CX Bike - necessity or just because I want it?

[grellboy]

I have reserved a cx team at Halfords but have not picked it up yet. On the way home tonight as I cycled on my specialized Allez a thought occurred to me. I want a cx bike a) because it will give me some variety going off road etc and b) because it is shiny and nice. However, could a similar purpose not be served by just putting some cx type tyres on my current bike? I know it won't have disc brakes, mud clearance etc, but would the correct tyres not give me an adequate experience without lashing out six hundred notes?

 

[Dayvo]

I'm in exactly the same, err, boat, gb.

I've got a good road bike (CAAD 10 105) but have decided I want to get this

for no other reason than it'll give me more variety and that it's nice and shiny (exactly as you said ). It's also a no. + 1, but the main reason is that I'm going to do this https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/205-6-miles-in-a-day-but-just-the-once-summer-2016.185409/ and want a more 'comfortable' set-up with wider tyres.

Just buy it!

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've done just what the OP suggested - cx tyres on a frame with caliper brakes, limited clearance etc, and it wasn't a very happy experience, VERY quickly clogged with mud, paint worn away on the chainstays near the bottom bracket. Just go and get the CX Team, you know it makes sense

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Does the Allez have enough frame clearance to take CX tyres?

 

[grellboy]

Good point. Just had a look, probably about 1cm clearance at mo, so probably not tbh!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

So N+1 it is then.

 

[steveindenmark]

Ive saved myself about £1600 three times this week. I keep looking at a steel Audax bike online. It is beautiful.

But I have a 2 year year old Koga Roadchamp with Shimano 105 all the way through and 30 gears. It is lighter than the audax bike I am lasting after and has a hub dynamo and B&M lights. It has 28c Schwalbe marathon plus and a Tubus rack and a Brooks B17 saddle. I have even changed the rear cassette to make it easier on hills. The bike is like new.

I am looking at the Audax bike to ride Lejog next year but the Koga Roadchamp is well up to the job. In fact it is perfect for the job. Just describing it on here just convinced me more.

But the only bike you buy out of necessity is one to get you to work and back. The rest are just luxury items. Even if we try and convince ourselves that they are necessities.

 

[vickster]

If you want it and can afford it, buy it

 

[grellboy]

Well I have saved £40 p/m this past week on future bills by changing elec/insurance/phone contracts, so technically I will still be better off even with a new bike! Although there is always that annoying " but you could spend it on (insert something worthy) instead!" Lol!

 

[Aunty Tyke]

Well I have saved £40 p/m this past week on future bills by changing elec/insurance/phone contracts, so technically I will still be better off even with a new bike! Although there is always that annoying " but you could spend it on (insert something worthy) instead!" Lol!

Do it!

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

You need a Planet X London Road

 

[User33236]

As said if you want it, can afford it and have the space it home then go for it.

My CX was a completely different animal to my road bike and I love commuting on it (till if got written off when hit by a car!) The replacement was sold as a road bike but with the frame spacing for wider tyres and excellent (hydraulic) disc brakes it's everything by CX was but stops better

 

[grellboy]

Do

Just done it! Now gotta get it past the missus!!

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Ahh, but, are you going to race Cyclo-Cross on it??

 

[grellboy]

Probably not. I live on the East Coast (Norfolk) and have a very limited range of roads to ride on (recently looked at OS map of Norfolk and discovered i actually live on an island!!). So have gone for cx because there are loads of off roads/ footpaths etc so should hopefully give me a much greater choice and stave off tedium.