Cyclocross or adventure bike?

[jimmi t]

I ride a CAADX on the bridleways near me and it is great fun. It also goes well on the road and has mudguard eyelets despite being a proper crosser. I can't help thinking that adventure/gravel bikes are just a marketing creation of the bike industry to sell more bikes to the "must haves" If a cx bike is too aggressive just wack a shorter stem on with a bit of rise.

CAADX looks nice although I don't know if it's still available new? Plus I've kinda fallen in love with Planet X as their a yorkshire company and I really like the look of their bikes but I'm not totally committed to buying one of their bikes, at the end of the day the bike that ticks all my boxes is the one I'm gonna go for. And as for your opinion on the adventure bike genre that's what I'm trying to work out, I suppose if their more suited to the longer rides I can kinda get it but as you say you can just change the stem on a cx bike that has eyelets etc anyway. But that just makes the adventure bikes basically rd bikes with relaxed geometry and bigger tyre clearance therefore a cx bike would suit me better being able to handle more technical stuff, fast and gives me the option to change the tyres sizes to suit where I'm riding. things are starting to become a bit clearer now. Thanks guys!

 

[vickster]

Caadx depending on size needed
Eg
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s194p7464/CANNONDALE-CAADX-105-2017

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s194p0/Road-Bikes/CANNONDALE/Racing-Cyclo-Cross

 

[MacB]

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/explain-monster-cross-bikes-to-me

Here's a link to one discussion but put monstercross into search and you get lots of discussions

 

[tribanjules]

Jimmi t im not happy with you.
your thread has now given me ANOTHER n+1

ive ridden same tracks on my cx as my 29er and the 29er seems to be equal on speed but ahead on grip and confidence.
as a commuter option into city centre the monster would be ace !

 

[JCroxton1]

My LBS has a guide on Bikepacking with some pretty good bike ideas - might be worth a glance as it crosses over with your requirements. http://www.bikesheduk.com/bikepacking

 

[jimmi t]

Thanks. Interesting reading sorry tribanjules but hey you can never have enough bikes ok so what do you guys think between these two. Ones cx and ones gravel/adventure bike. Would be good to have your opinions on which you prefer and most importantly is the cx bike gonna be faster on the bridleways and off road parts of my rides.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXX...gra-6800-cyclocross-bike-top-commuter-edition

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBVIS...ca-shimano-ultegra-6800-gravel-adventure-bike

Their both similar in price and use most of the same components other than the thru axle wheels so could always buy the other one later down the line as a frame only and could just swap all the components over if I changed my mind or was intrigued to try the other.
Let me know what u think

 

[MacB]

Jimmi, I would say neither as they both sport Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes and on £1500-1600 priced bikes that is downright shocking....they are a very poor cousin to the Avid BB7 mechanical discs, which was the mechanical brake leader. But other brands have caught up and surpassed the BB7s now...you'd struggle to give away BB5s now.

 

[jimmi t]

Jimmi, I would say neither as they both sport Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes and on £1500-1600 priced bikes that is downright shocking....they are a very poor cousin to the Avid BB7 mechanical discs, which was the mechanical brake leader. But other brands have caught up and surpassed the BB7s now...you'd struggle to give away BB5s now.

Alas I had already thought of that. As I'm planning to buy the frame and build it up myself I've already bought some stuff like saddle, carbon seat post. Stem and bars and I also got bb7s as they were on sale

 

[MacB]

Alas I had already thought of that. As I'm planning to buy the frame and build it up myself I've already bought some stuff like saddle, carbon seat post. Stem and bars and I also got bb7s as they were on sale

Sorry Jimmi I think I was so shocked by the price tags coupled with the finishing kit that I totally forgot to read back a bit first.

I don't think there's much to choose between the two frame sets

 

[jimmi t]

Sorry Jimmi I think I was so shocked by the price tags coupled with the finishing kit that I totally forgot to read back a bit first.

I don't think there's much to choose between the two frame sets

no worries. have you got any recommendations for a bike that fits what i need? still battling the cx or adventure bike debate. basically need a do it all bike that i can commute on but somethings thats fast and and able to take on the bridalways and dirt tracks around me.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yeah I like the sound of that although I'm still not convinced by the one by gearing as surely it's better to have a 2 by that gives me bigger gearing options. Unless I'm missing something and you can get one by gearing with a bigger than 42 tooth chain ring? Also could you show me an example of the sort of bike you mean as like you say most of the cx bikes I've seen don't take tyres that big.
Cheers
J

Single 40 or 42 chain ring with an 11-42 or even a 10-42 will give you pretty much everything you are likely to need unless you're a cyclist who is capable of hurtling around at very high average speeds and who really needs very high gears..

 

[Kestevan]

Planet X Bish Bash Bosh.

@Mrs Kes has one and loves it.

 

[MacB]

Planet X Bish Bash Bosh.

@Mrs Kes has one and loves it.

Jimmi, if you want to build up from a frame then Planet X are very good value

 

[jimmi t]

Jimmi, if you want to build up from a frame then Planet X are very good value

i've recently discovered planet x and being a yorkshire man i would like to try one out. i'm quite taken with the planet x XLS and and i like the "on one" space chicken, not really looked at the bish bash bosh. whats it got going for it over the other two?

 

[MacB]

i've recently discovered planet x and being a yorkshire man i would like to try one out. i'm quite taken with the planet x XLS and and i like the "on one" space chicken, not really looked at the bish bash bosh. whats it got going for it over the other two?

I don't know specifics on these frames, as I like a more upright riding position I always found Px and On-One frames to be a bit short in the head tube for my tastes. But that's aesthetics, I would rather have a tall head tube than a high rise stem or a stack of spacers under the stem using an uncut fork.