First CycloCross / Road bike

[latusaki]

I am now sure how to choose between two CX bikes. They are the following:

http://www.feltbicycles.com/Italy/2015/Bikes/Cross/FX-Series-83946/f95x.aspx

and

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/tread-11-disc

Their price tag is the same (750 vs 720). I will be using the bike 90% on the road, and the sometimes offroad when I get the chance. It is more important to me to be comfortable, than increase my top speed by 5km/h. My aim is to built up to having long rides (3h+) around Yorkshire (UK). I am not sure how much I will be using them during the winter, but possibly I will use them when the weather is not terrible. This bike will be only used for leisure, as I already have a fold-bike for inside the city.

Also, I can test ride the Fuji, Felt is online

What do you guys think ?

 

[vickster]

Why are you wanting a cross bike rather than a roadbike with a triple groupset for example, assuming it's hilly around you? Are you also going to ride off road (you mention 10% non road), especially if you plan to essentially just use it in good weather. You'll have a much wider choice and get better components with a roadbike . Your first link just goes to the Felt homepage so not sure which bike you are considering. I'd look at something like a cannondale synapse. Also no real need for disc brakes on dry roads

E.g http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5460/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-TIAGRA-TRIPLE-2014. Likely a couple of kilos lighter than the weighty Fuji at 11.35kgs

 

[latusaki]

@vickster the reason I am choosing a cyclocross over road is comfort. The models I linked have a more vertical position, and given the 33c tyres they will result in a more relaxed and comfortable riding.

p.s The first link is working for me, the bike model is Felt f95x

 

[vickster]

Doesn't look much between them. The Felt looks much better IMO, the Fuji has the higher 10 speed groupset

The 33mm tyres will however slow you down, a more upright endurance type bike on 25mm tyres might be an option. Or a steel frame, mine is very comfy on 25mm tyres with its carbon fork (OK the saddle isn't so much but it looks good on the bike )

Have you looked at the Whyte range? 28mm tyres and disc brakes, but definitely road oriented

e.g. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/whyte-sussex-15?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes
or http://www.rutlandcycling.com/147832/products/whyte-dorset-2014-road-bike.aspx (I'd find the extra for that with Tiagra and carbon fork)

 

[Joffey]

There are plenty of road bikes that are as comfortable as those CX bikes, like vickster said, from what you describe your riding will be the CX bike seems unnecessary.

If it was me I would go with a road bike with a relaxed geometry, as light as possible and capable of fitting some 28c tyres. I wouldn't even worry about disc brakes, as said previously, you won't need them on dry roads.

 

[latusaki]

Ok maybe you guys are right. I will be visiting evans today, I will ask to test ride a road bike as well. Im thinking that this one seems to be a good deal, and the geometry is similar to the Fuji CX ...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolomite-five-2015-road-bike-ec071300

 

[vickster]

Be aware that the pinnacle has SRAM gear levers rather than shimano. Not worse ( in fact I prefer) but different in operation and feel

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Ok maybe you guys are right. I will be visiting evans today, I will ask to test ride a road bike as well. Im thinking that this one seems to be a good deal, and the geometry is similar to the Fuji CX ...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/dolomite-five-2015-road-bike-ec071300

Not really - personally I think road bikes ride like a bag of nails when shod with skinny tyres.

I also thought that current thinking was that wider tyres actually roll faster (like for like tyres apart from size).

I'd wager that a lot of road bike riders would be happier riding a CX bike - in reality there is not a great deal of difference apart from comfort. A tad heavier and not so twitchy and maybe different gearing.

 

[vickster]

I think the rolling difference debate is for 23-25mm tyres.

Try steel for comfort on grotty roads . Mine isn't twitchy. A high bottom bracket a la cx wouldn't suit me either

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I think the rolling difference debate is for 23-25mm tyres.

Try steel for comfort on grotty roads . Mine isn't twitchy. A high bottom bracket a la cx wouldn't suit me either

No - I've definitely read it being for tyre widths other than those. I'll try and Google if/when I get a mo'.

Re: bottom bracket drop. Not a lot in it on some bikes these days. My TCX1 is 6.7cm vs a road bike of what 7-7.5cm?

I have had a steel bike before (back when Saracen was a good brand and made the higher end models semi-custom ie you selected the bike, then they built it and would swap out components etc before delivery) and it was nice but I doubt it would soak up the same amount of road imperfections as eg 35mm tyres.

I think we all like different things and a few years back when i was looking for a new bike I did try various road bikes including carbon and tbh it was a salutary reminder to me of just how uncomfortable bikes with super-skinny tyres are. Hence my eventual purchase of a CX.

 

[latusaki]

Hello again, I tried two road bikes, (the pinacle and a trek one) as well as the fuji CX. Even though I could definitely feel the speed difference, the comfort of the CX was on a different level, so I will be buying the Fuji ! Fingers crossed for the finance now, or my wallet is going to bleed Thank you all for your suggestions !

 

[jim55]

Frame material has not got a lot to do with comfort , it's tyres that make the biggest difference

View: http://youtu.be/JjYNIaI26EQ

 

[3narf]

CX bikes do seem to be good value, but with a lot of them, weight seems to be approaching mountain bike levels...

 

[SpokeyDokey]

CX bikes do seem to be good value, but with a lot of them, weight seems to be approaching mountain bike levels...

MTB's must be getting really light then.

Apart from tyres/tubes/possibly wheels there is very little weight difference between a like for like (price point and frame material) road bike and cx bike.

 

[3narf]

Ye

MTB's must be getting really light then.

Apart from tyres/tubes/possibly wheels there is very little weight difference between a like for like (price point and frame material) road bike and cx bike.

Yes, admittedly expensive mountain bike levels!