Cyclocross bikes as commuting/everyday bikes

[Crankarm]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/crossrip-elite-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec042112#features

This genre of bike seem to be coming of age. Disc brakes, all the lugs for fitting racks front and rear to carry luggage, reasonable frame clearance for fitting larger section tyres and mudguards. What is there not to like? The colour may be - battleship grey, yuck and low spec. A version with an Alfine 11 spd hib would be preferable imho, but I am still tempted though.

 

[Norm]

Genesis offer an Alfine hub on their Day One. Lovely bike, IMO, but I think that Gaz had issues with his BB7s.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-one/day-one-alfine-11

 

[Crankarm]

Hi Norm, I took a look at the Geneis last year. Indeed a lovely looking bike, but IIRC the rear disc brake caliper was mounted in the wrong position for easily fitting a rack ie the traditional MTB position not inside the rear triangle as with the above Trek cyclo crosser. A big fail imho. No I don't do disc specific racks with dog legs to get over the caliper problem as from an engineering pov they are prone to fatigue and failure imho.

 

[400bhp]

I'd looked at a disc brake commter/winter bike, but pretty much discounted them because of weight.

Someone made a spot on comment when I was looking - if it's relatively heavier than your current bike (which will be used in the summer/dry weather) you might end up ditching the winter bike and staying with the current set-up.

I decided against it as (for me) it would probably have got on my nerves when on hilly weekend winter rides.

Definately worth looking at.

 

[2pies]

Don't know that bike, but I can vouch for riding a CX style bike to work each day. My commute is 14 miles each way on terrible roads, so a CX style makes for a smoother ride. While I, occasionally, get overtaken by someone on a decent road bike, its still pretty fast. Also, when I come to ride my road bike at the weekend, it feels that much faster.

I put on 32mm Marathon Plus tyres and haven't had a puncture this year. Nothing worse than being late for work because of bike problems.

 

[potsy]

Had my CX commuter for a year now, still love the versatility of it, have the choice of a road or offroad commute without having to plan it the night before.
Wide tyres, full guards, rack and disc brakes, perfect commuting tool imo

 

[tigger]

There seem to be a lot of CC folk with one of these in their stable, including myself. I use mine for winter training which includes quite a bit of hard packed railway trails. I run 30mm Marathon Race tyres. on the flat I don't think its much slower than my carbon race bike. Would be a great commuter too and the brakes are mounted the right way for mudguards and racks.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/review-boardman-cx-team-11-45403

 

[fossyant]

If you don't have too many n+1's then it's a good option. If you already have too many, then it complicates it.

I run 3 23mm tyre road bikes, two that are none guarded, and a fixed, I can't get guards on the geared ones. The MTB is an old workhorse like the two road bikes, but I just stick on guards and spikes in winter for commutes, as I'm not an MTBer, so it's not essential it remains in off road mode. So in winter it's 23mm slicked fixed road bike or MTB with spikes. Cross bikes are quick off road though, very quick.

I am a roadie, so hence 3 bikes. The MT B was always a bit of fun. Really need a new modern MTB.