Cyclocross or upgrade

[Liamblink182]

Just after some advice, I'm currently commuting 7.5 miles each way every day on a Specialized Crosstrail.
Recently I've been contemplating a cyclocross for that extra bit of speed and comfort when compared to a hybrid. Problem is a decent cyclocross is £700 plus.

So my question is, is it worth shelling out for a cyclocross or would it make sense to upgrade the hybrid to lockout forks and some improved wheels?

Thanks

 

[vickster]

What types of roads do you ride on? Can get a road bike for way under £700 and put sturdier tyres on it if needed

I would first try changing the tyres on the Crosstrail to something less knobbly. Locck out forks will be heavy too

Edinburgh have Specialized CX bikes on sale if you want to go that route (and quite possibly other retailers too)

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specialized-tricross-24-11 (is the entry model)

Or you could go the used route

A bit depends if you just want to be a bit quicker or do really want a new bike and need to justify it

 

[Liamblink182]

I bought some schwalbe marathon tyres. I use mostly normal roads however i do use a cycle path which runs alongside a tramline too.

It would be nice to be quicker but also a big reason is bouncing around on the front suspension is annoying.

 

[vickster]

Ah then maybe lock out forks would work, or cann you peerhaps fit rigid forks to a Crosstrail (has similar geometry to the Sirrus)

 

[CopperCyclist]

If all you really want us a bit more speed over your 7.5 mile commute, then new tyres/wheels may be the way to go. Rigid forks may be better than lockout too, less weight.

If you want to gain miles though, doing extended runs or training rides, a cyclocross is a much more comfortable bike over longer distances - imho. Additionally, once you start popping out 30-50 mile 'training' rides like they're nothing, you'll fly over that commute

 

[MrJamie]

Have the forks got a preload adjuster you can use to make the ride less bouncy?

I've got Giant's equivilent of the Crosstrail (Sport iirc), with lockout forks and over relatively flat terrain locking the forks makes near enough sod all difference to average speed. The exception being hills and grinding a high gear where your weights moving on and off the pedals with each stroke. Maybe i've got an unpopular opinion about sus. forks, but in terms of the weight saving that always pops up, you're looking at say a 2kg suspension fork with lockout vs 0.5-1kg for a fixed fork, I don't imagine a 1kg weight saving making any noticable difference to speed over 7.5miles outside of competitive riding. Id be inclined to go for a set of lockout forks if you can't fix the bounce in yours, maybe even the cheapy £60 Suntour NVX/NEX types that come with the Crosstrail Sport (i think?).

I think you could spend a lot of money buying new lighter wheels, tyres, forks and if your commute is relatively flat see very little return for the weight savings and cost.

 

[Liamblink182]

I need some sort of suspension as I take the bike off road too, that why lockout would be ideal. Mine only has the very basic suspension with only the adjuster not full lockout.

This is why I fancy a cross it has everything I would like, however there expensive!

 

[MrJamie]

Yeah, I'd love a CX bike too but I think mainly for the drops and being a bit more aerodynamic, i'm forever browsing CX bikes online for when i have a grand lying around in my piggybank

Have you tried turning that adjuster on your forks all the way up?

 

[Liamblink182]

Yeah I've adjusted it as much as possible. I prefer the drops and like the position of a cx. I'm the same I'm constantly browsing!