Buying my first cyclocross

[j20nyh]

Hi i'm looking at buying my first cyclocross bike and was hoping for some advice/recommendations. I only want to spend approx £400-£500 at a push. I understand there's not a lot out that at my price bracket and have only managed to find the following:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...dp:1o1|bku:1&gclid=CJf3pYiWw8QCFQoEwwodsh4ALA

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-15?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

Which would you opt for if you were spending the money and is there anything out there worth considering?

Thanks!

 

[vickster]

Are you going to be racing it? I think the season is drawing to a close, so second hand would be the best route with your budget

 

[j20nyh]

No I won't be racing it, just want something to mainly use on the road but will be able to handle the occasional gravel track and bit of mud.

 

[vickster]

Second hand is your best bet

 

[jowwy]

2nd hand would only be the best bet if you know what you want, are looking for etc etc

As the OP is looking for advice/opinions on cyclocross bikes, then he/she may not have the best knowledge of what to look out for in a 2nd hand bike.

My advice would be to go to your LBS, chat to the owner about your needs as a cyclist and see what they have available within your price range.

 

[vickster]

Except he says that he has only found those two in budget. I doubt an LBS will have a decent CX bike for £400 (around here they barely have a hybrid or basic road bike for that, CX seem to carry a premium) If near an Edinburgh bike shop, easy enough to go see their range, ditto Halfords

I don't think the OP is a newbie (asked previously about roadbikes and avatar suggests a Cube) so I assumed some knowledge about bikes. It's easy enough to do some research on a second hand bike once you know the model etc. Even I could tell a complete dog and I have zero mechanical nous. A £400 CX bike is one that will have been at least £600 a year or two ago, probably a commuter. Here's a used one from a shop http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-X01-...976?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf557c9d0

Usual rules for buying used, sound out the seller, go to their house to view / test ride, ask for proof of purchase / ownership, ask for serial number to check against bike register, look for signs of frame damage, major abuse

Or save up a bit and get something like this http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s23p5169/CANNONDALE-CAADX-SORA-2013
or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1312...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
or http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-substance-cx11-sora-2014/

 

[Nebulous]

I have the next Edinburgh cross bike up with the disc brakes. I'm quite happy with it, without being excited by it. I mainly use it for a short commute and some work miles.

My previous commuter was an Edinburgh bike tourer and on balance I think it would have been more practical to replace it with another one of their tourers.

 

[tinstar101]

I've bought a Carrera Tanneri from Halfords yesterday - £300, awaitng delivery on Saturday http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...eri-limited-edition-cyclocross-bike-2015-blue I'll let you know what thats like once I've put it together.