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Getting into Cross, bike suggestions???
Hello all, this may not be the right category to post this but I figure ill give it a shot. I've been a longtime mountainbiker, both xc and downhill. I now value my life a little more and managed sell my old downhill bike for a grand and now want to put that towards a more fitness oriented activity. Ive ruled out a roadbike because I would be far too rough on it I figure and cross sounds intriguing to me.
I plan on getting a bike for around 1000 bucks (maybe 1300 or so max) putting on a lot of miles and practicing some cross skills this summer and maybe trying a few races in the fall. I want to be sure the bike I get is suitable for this. My LBS stocks SCOTT and Rocky Mountain bikes, I live in Canada and I'm not sure how many are familiar with the Rocky cross bikes but this is the one I am eying http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+SOLO_CX.html?BIKE=957&CATID... - shop has it for 1150 which is right about what I want to spend
After reading a lot on this site and on the web it seems as if there are a lot of bikes to be had under 1500 with a carbon fork, or at least a 10 speed 105 drive train however If it makes sense I want to support my LBS and just can't justify springing for the lower end Scott they have for 1700. Would it be worth seaching elsewhere or even online where there seems to be great deals on better bikes, or is does the CX Solo appear to be a decent value for 1150? and would it be suitable for a cross race?
Sorry for the insanely loaded post, I'm quite broke at the moment and it is a big decision.
Cheers,
Andrew
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Wahlin on
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I'm weary of Rocky Mountain cycles: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/03/bikes-and-tech/rocky-mountai...
Airborne is a generic brand but with a good price on a disc CX bike: http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/99-delta.aspx. Other than that or Bikesdirect it's hard to go full 105 or apex for close to a grand outside of buying old stock.
On the lower end some of the CX bikes seem to be aligned more towards commuter specs (such as in the gearing) than racing. Either is fine, but the purposes are different...
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Fantom Cross Pro has a nice build and an even nicer price. I ride Rival on my road bike and like the feel...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross_pro_riv... . If your size is not in stock, they tend to restock periodically.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Fly on
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you can find a lot of good used stuff... check out the Serotta Forum as well as here... I have no experience with Rocky Mtn stuff, but Tiagra is fine for cross/mud riding... carbon forks tend to shudder with canti brakes, so... I woudn't hesitate getting a bike from Bikes Direct for a second... BTW- you can throw some slick tires on a cross bike and instantly have a road bike... ;-)
BTW- not a big fan of SRAM here... Shimano or Campy for me...
Chris
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Permalink Reply by J.D. Kimple on
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+1
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Permalink Reply by Dirk Ericson on
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When I first started a few years ago I bought a bikesdirect.com bike ti with ultegra. Usually you have to expect that the seat, tires and pedals and wheels will be mostly junk. So be it... you still can't put a good frame and fork and components together for that price. I switched out 105 components from a road bike to my cross bike and put the better components on my road bike. 105 is good enough for cross and all the grit. 105 is cheaper to replace when it breaks. And if your doin cross right stuff will break. Oh make sure to buy an extra derailleur hanger or two when you get the bike you want. Sometimes its hard to find them later as the models change. The wheels and tires on the newer bikes are better than the ritchie stuff mine came with and should last you for a few seasons. I had some new wheels built by www.gvhbikes.com and am running my old ones for training. Another thing that helped me out a lot this year was switching the brakes so the Left brifter controlled the rear brake. Gave me a lot more control dismounting at speed and being able to brake at the same time. Another thing to think about is if you may want to add disc at some later time. I bought mine with disc compatability so I could turn it into a commuter at some point. I may still put a disc on the front but first I'm going to try some mini v's for the first part of the season when its less muddy here in the Pacific North west.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Sheffield on
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP. If you don't, it might not be there when you really need it! Ask them if they can get their hands on a last year's model bike for cheap. Express to them that you want to support them, but are considering buying online if the value is better. If they don't want to work with you, get a Kona. Or, buy the frame you want with cheap parts you can upgrade later if you really get into cross. Have fun!
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Yes, support your local bike shop!
My first CX bike came with Tiagra and it shifts better, smoother than my SRAM Rival setup. I took it on road, 'cross, MTB trails, all with no problem. Still working well.
You can also try to order a Surly Cross Check. Not sure what that clocks in at, but your local bike store could order it in.
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Rocky has had some difficulties with their forks this year and had a massive recall. They have also dropped their production on the CX bikes down to 2. They make great Mtn Bikes and they should leave it at that.
The Airborne looks awesome! I have been waiting for CX with disc and this one looks great for the price. My only concern is how will the forks handle the disc. Will they hold up? I have never heard of Airborne.
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I agree, the Airborne looks awesome. Two complaints though. 1. The welds look massive (more like what I would expect on a mountain bike). http://bikeshopgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2.jpg 2. The fork is "cross disc specific carbon"! This is the first cx specific cross disc specific carbon fork I have ever seen. Focus is a well established company that has put out cx disc bikes for several years. Even they use an alloy fork. Check out: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1106495_-1...
Last, Airborne is a mountain bike company dabbling in cyclocross and not the other way around. On the plus side, their choice of components for the price is really, really nice. Love seeing that 36/46T chainring on the initial build. It shows they have racing in mind. Tempting:)
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Permalink Reply by hellbelly on
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The Airborne is pretty generic, but likely a great rig for someone transitioning from the mountain world. Mike, I would contend that those beefy welds would be a plus as tough do-it-all rig that you could race and beat the hell out of too. There are many companies that have made carbon disc brake CX forks; Winwood, Wound-up, Redline and Nashbar to name a few. It's not a big deal. I cannot wait to see a disc-specific cross rig that weighs in under 20 lbs putting it in the competitive realm, but not costing an arm and a leg.
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How does this look? http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-sports-bikes-56-cm-Redline-... It is in my area, and 56cm. Now I am about 5'11 and i understand that typically that would be closer to a 58cm frame size. Is the difference that large? I see there is a setback seatpost as well. How is Campy Veloce stuff compared to tiagra/105 ive been looking at in new bikes (mostly tiagara). Decent value for 800 bucks?
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As for the size: I think you'll be fine. Lots of people say to go a size down for 'cross bike anyway, I like to go with the same size. I am the same height as you and ride a 58 ost of the time, but the old horse is a 56 - a bit more stem, and the seatpost has a fair amount of setback - I'd call it good.
Redline make s a very good bike. It's not jaw-dropping sexy but it's a good, solid performer.
As for Veloce, I don't have much first hand experience with it but it's closer to 105. And if push comes to shove and you don't like it, I'll buy it off you!
I'd jump on it.
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