Do it all bike

[srj10]

Recently returned to cycling and currently using a Trek 1.2 road bike for all my activities. mainly commuting and fitness based, but have just added day trips round the west of scotland to the list. With the bike sales (and winter!!) approaching I was wondering what bike,,if any, would be suitable for year round,all activities cycling.My current thoughts are specialized sirrus or ridgeback voyage.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C440&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...2&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018333c018336

 

[threefingerjoe]

This is what makes it so difficult to set up the perfect bike. No matter what you buy, it will be a compromise, and you'll end up tweaking it to your preferences. My opinion, is for starters, I'd go with the Ridgeback. For that do-it-all bike that you're looking for, I like the steel frame, larger tyres, 36 hole wheels, rack, mudguards and pump...items that you'll want, anyway. However, I'd prefer that flat bars of the Specialized. But bar design isn't as critical as some of the other items.

Good luck!

 

[TheBoyBilly]

I too am on the lookout for that 'do-it-all' bike. For me I think it will be one of these -

Specialized Tricross
Genesis Croix de Fer
Fuji Cross Comp

Any of these will cover all my bases except for travel on trains which is where my magnificent Brommie comes in

Bill

 

[HaloJ]

I too am on the lookout for that 'do-it-all' bike. For me I think it will be one of these -

Specialized Tricross
Genesis Croix de Fer
Fuji Cross Comp

Any of these will cover all my bases except for travel on trains which is where my magnificent Brommie comes in

Bill

Aye nice choice. Cyclocross bikes do seem to cover more bases than others.

 

[srj10]

Thanks for the replies. The specialized tricross looks sweet,dismissed cyclocross bikes early on as I thought they wouldn't be suitable for longer distances but will add to my ever growing list !

 

[HJ]

Having looked at both, I would go for the Genesis Croix de Fer over the Specialized Tricross any day.

 

[Norm]

Thanks for the replies. The specialized tricross looks sweet,dismissed cyclocross bikes early on as I thought they wouldn't be suitable for longer distances but will add to my ever growing list !

They are very suitable for longer distances. The cyclo-cross thing is a bit of a distraction, IMO. As a sweeping generalisation, they are strong, solid, dependable workhorses which you can ride where you want to ride and most bear little, if any, relationship to bikes used for cyclo-cross racing. I reckon they would be a very good choice for most people for most rides.

 

[mcshroom]

As you are looking at EBC I'd be tempted by their Country Explorer. The disk brakes would be a nice addition in winter

A cyclo-cross bike is probably a good choice as well

 

[srj10]

Are the gear ratios on cyclocross bikes suitable for steep climbs? My trek is a 50/34 11/26 and I find climbing hills a real effort (my commute includes a steep climb of 130m).
mcshroom, I will check out country explorer but wasn't sure about revolution brand.

 

[potsy]

Are the gear ratios on cyclocross bikes suitable for steep climbs? My trek is a 50/34 11/26 and I find climbing hills a real effort (my commute includes a steep climb of 130m).
mcshroom, I will check out country explorer but wasn't sure about revolution brand.

The Tri-cross has a triple so should be fine,and forget what the spec on the website says it's wrong,norm has confirmed it does not have 11-25 cassette,more like 11-32.
On my shopping list for winter

 

[2Loose]

The Tri-cross has a triple so should be fine,and forget what the spec on the website says it's wrong,norm has confirmed it does not have 11-25 cassette,more like 11-32.
On my shopping list for winter

To be fair, the Tri-Cross is not a 'proper' cyclocross bike. It is however a very comprehensive 'damn good at pretty much anything' bike though.
Most of the cyclocross bikes that are actually intended for use at real cyclocross have narrower gear ranges, probably couldn't take a triple chainset, wouldn't have mudguard or rack mounts etc etc.

 

[Norm]

Are the gear ratios on cyclocross bikes suitable for steep climbs? My trek is a 50/34 11/26 and I find climbing hills a real effort (my commute includes a steep climb of 130m).

Generalising, yes, cx bikes often use mountain bike gearing for the cassette. The Tricross has 11-32 on the back, as an example.

 

[Norm]

Crap. I spend too long searching and confirming stuff before posting.

 

[HLaB]

Are the gear ratios on cyclocross bikes suitable for steep climbs? My trek is a 50/34 11/26 and I find climbing hills a real effort (my commute includes a steep climb of 130m).
mcshroom, I will check out country explorer but wasn't sure about revolution brand.

Just having a quick look at the tricross, I 'd say it was more suited to hills as it got a tripple chainset. What other people do is swap the tryes for slimmer ones on road, this makes it a pretty versatile bike IMO.

I've only used revolution accessories and not a full bike, they've been reliable for me and I've not heard anything bad about them just VfM B)

 

[HLaB]

Crap. I spend too long searching and confirming stuff before posting.

Not as long as me