New bike quandry

[sparty69]

I'm wanting to commute to work (17.5 miles each way), the problem is that my route is along the A628 over the woodhead pass. My concern is how busy and dangerous this bloody road is. My partner is not happy about me using this route, unfortunately it is the only option I have, apart from.........., the trail that runs from Hadfield to the woodhead station. I would then only have to use about 2 miles of the A628 before rejoining the trans pennine trail at Dunford Bridge which will take me all the way into Penistone. I currently have a road bike which is unsuitable for the trail, so I'm looking at getting a new bike through the cycle to work scheme. My quandry is, which is best for this kind of route?, a mountain bike or a hybrid. I'm swaying towards the Mountain bike as I think this will be best suited to the trail part of the ride. My only concern is the road part of the route, about 4 miles in total. Any opinions?

 

[JNR]

Perfect excuse to buy a cyclo-cross bike?

 

[sparty69]

Yeah, that was my other thought, but how good are they off road?

 

[JNR]

I've only watched cyclo-cross and they cope fine off road, on road I'm guessing that they will outperform a mountain bike due to being lighter, slightly thinner tyres etc which will make your commute easier. If you don't need suspension I would go for a cyclo-cross bike, carrying around suspension is a waste of energy (yet I see vast amounts of full suspension bikes on my travels)

The guy who runs my LBS rides a cyclo-cross bike to work across varied terrain and he knows whay he's doing around a bike!

 

[sparty69]

Thanks JNR. Just wish I could try before I buy, then I'd know which was best suited. The trail from hadfield to Woodhead station is much smoother then the trans pennine trail, so I'm sure it'd be fine on that section.

 

[Cubist]

Cyclo cross, definitely. The trail is in such good condition in general, that unless you really want an excuse to buy an MTB (and use it somewhere other than on Longdendale), you're better off on a cyclocross bike. As to their suitability off road, well, we ride out on a thursday night over some stuff that is hard work on an XC bike, and one or two members interchange their cross bikes with their MTBs, They cope really well, and are more than enough bike for Longdendale.

You may even get away with some 28s or 32s on a road bike.

By the way, I'm with your partner on the A628 thing. The road at Woodhead would be near suicide on a bike. The double white line sections mean that you would be forced off the road every few feet by impatient eejits, even if they saw you in time. Do yourself several favours and stick to Longdendale. Even mid winter it's rideable.

 

[Woz!]

Might even get away with a tourer, which might be more practical as a commuter.
I ride a Ridgeback Voyage down a reasonable length of bridleway. Sadly it can't cope with REALLY deep mud, but it would be challenging on an MTB too to be honest.

 

[Norm]

Yeah, that was my other thought, but how good are they off road?

Excellent, IMO. Much faster on the road than an MTB and just fine on everything off-road that I've tried...


Plus, you get some great looks from peeps when you ride in thick mud with drop bars.

 

[roubaix murry]

If i had the chance I would definately have a cyclocross option in the garage, sounds perfect for your needs

 

[sparty69]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think you've made my decision a lot easier. Cyclo cross it is. Now, the question is... which one?

 

[Norm]

That's easy.

Genesis Croix de Fer

Genesis Day 01 Afine

Specialized Tricross Sport

The Genesis bikes look lovely, the Alfine hub makes that Day 01 very attractive for the sort of riding you do but I still quite like derailleurs and I'd buy another Tricross in a flash.

 

[sparty69]

Cheers Norm. It's funny you should mention the above bikes as the Genesis & Specialized were the two I have been drooling over on the evans website. I need to go and inspect them in the flesh me thinks. Can't do anything till work pull their finger out and authorise the cycle to work scheme, hopefully this will be up and running in April.

 

[Long Distance]

i just bought and am riding a Kona Jake for my commute (road and canal paths) & weekend rides (trans-pennine trail) and so far it's ideal for that purpose - relatively quick on the road and pretty solid over the rough stuff

the cantilever brakes, however are absolutely appalling - to the point of dangerous, especially in traffic - the lack of stopping power scares me to my core - be aware that the Tricross will probably be the same

can anyone suggest anything i can do to improve them??

 

[Norm]

I've never had an issue with the brakes on my Tricross.

Are they properly set up? If so, try a set of Kool-Stop pads.