Cyclocross - or go for racing bike + winter tyres?

[razkaz]

Heya all,

Right - so a few months ago, I got myself a Trek 7.3FX after a long hiatus from cycling. It is a great bike I have to say - v fast and comfortable to ride...it has got my interest back into cycling.

I'm quite keen to use a drop bar bike - but I'm confused about which to go to especially with winter coming up. As well as cycling on the road, I quite like riding in the park (stoney paths and all) so I thought about getting a Cyclocross bike. What are your thoughts on this - are cyclocross bikes significantly more heavier than their equivalently priced racing bike counterparts? Another option I was thinking about was to buy a racing bike and fit treaded tyres on them?

Would be interested to hear your thoughts. I'm looking at potentially investing £700-800 (the Trek XO-1 http://www.evanscycl...001637?query=xo ) has come up as an option - have you guys had much experience with them?

Cheers

 

[Cyclist33]

I found that my flat bar road bike had too tight a frame for knobbly tires, even ones as narrow as 30mm, so I would advise you to get a cyclocross bike if you're getting a new one. Mind you, I would be more than happy with that Trek of yours!

Stu

 

[Norm]

I'm quite keen to use a drop bar bike - but I'm confused about which to go to especially with winter coming up. As well as cycling on the road, I quite like riding in the park (stoney paths and all) so I thought about getting a Cyclocross bike. What are your thoughts on this - are cyclocross bikes significantly more heavier than their equivalently priced racing bike counterparts? Another option I was thinking about was to buy a racing bike and fit treaded tyres on them?

Get the CX bike. (This is, of course, a personal opinion based on my riding style, my routes and my bikes)

I have a Specialized Secteur Sport (around £650 and 9.5kg) and a Specialized Tricross Sport (around £850 and 10.5kg).

Weight difference is not significant and will be mostly down to the wheels and tyres anyway. Change the tyres and the difference will be even less.

Many "racing bikes" have fairly narrow clearances for tyres, and won't take much more than 28mm. Whilst you could (and many do) ride off road with 700x28c tyres, something with a wider tyre will be much more comfortable.

The wider tyres of the CX bike will be easier to ride on rough roads as well as when off road. My two bikes take essentially the same amount of time on my 9-mile commute, as the Tricross tyres mean I don't have to worry so much about shockingly bad the road surface.

Going the other way, though, I regularly (three times this weekend) ride a 10 mile loop of 60% tow path and 40% bike path and the Tricross is over 5% (2 minutes) faster than my hardtail MTB.

I would, without hesitation, choose the CX bike if I was only allowed one set of wheels in the garage. It can do roads and trails as well as dedicated bikes with very few compromises. I wouldn't want my only bike to be a road bike.

 

[Brandane]

Specialized Tricross triple £699. Not that I'm biased having one myself! Great bike IMHO, not being a proper "serious" cyclist.....
I bought a second set of wheels for mine (Shimano RS20) that have narrower tyres fitted (I put 28mm width on, but the wheels can take narrower road bike tyres if necessary). Jack of all trades; master of none. I use it mainly on road but also paths, canal towpaths and some rougher tracks. Have found myself wanting to get back into some light mountain trails again, and it's not much use for that (I did try!!). Really need suspension forks for that...

 

[Garz]

I took a similar route into cycling since I stopped when I finished A levels at school and learnt to drive a car (twelve year regretful hiatus). I initially bought the 'hybrid' style bike as I too thought the odd canal path and rubble track meant I needed a more robust steed.

After a total of about 7 months of riding on this cheap MTB variation and getting passed regularly by other on the asphalt I realised I spent 98% of my time on the stuff so went full into a proper road bike.

I will never look back now and if required will just get a MTB if I plan on doing off road. The cyclo-cross will be a nice bike but unless you are actually doing that type of riding I would try out a road bike with the winter tyre option (this all depends on your terrain of course, just my 2$ on it).

 

[razkaz]

Mind you, I would be more than happy with that Trek of yours!

Thanks, it is a great bike - but I thought that whilst it is in good condition, I can try to get a good price for it. In the long run, I would like "get into the habit" of using a drop bar just because it seems to be recommended by most. But yes, I totally agree - as a beginner, definitely the way to go.

Get the CX bike. (This is, of course, a personal opinion based on my riding style, my routes and my bikes)

I have a Specialized Secteur Sport (around £650 and 9.5kg) and a Specialized Tricross Sport (around £850 and 10.5kg).

Thanks for this mate - in fact, I was just looking the Specialized range for CX bikes! I was intending to go for Specialized, but I noticed that the Trek XO-1 seems to have the 105 components. At this price range, would you say that the components will have a greater impact on the bikes - or is it the case that the frame would have a greater role? (i.e. are Specialized frames >> Trek)

Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

[Dave5N]

Most cross bikes, at least the decent ones, are fairly specialised racing machines, unsuited to general duties. Some of the bottom end range may be alright - I don't warrant a decent bike and my Focus is pretty much a Jack Of All Trades.

If you want a proper cross bike, I have a Ridley I am told I must sell.

 

[razkaz]

If you want a proper cross bike, I have a Ridley I am told I must sell.

Cheers Dave - which model and how much are you looking at (if you were to sell? - just collating up all my options )

 

[jayonabike]

Heya all,

Right - so a few months ago, I got myself a Trek 7.3FX after a long hiatus from cycling. It is a great bike I have to say - v fast and comfortable to ride...it has got my interest back into cycling.

You havn't said if your keeping or selling your trek. If your keeping it (you say its v fast and comfortable) then i would use this for stoney paths and riding round the park and invest in a road bike.

2 bikes = best of both worlds!