to options and opinions.

I would like to know what you think I should put on my long list for consideration. No real budget restrictions at this point. I shall introduce those before short listing and discussing the project with the purse holder!

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Hard to see past Planet-X in the value for money stakes - you'll find little to fault for just over a grand. As it's an all-conditions bike, then discs are a no-brainer. Less sure about the need for 'road' geometry as the fatter tyres need more clearances, and you want something a little more stable if venturing offroad.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • djp66
    djp66 Posts: 115
    Do you want to able to fit mudguards for the winter? This was the biggest issue when I was considering what bike to build/buy. Lots of great bikes out there but I want to be able to press mine into service for a bit of light touring as well as winter duties and therefore eyelets were a must.

    In which case you could think about a Rose Cross DX, this is supplied with 33c/35c tyres, has disc brakes, eyelets for guards/rack, their bike builder allows you to customise the build and they offer 105/Ultegra/Di2/Sram Force 22 setups.

    I'll be able to give you a first hand opinion in 3 weeks when mine arrives :lol:http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-3000-2014

    Another option is the Kinesis Crosslight Pro 6, can be bought as just a frameset as well. Although you don't get the same build customisation options, the std dealer build is based on 105.
  • Dippydog2
    Dippydog2 Posts: 291
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Hard to see past Planet-X in the value for money stakes - you'll find little to fault for just over a grand. As it's an all-conditions bike, then discs are a no-brainer. Less sure about the need for 'road' geometry as the fatter tyres need more clearances, and you want something a little more stable if venturing offroad.
    Thanks. I had a quick look at that online. Their website seems to have very few pictures and not much spec detail.

    Is this all they will tell you?
    http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/cyclocross-bikes
  • Dippydog2
    Dippydog2 Posts: 291
    I think I have found an excellent solution. For me anyway.

    http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/specia ... -bike.html
  • antsmithmk
    antsmithmk Posts: 717
    Dippydog2 wrote:
    I think I have found an excellent solution. For me anyway.

    http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/specia ... -bike.html

    3000 on a bike your going to take through mud..... Not likely.

    You'll be crying when you hit a bare root and then the deck!
  • Dippydog2
    Dippydog2 Posts: 291
    antsmithmk wrote:
    Dippydog2 wrote:
    I think I have found an excellent solution. For me anyway.

    http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/specia ... -bike.html

    3000 on a bike your going to take through mud..... Not likely.

    You'll be crying when you hit a bare root and then the deck!

    There are lots of mountain bike riders who would consider £3k as entry level and they crash a lot.

    If I was going that route I have always fancied a Yeti. Matches my car and costs almost as much!

    Mud is unavoidable. It's a winter bike anyway, and I am not planning serious off-road. More just cinder and gravel track where I can't take my nice summer road bike with it's very tight wheel clearance, a shiny white frame and carbon wheels with caliper brakes.

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