Cross bike. Which 'un?

[Darren Gregory]

I was in a similar position last year and finaly went with the Pinnacle Arkose 3.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/b...ing-for-some-opinions-advice-comments.165377/

Having ridden it for a year my only complaints are that the bar tape is horrible, got rid of that very early on swapped it for LIzard Skin and I found the Kenda Small Block tyres seemed to be puncture magnets. Changed them over to Continental GP 4 Seasons late summer.

I havent ridden any "decent" bikes so perhaps I am missing something that a more established manaufacture might provide but whilst I often see other bikes and lust over them it's not because of the Arkose.

Current proces mean for the £1000 I spent last year you can get the Arkose 4 which I think upgrade the the 3 to Hydraulic brakes.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Pedalon have 2015 Giant TCX SLR 2 for sale at £799 but only in medium if thats the size your after.....

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant-tcx-slr-2-2015.html

You're an absolute gent, checked it, gave up on it, saw your post, rechecked...bought it!

Thanking you Tojo.

 

[Tojo]

You're an absolute gent, checked it, gave up on it, saw your post, rechecked...bought it!

Thanking you Tojo.

Glad to be of service.......

 

[StuAff]

You're an absolute gent, checked it, gave up on it, saw your post, rechecked...bought it!

Thanking you Tojo.

Nice looking bit of kit!

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Saw the 2016 model in the store today and looks great. It will need some tampering at some point. The bike comes with a 36/46 chainset but as I wanted a do-all bike, the 2015 SLR 2 still seems to fit the bill. That 36/46 could be more problematic for a commute or long gravel rides but it seems the only issue with 'gravel grinding' and commuting in the reviews is this 36/46 configuration.

This is something I didn't want to let make a difference to my decision. My Sunday best (and now only road bike ) is a Cannondale Supersix with a cut down steerer so is a very aggressive riding position. One of the other choices above in the OP was the Croix de Fer because it ticks so many of my boxes but the geometry of the TCX suits me better. The other relationship my decision has with the Supersix already in my possession is the spare 34/50 FSA I have lingering, swapped for a lighter (and better) SRAM chainset. But... I might find with the faster off-road gravel and trails I have in mind that the 46(11) is hard enough. Either way, I have the option and will soon find out.

Thanks for the input folks.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Saw the 2016 model in the store today and looks great. It will need some tampering at some point. The bike comes with a 36/46 chainset but as I wanted a do-all bike, the 2015 SLR 2 still seems to fit the bill. That 36/46 could be more problematic for a commute or long gravel rides but it seems the only issue with 'gravel grinding' and commuting in the reviews is this 36/46 configuration.

This is something I didn't want to let make a difference to my decision. My Sunday best (and now only road bike ) is a Cannondale Supersix with a cut down steerer so is a very aggressive riding position. One of the other choices above in the OP was the Croix de Fer because it ticks so many of my boxes but the geometry of the TCX suits me better. The other relationship my decision has with the Supersix already in my possession is the spare 34/50 FSA I have lingering, swapped for a lighter (and better) SRAM chainset. But... I might find with the faster off-road gravel and trails I have in mind that the 46(11) is hard enough. Either way, I have the option and will soon find out.

Thanks for the input folks.

Very nice bike at a very sharp price.

I have a 2012 TCX1 (might change it next year for SLR 1 or 2) and changed the chainring to 46/34 instead of the original 46/36 and it's really nice to have a relatively small jump between the rings as opposed to 50/34. I don't spin out until 30 mph-ish but maybe you ride down hills faster than me?

FWIW I struggle to see why the price difference between the 2016 SLR1 & 2 is so large at full list - I do like the green livery on the SLR1 though.

Enjoy your bike!

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Very nice bike at a very sharp price.

I have a 2012 TCX1 (might change it next year for SLR 1 or 2) and changed the chainring to 46/34 instead of the original 46/36 and it's really nice to have a relatively small jump between the rings as opposed to 50/34. I don't spin out until 30 mph-ish but maybe you ride down hills faster than me?

FWIW I struggle to see why the price difference between the 2016 SLR1 & 2 is so large at full list - I do like the green livery on the SLR1 though.

Enjoy your bike!

Hey, been busy and haven't been here for a bit but thanks Spokeydokey. I got the bike very quickly and yet due to work, have only ridden once but love it already. I had a Defy 3 around 4 years ago and when I sold her on I always vowed to buy another Giant.

First impressions are that the 36-46 is enough for the time being; I've become more of a spinner in recent years and the gravel road and dirt tracks + the heavier wheels and tyres seem to fit just right. I managed to get the 2015 model in the end.