Cross or Road Bike for Commuting

[CamR]

I currently use my MTB for commuting and longer rides at the weekend (commute distance is 13 miles each way)

Thinking of changing to a road sized wheel to get a bit of speed benefit.

Is it worthwhile going for a Cyclocross bike because I can fit guards etc and also deal with the occasional kerb or pothole or will I just regret it and wish I'd gone for a road bike after a couple of months.

I like the idea of a slightly sturdier wheelset but I am worried that the crosser wont quite cut it on the road.

Any advice/comments welcome

Thanks

Cam

 

[nameinuse]

I'm in a similar situation to you, though without quite such a long commute. I've been looking for a while, and the answer seems to be Specialized's Tricross line... If anyone knows if a bargain on the Tricross Comp (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38439&eid=123) I'd be very grateful indeed! Don't know if there will be 2010 versions out soon too.

I don't think you'll be doing any time trials on a cross bike, but it seems like the ideal compromise between toughness and speed for the commute, and for day rides out.

 

[trustysteed]

i'm also looking into changing my MTB commuter for a cross bike later this year (have a road bike already). i'm looking into the Giant TCX 2:

Giant TCX 2 2009

Unfortunately all the medium sizes have sold out so I may go for the 2010 model when it arrives in UK:

Giant TCX 2 2010

 

[Origamist]

Touring bike?

 

[RedBike]

Unless you're taking the bike off-road then get a road bike. There's plenty of road bikes that will take mud-guards and with wider tyres they're just as capable of dealing with pot-holes/ kerbs as a cyclo-x bike is.

Cyclo-x bikes always fetch premium prices, they're also generally heavier, poorer spec'd and not as comfortable or as quick as a road bike.

 

[Jake]

forget mudguards, just get a bit of a wetbum , you change when you get home and work. mudguards on roadbikes look silly. plus if there is spray, then it stops people drafting you

 

[trustysteed]

forget mudguards, just get a bit of a wetbum

the problem is, it's not just water. it's dirt, oil and grease which quickly ruins clothing and backpacks. i'd rather spend £25 on mudguards once then keep forking out £100 quid every year to replace my clothing and backpack.

 

[trustysteed]

Unless you're taking the bike off-road then get a road bike. There's plenty of road bikes that will take mud-guards and with wider tyres they're just as capable of dealing with pot-holes/ kerbs as a cyclo-x bike is.

Cyclo-x bikes always fetch premium prices, they're also generally heavier, poorer spec'd and not as comfortable or as quick as a road bike.

from my point of view, i want something that will motivate me to get out and do long rides in winter. i don't like using my current road-bike because i want to keep it in excellent condition so i use it only when it's dry. (i don't want to have to clean it every week!)

but when it's wet and muddy, i want an 'almost' road-bike i can go do 40-50 miles on weekends during the winter. i never get motivated to use my MTB commuter for that! so a cross bike would suit me perfectly, faster for commuting but also perfect for winter training.

 

[Tynan]

what redbike said

and mudguards (and doubtless racks and panniers and lights) might lok silly to weekend warriors, to a year round commuter they're no brainer essentials

 

[Origamist]

from my point of view, i want something that will motivate me to get out and do long rides in winter. i don't like using my current road-bike because i want to keep it in excellent condition so i use it only when it's dry. (i don't want to have to clean it every week!)

but when it's wet and muddy, i want an 'almost' road-bike i can go do 40-50 miles on weekends during the winter. i never get motivated to use my MTB commuter for that! so a cross bike would suit me perfectly, faster for commuting but also perfect for winter training.

If you're going to be riding on the roads - a touring/audax bike will fit the bill.

 

[Plax]

If you're going to be riding on the roads - a touring/audax bike will fit the bill.

+1
I've got a touring bike and it goes like a bat out of hell - well I managed 41mph downhill on it, and can easily manage circa 25+ mph on the flats, not that I have much opportunity to ride on flat roads.......

 

[RedBike]

from my point of view, i want something that will motivate me to get out and do long rides in winter. i don't like using my current road-bike because i want to keep it in excellent condition so i use it only when it's dry. (i don't want to have to clean it every week!)

but when it's wet and muddy, i want an 'almost' road-bike i can go do 40-50 miles on weekends during the winter. i never get motivated to use my MTB commuter for that! so a cross bike would suit me perfectly, faster for commuting but also perfect for winter training.

It still sounds like you want a tourer / a 'winter' road bike not a cyclo-x bike. I hate riding my MTB on the roads too, there's no way I would go out for a 40/50 mile road ride on it.

Cyclo-x bikes aren't as quick or as comfortable as a tourer/winter road bike, they're not designed to be.

Also Canti-lever brakes aren't a patch on duel pivots and in the wet they're almost dangerously crap!

 

[upsidedown]

Last year i did about 4000 commuting miles on my Galaxy in all weathers. I doubt that a race bike would have survived it.
I have now replaced it with a another tourer which has mudguards, rack etc. It is fitted with XT hubs and rear mech, like a mountain bike, has 36 hole rims and 700cc wheels. I reckon that makes it about the perfect compromise for a day in day out commuter, plus all year round weekend long ride bike.

Oh yeah, there's no toe overlap like there is on most crossers, so you won't fall off when you forget.

 

[trustysteed]

had a quick search for tourer bikes, they seem quite expensive though unless i'm looking at the wrong ones?

if you have any suggested links, i'd appreciate them so i can check it out properly, ta!

 

[CamR]

Thanks for all the responses.

Why is a Crosser less comfortable than a road bike?

Cam