CX compared to Road

[grellboy]

Afternoon. Currently I ride a Specialized Allez which is 16 speed 11-32 rear cassette (I think). Have just seen the Boardman CX Team is now coming into my price range as was wondering if anybody could tell me how the two bikes would compare? The CX obviously is heavier with disc brakes and knobbly tyres but was wondering if anybody had any experience of riding both types of bike (or similar). If I changed the tyres in the Spring to 25 slicks for example, would the CX feel like a road bike (to my novice like hands?)?

 

[Saluki]

I have one of each. A roadie and a CX I mean. Both are Planet X.

The CX is much quicker than a MTB and the knobblies are smaller in knobbliness so don't make as much road buzz on the road, nor as much noise.
I was thinking of putting different tyres on the CX but haven't got around to it due to cost and the fact that I am on a very low income at the moment. However, Hubster has 32mm hybrid type tyres on his CX bike and it's a smooth and comfy ride IMO. It's still good off road but he does skid about a bit more on trails that have got a bit sandy, where as I don't.

The CX is great on tracks and whatnot, it's fine on the road. My CX weighs around 9kg so it's not hugely heavy. It's lighter than my Giant Defy that I had. The Defy weighed about the same as the Boardman CX so it's not hideously weighty.

Are you considering it for a winter bike, because as winter bikes go, CXs rock. Actually, as summer bikes go, they are not too shoddy either.

 

[L Q]

Afternoon. Currently I ride a Specialized Allez which is 16 speed 11-32 rear cassette (I think). Have just seen the Boardman CX Team is now coming into my price range as was wondering if anybody could tell me how the two bikes would compare? The CX obviously is heavier with disc brakes and knobbly tyres but was wondering if anybody had any experience of riding both types of bike (or similar). If I changed the tyres in the Spring to 25 slicks for example, would the CX feel like a road bike (to my novice like hands?)?

Keep your eyes on any flash sales as I have just bought the CX team for £585 with an extra 10% off. I am going to put some slicks on it till the winter then change the tyres back.

 

[outlash]

I also have one of each (both Cannondales) and if I had to get rid of one, it'd be the road bike. The crosser can do everything, the road bike can't.

 

[grellboy]

Yes, was thinking about it for Winter. Sounds like you guys like em.....and what's all this about flash sales? Just assumed they were an urban myth lol!

 

[Dayvo]

I've seen the Focus Mares AX 3 and HAVE to have it.

 

[Brandane]

I have a Specialized Tricross (CX), and also a Specialized Secteur (and a Trek 6500SLR MTB too). Both bikes are similarly geared Shimano Tiagra triples. The engine (me) is 53 years old and a bit knackered but reasonably fit; more of a marathon runner than a sprinter though. Currently the Tricross has 28mm Schwalbe Marathons fitted to a Spa cycles touring wheelset, while the Secteur has 25mm Specialized Armadillo All-Condition tyres on Shimano RS20's.

On a run of about 20/30 miles in similar conditions and terrain, at a rough estimate I would say the road bike might be 1 or 2 (at most) mph quicker. Comfort wise I prefer the CX, and as far as being a go anywhere workhorse is concerned, the CX wins every time. If I was forced to have only one bike, it would take me a nano second to decide on the CX.. It makes a not too bad tourer with panniers front and rear too!

 

[Dayvo]

I've seen the Focus Mares AX 3 and HAVE to have it.

Sorry, I posted too quickly in my excitement!

I have a CAAD 10 105 which is a great bike, but the appeal of having more of an all-rounder is immensely attractive. I think I'd put road tyres on it, but still do more on it than the CAAD which is a pure speed machine (for me).

 

[grellboy]

So I wouldn't notice a massive drop off in speed then if I had a cx? I currently average 16mph on a good day on my roadie.

 

[jnrmczip]

I have experiance of both and if I could only have one it would be the cx. The only down side which isn't a biggie are the tyres but I regularly change them to slicks to go out with the club and jobs done. To be honest though it's not to bad with them on either can still keep up well and look at it as training harder due to more resistance.

 

[PK99]

surely in the current market you shoukd be looking at a Gravel/Adventure road bike.

road geometry cx robustness.

 

[vickster]

Yes, was thinking about it for Winter. Sounds like you guys like em.....and what's all this about flash sales? Just assumed they were an urban myth lol!

Sign up to their emails. And join British cycling for further 10% off at Halfords and other more important benefits like legal cover

 

[mustang1]

I have a couple of road bikes and a couple of CX bikes (spesh allez, dale supersix, focus mares ax3, spesh tricross).

I agree with most of what the others said. The CX bikes can do most stuff but if I were to have only one bike, it would be a road bike because the one thing the road bike does well, it does bloody well: goes fast. Alas, its great to have a range of bikes to break up the riding style and I'm very happy with my CX bike also. I think the road bikes are faster not only because of the skinnier tires, but also the geo puts you in a position where you can apply power better.

Caveat: if you ask me on some other day, I might give you some other answer, but on the whole prefer road bikes.

Edit: the CX bikes have/had 35mm schwalbe marathon supreme and 32mm something tires, the road bikes have/had 25 conti gp4000s and gatorskins.

 

[vickster]

I assume the OP is adding bikes not replacing so he'll still have the allez

 

[ColinJ]

I have a CAAD 10 105 which is a great bike, but the appeal of having more of an all-rounder is immensely attractive. I think I'd put road tyres on it, but still do more on it than the CAAD which is a pure speed machine (for me).

That Focus CX bike was on my shortlist but in the end I stuck with Cannondale ...

I'm sure that it would be almost as nippy as my CAAD5 road bike if it had narrower, slick tyres on it. If you wanted to run just one bike and could afford it, I'd suggest getting a CX bike and an identical second pair of wheels. Have CX tyres on one, and slicks on the other, then it would only take a couple of minutes to switch the bike between road and offroad modes by changing the wheels over.