Genesis CdA for cyclocross?

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modellista

Regular
Hi guys,

(if you're pushed for time just skip this bit and read the question at the bottom!)

I feel like the time for a new bike is approaching. I'm interested in something that can deal with fast trails, and I'm also looking for the potential to do cyclocross. Which is new to me, but there seems to be plenty of races available to novices in the north-east. I've been as a spectator and fancy taking part. I might give it a go once on a mountain bike to see if I like it, but after that I reckon a cross bike is on the cards, particularly as it would be handy for commuting and trail stuff over the winter.

I've already got a Genesis Equilibrium 20 which I love, along with a Giant Bowery single-speed, Triban 3 commuter, and Merlin Malt 2 MTB. All of which are great bikes, but there's nothing really suitable for winter road/trail use. The Merlin is slow on road, which is the reason I got into roadies in the first place. I love its disc brakes though. I don't want to use the Equilibrium in proper winter conditions: even though it actually says on the frame “four season thrills”, I think I'll spare it winter. I don't want to have to worry about rust, for a start, or faff about changing tyres.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying: what does anyone with experience of cyclo-cross think of the spec on the new Genesis CdA 20? Is the frameset geometry appropriate? It's the same geometry of the Croix de Fer according to road.cc, rather than the racier geo of the Volare it replaces. The TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes seem to get a lot of love. I like the idea of no front mech and just a 10-speed wide-ratio cassette, which seems to cover about 30-100 gear inches, which by my calculations should be plenty wide enough, if a little short on the top end – does that matter? I think there's too much faffing with gears in general, so no front mech suits my philosophy.

Give me a reason to get one! Ta.
 

SteCenturion

I am your Father
Because you need it in your life (there - done).

I can't really advise you as I have zero experience of cyclo cross.

Secretly, I would love to own the 2014 Boardman CX Team (I think) the one in that stunning liquid metal finish.

I don't know why, I will never do cyclo cross, I might do a canal tow path or easy- ish woodland trail but I don't yet need it, just WANT it.

Someone with some proper knowledge will be along soon to bamboozle us all with science & CX type speak.
 
OP
OP
M

modellista

Regular
Because you need it in your life (there - done).

I can't really advise you as I have zero experience of cyclo cross.

Secretly, I would love to own the 2014 Boardman CX Team (I think) the one in that stunning liquid metal finish.

I don't know why, I will never do cyclo cross, I might do a canal tow path or easy- ish woodland trail but I don't yet need it, just WANT it.

Someone with some proper knowledge will be along soon to bamboozle us all with science & CX type speak.

Cheers for this - yes I just want another Genesis! Their new much expanded 2015 range is incredibly desirable, but the only thing I really don't have is a crosser, so the CdA it has to be! Still not decided - don't really have any more bike storage room, for a start - but keep thinking about it.

The Boardman looks fantastic, and good value for money. I'm no expert, but isn't the bottom bracket a bit of a weak link when it comes to getting wet and muddy?
 
OP
OP
M

modellista

Regular
A couple of interesting threads I've come across re: gear ratios:

Here they seem to advocate a much lower gearing (albeit for mountain bike use), anywhere between 30T and 34T up front rather than the 42T of the CdA...

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-size-chainring-on-your-1x10-or-1x11-29er

And here 42T or 44T seems to be the way to go, and that's with road cassettes of, say, 12-28 or 11-32 maximum, so a narrower spread than the CdA's MTB-inspired gearing...

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/vie...12981657&sid=9826cb3b3dc4ec4d4f63e8ea4adfc7d2
 
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