Race Sunday, Commute Monday Bike

N+1 - stick with 2(+) bikes - unless you have alternatives for the commute. The only wheelswap I did/do is on my commute bike - between slicks and studs when it's icy.

I'm probably missing something, but wouldn't it make more sense to get rid of one of the bikes you're not using?
You can get racks that attach to the seatpost with a quick release, they are a bit sh!t and have a high centre of gravity. I was given one by someone that didn't want it, I then gave it to Ugo as I didn't like it or want it. I don't think he got on with it either. Not used clip on full mudguards that are supposedly easy to fit and remove, only used MTB ones that are not very good and only keep some muck off you or proper full mudguards that are a bit of a pain to remove.
When you swap wheels would you swap the cassette as well? The commuting cassette would get a lot more use than the race one so could the chain slip after swapping wheels as the wear between the two gets to extremes? Thinking about it I don't think a worn chain slips on a new cassette so should be alright.

joey54321 wrote:

I wonder if I could attach the mudguards to the rack as opposed to the bike frame. Therefore I'd just need to undo the bolt by the bottom bracket and the two rack bolts to remove both.

With a low slung rack you could probably screw the top of the guard to the middle of the rack using a spacer of some sort.

I have a gazillion sets of disk wheels which I swap between 4 bikes (one of which is my daughter's) without having to make any adjustments; the key is that I built them all on the same model of hub.

If you're removing and re-attaching mudguards and rack every week, I reckon it's only a matter of time before you strip the threads in your frame, so be very careful and consider having a backup plan (ie a frame that would allow you to put a nut on the other side). Using the widest mudguard the frame will take will make it much less fiddly to get them lined up, and also gives you the option of riding with a CX wheel should the need arise.

I have tried commuting and racing on same bike and lasted two weeks before giving in and going n+2. yes you save space but you'll need a spare room to fiddle with the bike twice a week.If you are racing then you have to clean the bike properly on Sunday; Friday and Sunday evenings are wasted; mudguards are a pain to refit and even if settings are unchanged you will have rubbing and lose bits.

If you're not racing then could you leave the rack and guards on? I love mudguards offroad unless full mtb/mudfest.

For cross bike I have compromised with a big saddlebag and carrier by Carradice for occasional use. The Bagman carrier attaches to saddle with a single Allen key and the Super C bag can just carry a change of clothes. It takes 10 seconds to fit/remove. Rather old skool but much less hassle than a rack and easily transferred to any bike. No good if you need twin panniers but great for lunch and a shirt. And it provides some spray protection. But I still prefer my bike with full guards and rack for commuting.

Carradice Bagman + appropriate sized Carradice saddlebag might be a good option actually (though it doesn't address the mudguard issue). I use exactly that if I want to commute on my road bike, and whilst I'm not sure I'd agree that it takes 10 seconds to fit/remove, I reckon it's comfortably under 30 seconds. I generally only use mine on dry days (if it's raining I'll take the bike with mudguards) but I think there might be properly waterproof roll-top bags available.

keep both bikes. cx is hard on bikes and you will have a ropey bike to commute on. A commutor bike that is good at commuting is not going to be great at racing and visa versa.