Info for Tricross / CX

[Drew Stevenson]

I`m looking for information on tricross / cx bikes as a commuter & occasional recreational run.I have looked at Specialized but am not sure what else is on the market that would compare. I am waiting on cheque for a replacement for my Boardman hybrid comp which was wriiten off lost an argument with a car, any info will be much appreciated.

 

[Beebo]

what's your budget?

do you have any specific requirements ie which group set, carbon fork, disk brakes, rack / mudguard mounts?

 

[Drew Stevenson]

what's your budget?

do you have any specific requirements ie which group set, carbon fork, disk brakes, rack / mudguard mounts?

 

[jonathanw]

I commute on this and can recommend it.

Steel frame which is very comfortable. Bombproof disc brakes, relaxed geometry. Will take mudguards and a disc specific rack.

I would however swap out the 35mm knobbly CX tyres to make it run a little faster

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/47087/Geneis_Croix_de_Fer_Cyclocross_2012_Bike

Or the aluminium vapour also looks excellent if you want to save a bit of weight

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/47086/Genesis_Vapour_Disc_Cyclocross_2012_Bike

 

[jdtate101]

Tons of CX bikes out there. Cannondale, Fuji, Boardman, Genesis....the list goes on. Most will be Alu/steel with carbon folks, slightly lower ratio gears 46/39 and 12/28 (or something similar) and come with either Canti or disc breaks.

As mentioned by others, geometry is more relaxed and upright over a race bike (but not by much), and the bikes are tough. Most have lots of clearance for mudguards and quite a few have lugs for panniers/racks.

 

[Norm]

I've got a Tricross, used for commuting and plenty of recreational rides, it's brillig.

 

[Vikeonabike]

CX bikes are ideal for police work in an urban evironment, so anything a commuter can throw at it, it will cope with!

 

[smokeysmoo]

I had a Focus Mares AX 1.0 and it was fantastic, (another bike I rue ever selling!). Currently starting at £799 and rising to £1269.00 for the current 1.0 model.
I ended up putting slick tyres on mine, not so much for road work, but to stop me going 'off road' with it. I kept getting funny looks from MTB'ers as I went flying past them and decided my exuberance would probably end in tears, but the bike itself was unstoppable.
Check them out here; http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/search.cgi

 

[G-Zero]

Cube Cross Race, aluminium 7005 frame, Easton carbon forks, Shimano 105, Easton Aero wheels....... just under £1k.

I commuted right through the winter on mine and had full mudguards fitted, as well as a rack & pannier to get rid of my rucsac.
Very comfortable and confidence inspiring, even in the frost and ice. Regular commute at that time was 21 miles return, however I have since increased this to 48 miles return and the bike still feels good (I don't do this new mileage every day)

IMO the bike is well suited to commuting and I left the knobbly tyres on for the snow that never really materialised; plus it leaves me the ability to get off road onto local trails.

If speed and/or time are important factors in your commute, then consider changing over to slicks.

 

[Drew Stevenson]

Thanks for all the information it is much appreciated, I will have to wait on getting a settlement for my written off Boardman which will determine my budget hopefully I can squeeze a few quid more and get a half decent set of wheels, thanks again.

 

[lejogger]

I'll throw the Boardman CX into the ring... I use mine for Commuting, Touring, and general winter use including club rides. Never tried anything else similar (i.e. the tricross) to give a direct comparison, but it copes with all my requirements very well. I.e I've toured 800 miles around Ireland on it with full rack and panniers including tent and sleeping bag etc, I commute daily on it, and on last weekend's club run after 60+ miles of riding I got to the top of the London Bridge climb outside Denbigh in 4th place, 2 seconds behind one of our top riders on almost £10k worth of Pinnarello.
In other words it's very versatile.

Negatives have been niggly issues - a bit of disc brake tampering (the BB5 aren't the best available), snapped chain after 8 months (but I had done 3,000 miles), bottom bracket needed re-greasing (apparently a fairly common issue).
On the whole though it's been excellent value for money. (Especially through the C2W scheme).

 

[lejogger]

...hopefully I can squeeze a few quid more and get a half decent set of wheels...

Easier said than done if you're getting a cyclocross with disc brakes. If a wheel upgrade is a priority you might want to bear this in mind when choosing the frame.

 

[Drew Stevenson]

Again the information is appreciated, I will look at the Boardman as the hybrid I had was a pretty good bike, as for the wheels freudian slip meant that as a better standard bike

 

[jamin100]

+1 for the boardman cx. I use mine for commuting and its loaded up daily and copes with the 20 mile round trip perfectly