One bike to rule them all. Recommend a cyclocross for commute & occassional off road

[evo456]

2nd hand Boardman CX Team 2012 ver. Ticks most boxes, finished in grey so not too flashy.

 

[Harv]

2nd hand Boardman CX Team 2012 ver. Ticks most boxes, finished in grey so not too flashy.

Thanks. Will check out ebay. What's a decent price to pick up one of these.

 

[Mike!]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/13-innate-alpha-cyclocross-bike-2015#tab2

Bang on budget, no silly BB30 like the 2012 Boardman - just drag it along behind the car for a bit to beat it up

 

[Mike!]

Or as @vickster has already suggested the Forme Calver CX Sport, i've just got one, sizes selling fast but great spec for a fantastic price!

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/285290/products/forme-calver-cx-sport-cyclocross-bike.aspx

A local stockist might price match for you...

 

[evo456]

Thanks. Will check out ebay. What's a decent price to pick up one of these.

No idea, but these were only around £900 brand new, so you should be able to find one within your price range.

 

[Harv]

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/13-innate-alpha-cyclocross-bike-2015#tab2

Bang on budget, no silly BB30 like the 2012 Boardman - just drag it along behind the car for a bit to beat it up

Or as @vickster has already suggested the Forme Calver CX Sport, i've just got one, sizes selling fast but great spec for a fantastic price!

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/285290/products/forme-calver-cx-sport-cyclocross-bike.aspx

A local stockist might price match for you...

Thanks. Is the Halford bike any good. It's within budget and doesn't look too swish.

The Froome looks too flashy. Will get nicked in a week round here.

 

[Harv]

Sic. Not froome but forme.

 

[Mike!]

Thanks. Is the Halford bike any good. It's within budget and doesn't look too swish.

The Froome looks too flashy. Will get nicked in a week round here.

Not seen the Halfords bike but it ticks all of your boxes i'd say. Not been in store lately so not sure if they are stocked yet?

 

[evo456]

As you want to replace 3 bikes with one you'll need to think about certain "must haves" features from each one, you won't fnd a bike that does everything your road, hybrid and mountain bike does but you can certainly find one that does most things, a cyclo cross bike covers most bases. Personally if I was in a similar situation my thought process would be after deciding a cyclocross format frame:-

Road bike properties- light, takes thin tyres.Gearing for fast progress on tarmac
Hybrid bike properties- versatile, takes guards and rack. Robust, reliable and easy maintenance.
Mountain bike properties - takes thick tyres, wide MTB gear selection ranges for climbs

The 13 alpha looks ok, but it's not overly light and because it has one of the lowest groupsets the gear range isn't that wide either. Start with a decent light frame and carbon fork. Most other things can be upgraded in due time.

 

[Harv]

I'm unlikely to upgrade anything if I'm honest. I'm not a diy type person.

If I had enough space Id keep all three bikes.

I know I'll have to compromise on somethings.

Sold my MTB and hybrid today. Sob. Just left with the road bike.

I also have a folder which I'm going to keep. Essentially I'll go from 4 bikes to 2.

Cyclocross seems the best bike that will deliver everything for the ones I've replaced/going to replace.

 

[jack smith]

That white cx bike at halfords is a beut!! Just get them to put it together in store and it will come out looking sh*t anyway!

 

[Harv]

Thought I'd update the thread.

Thanks to everyone for the advice given. I went for an Innate 13 cyclocross bike. I got it secondhand on Gumtree for £123 which I thought was an absolute bargain.

Really happy with the purchase so far.

It's got the chunky tyres on it but I have a spare set of wheels with road bike tyres on them. Planning to swap the tyres if I'm going out on a long road ride.