Opinion on an upgrade

[baldycyclist]

Folks
My first post - please be gentle on me.

Been commuting for a couple of years on a Giant OCR2
http://devercycles.c...d=XBGNTOCRT0206
or a Specialized Hybrid Crosstrail (2009)
http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec016911

I want to upgrade and am thinking of a cyclocross bike - weight and strength is my thinking.

The roads around me can get nasty and I was thinking of leaving a set of wheels with the knobblies on and a set with slicks.

Been looking around and doing some reading and have come up with a Cannondale SuperX Ultegra 2011 Cyclocross Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/superx-ultegra-2011-cyclocross-bike-ec025336?utm_source=awin&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=awin&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=awin&promo=Communities+%26+UGC

Just wondered what those who are in the know think about my choice? Not sure what frame size to get just yet.

(thing is my wife mentioned getting a new car for me - so instead I thought it could be the chance to spend a fair amount on a bike that will see me to the grave!)

Your opinion is valued folks

Balds

 

[smokeysmoo]

Strewth, that's a hell of a lot of cash to splash on a CX IMHO. I am a Cannondale fan, but I can't comment on this as I've never had one. I did have a FOCUS MARES AX 1.0 a while back, and that was a fantastic piece of kit. Granted it's not carbon, (although you can get carbon Focus cx bikes), but I can't see why anyone would need a carbon cx bike unless they were competing at a decent level, but that's just me and it's not my cash so I'll shut up about that

A lot of people highly regard the PLANET X UNCLE JOHN cx bike too.

 

[Oldbloke]

I'd say that's too much to spend out on a crosser unless you're seriously into racing; I thought I was paying a lot for my Spesh Crux (light & fast) at nearly a grand!

And forget the "see you to the grave" theory; there will ALWAYS be a reason to upgrade

 

[accountantpete]

Ebay always seems to be awash with second hand cross kit - I think the name sounds a bit romantic and people soon realise that perhaps they don't actually need a cross bike for 90% of their riding.

 

[baldycyclist]

Strewth, that's a hell of a lot of cash to splash on a CX IMHO. I am a Cannondale fan, but I can't comment on this as I've never had one. I did have a FOCUS MARES AX 1.0 a while back, and that was a fantastic piece of kit. Granted it's not carbon, (although you can get carbon Focus cx bikes), but I can't see why anyone would need a carbon cx bike unless they were competing at a decent level, but that's just me and it's not my cash so I'll shut up about that

A lot of people highly regard the PLANET X UNCLE JOHN cx bike too.

I know about the amount to splash - just easy to buy a dream bike than car!!!!!
I appreciate your words

B

 

[baldycyclist]

I'd say that's too much to spend out on a crosser unless you're seriously into racing; I thought I was paying a lot for my Spesh Crux (light & fast) at nearly a grand!

And forget the "see you to the grave" theory; there will ALWAYS be a reason to upgrade

And just what is a Spesh Crux when it is at home?
I know the grave theory is out - but it is easier than buying my dream car!

B

 

[baldycyclist]

Ebay always seems to be awash with second hand cross kit - I think the name sounds a bit romantic and people soon realise that perhaps they don't actually need a cross bike for 90% of their riding.

I probably would not ever need a cross - but it just sounds about right for tough roads. I will never race it, just use it for the rest of its or my life for getting to work.
I like the colour also!!!!

B

 

[Oldbloke]

And just what is a Spesh Crux when it is at home?
I know the grave theory is out - but it is easier than buying my dream car!

B

This is a Crux http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/crux-elite-2011-road-bike-ec023881

 

[baldycyclist]

This is a Crux http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec023881

That looks nice
A friend of mine has just mentioned Kona to me - might check them out

 

[Oxo]

I probably would not ever need a cross - but it just sounds about right for tough roads. I will never race it, just use it for the rest of its or my life for getting to work.
I like the colour also!!!!

B

If you get a 100 comments you will get a 100 different suggestions, all of which will have some merit, but as it is said over and over, have a test ride and if it's right for you then go for it. As for the colour, that seems to clinch it.

 

[smokeysmoo]

That looks nice
A friend of mine has just mentioned Kona to me - might check them out

HERE you go. The Jake range from Kona is one of the longest established line of CX bikes. The range starts with the Jake, then goes upto Jake the Snake, and culminates with the Major Jake.

 

[baldycyclist]

HERE you go. The Jake range from Kona is one of the longest established line of CX bikes. The range starts with the Jake, then goes upto Jake the Snake, and culminates with the Major Jake.

The major looks nice - again probably too much to pay as previously mentioned?
Thanks for the link though

 

[baldycyclist]

If you get a 100 comments you will get a 100 different suggestions, all of which will have some merit, but as it is said over and over, have a test ride and if it's right for you then go for it. As for the colour, that seems to clinch it.

Cheers Bicyclist - I feel that colour could be the clincher!

 

[VamP]

Do you really want a cross bike?

I am being serious. Are you going to race? Are you going to ride in mud? Are you going to need to run along with your bike hooked over your shoulder?

If you answer yes to one or more of those then you're in the right ballpark. If all you're looking for is a set of rugged wheels and tyres, then get a road bike and add Easton EA50 wheels with rugged tyres. Simples.


As for crossers, I just spend a couple of weeks choosing one (to race) and having had Planet X UJ, and the Guerciotti Lyra as sold by PX at the top of my list for ages, I ended up going for the Cube X Pro, which I found reduced to £1200. This is an awesome bike, and very very light for an aluminium cross bike. It's in the same ballpark as my roadbike despite being shod with Rocket Rons.


The Cannondale Super X is a professional level race bike. I doubt it will take mudguards or paniers. Would I buy one? If I had the funds, quite possibly - but it would be a race bike ONLY, and would need a different wheelset.