CX or Road for Central London. <£1400

[WuMyster]

So I've been riding MTBs all my life. Terrain was terrible, trails everywhere and I was young and reckless. Now though, I've been using my cheap MTB to commute in central London and love riding over taking public transport.

I have a budget of about £1400 but I honestly can't decide between a CX bike or road bike. It will be my first and while I've had a go on some road bikes (and hated the drop bars / brake system) I can't tell if it is suitable for me.
I'd like an all year round bike only for commuting. Disc brakes are a must. Reason why I'm conflicted is because I'm still slightly "reckless". I'll hop onto pavements, take a canal towpath (not bumpy at all, regents canal) etc.

What I'm looking for really is something faster than my 13.6kg MTB yet comfortable. Any suggestions?

 

[vickster]

Go to Evans and try some bikes. Easy, just need photo ID and a bank card

Ask about mudguard and pannier rack fitting, check bike can take the mudguards as a minimum

You realise it's illegal to ride on pavements as well as reckless

Check out insurance costs for a £1400 bike and keep some budget for good locks

 

[Bonefish Blues]

See bottom of page: http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/new-page/

Might be worth a conversation.

 

[Nibor]

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival-11-bike

 

[simon.r]

Something in between a road and a CX? https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/kona-roadhouse-has-anybody-owned-or-ridden-one.206081/

I'm biased, but would seem to suit your requirements.

 

[smutchin]

Specialized Tricross used to be the stock answer to this question, being somewhere between a true CX bike and a road bike. But they don't make it any more.

However, Trek do make a bike called the Crossrip (see what they did there?)
Crossrip 2 would be the model that fits your budget:
http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/b...uter-bikes/crossrip/crossrip-2/p/1376000-2017

Look at Whyte as well - the Suffolk would be ideal for your budget:
http://www.whyte.bike/suffolk

I'd say take a punt on drop bars. They might take a bit of getting used to but you'll reap the benefits in the long run - much better for road riding.

 

[vickster]

Isn't the Diverge the new Tricross?

 

[Kajjal]

CX and Gravel bikes would be useful as they allow wider tyres and have disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes work better than cable. Also think about having the space to fit mudguards. Have a look at bikes like GT Grade, Specialized Diverge and try some test rides.

I have a Diverge which works well on or off road until the trails get rougher.

 

[r04DiE]

You realise it's illegal to ride on pavements as well as reckless

Well said!

 

[smutchin]

Isn't the Diverge the new Tricross?

It's replaced the Tricross but it's quite a different bike. Could be a good option though.

 

[WuMyster]

You realise it's illegal to ride on pavements as well as reckless

Apologies, bad wording. By pavements, I really mean surfaces that aren't tarmac, not actual pedestrian pavements.
And by reckless; I would rather go over a pothole than slow down and avoid it on the road.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Apologies, bad wording. By pavements, I really mean surfaces that aren't tarmac, not actual pedestrian pavements.
And by reckless; I would rather go over a pothole than slow down and avoid it on the road.

You might come a cropper banging through pot holes on road wheels and hard tyres vs MTB.

Also if you are that keen on keeping up a pace then seriously consider sticking to the roads and not whatever surface you may hop onto that could be shared with slower more vulnerable users.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

You might come a cropper banging through pot holes on road wheels and hard tyres vs MTB.

Also if you are that keen on keeping up a pace then seriously consider sticking to the roads and not whatever surface you may hop onto that could be shared with slower more vulnerable users.

Indeed, fast 35mm tyres are the answer, as opposed to 28mm. 32s at a pinch (see what I did there!). Steel frame, all's good.

 

[vickster]

Could go for something like this, way under budget

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/genesis-2016-croix-de-fer-20-bike-olive-green

Or a less ubiquitous brand in kinesis

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/kinesis-5t-disc-brake-2016