n+1 time... CX or tourer?

[MetalPig]

Hi all, im moving my old Trek hybrid on to a friend (i hate the darned thing!) and my roadie is struggling on the commute with luggage and the state of the roads round here. So as of next week i am hunting for my next bike. I kind of know what i want but don't really know what i want, if you know what i mean lol.
Basically, i need a road-style bike for commuting through winter, a bit more robust, with neccessities being full mudguards and rear rack mounts, also around 32c tyres, disk brakes desirable but not a deal-breaker if not, budget is around £600 - 700 but may be able to squeeze the kitty a bit tighter for the "right" bike. I've been thinking about cyclocrosses, such as the boardman comp as it seems to tick all the boxes (the Team seems better but not £300 better?). But the more i dwell on it and if im being brutally honest, it will be used 99% on the road and maybe only occassionally on the odd canal towpath, so maybe i would be better off with a dedicated tourer? Could do with any pointers you guys may have on this, thanks

 

[Brandane]

Sounds like you need a Specialized Tricross. Would be the low spec version to stay in budget, unless you consider used?
It can be used for touring, as I can confirm. Depends how serious you take your touring. The flex in the aluminium frame and carbon forks under load might not suit, in which case a steel frame would be better.

 

[vickster]

Boardman CX another option worth a look (especially with 10% british Cycling discount etc)

Or look at Edinburgh Bike's CX options

Either should give you higher specced components than the Tricross. That said Evans have a sale on Specialized at the mo

 

[MetalPig]

yeah, saw the tricross in my local shop a few weeks back but didn't really have a proper look at it, might pop in today after work. Expensive, but like i say, i could go over budget a bit if it is worth it.
Vixster, i do like the boardman bikes yes, and heard good things about them (although not so good about Halfords, but cant comment on that as I've never been in myself) so that is a possibility too.

Regarding touring... at the moment im just thinking about getting to work etc, but yes, next year there is a good chance i will be looking at getting a bit farther afield.

 

[vickster]

For a pukka tourer / audax type bike, have a look at the Dawes bikes on Spa's site. They are in Harrogate so you take a day trip up north and have tea at Bettys

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p0 Have a few options around your budget

 

[MetalPig]

Hmm... thanks for your help... was so sure i wanted a CX but having thought more about it i am leaning more towards getting a proper tourer as i think i will get more out of it in the long run. I do like the Dawes range (probably the Galaxy) and they should be right for me, just not so keen on the "look" lol, but i know that shouldn't be the first consideration Local shop has a nice Kona and a Surly but the kitty won't stretch to a grand!

 

[vickster]

Have a look at the Genesis equilbrium range too, although you need to fix a rack to the seat post clamp rather than the frame as rather daftly they don't have mount points. I am building one from the lush orange 2013 20 frame

 

[biggs682]

@MetalPig have a look at a Ridgeback Horizon very good tourers

 

[the snail]

Have a look at the Genesis equilbrium range too, although you need to fix a rack to the seat post clamp rather than the frame as rather daftly they don't have mount points. I am building one from the lush orange 2013 20 frame

Good bike, but not really suitable as a tourer and out of the OP's budget.
EBC do a decent spec tourer for about £650
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-explorer

 

[vickster]

Good bike, but not really suitable as a tourer and out of the OP's budget.
EBC do a decent spec tourer for about £650
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-explorer

The 20 is yes (unless do on the cheap, I paid £400 for the frame and forks), but not the 00 - it does say light touring, the OP is looking for a commuter at this point

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/15925...gin=pla?kwd=&gclid=CNWH18-szroCFWbMtAodtXsAvQ

 

[the snail]

I actually tried a little tour on my equilibrium this year, and I managed, but I didn't feel confident loading it up, and it was a little twitchy with weight on the back, and worried about puncturing on potholes. It was ok, but I realised how brilliant my ridgeback tourer is in comparison - horses for courses I suppose. For the OPs purposes I would go for something like the tricross, or a tourer, a better compromise for touring/commuting.

 

[MetalPig]

Well, so many options thanks for the links ppl, the equilibrium looks ok but maybe not my thing (i know you can get around it but i would prefer fixed rack mounts), the revolution explorer is also promising but as things stand i think (having researched t'internet all afternoon and thinking more long-term) dawes galaxy is the favourite, 640 notes from SpaCycles all in, has everything i'm looking for

 

[vickster]

Trip to Spa and Betty's then at the weekend

 

[MetalPig]

Its a possibility Sizing seems a little different for these bikes, looks like i need a 53cm frame whereas it would be a 56 road bike. I take it that's to do with the different geometry?

 

[MetalPig]

Well i plumped for the Dawes Galaxy in the end and, after a slight mishap where one of the rear mudguard fittings came off during its first outing yesterday morning, am very happy with it having said that, i may invest in a brooks saddle - not that theres too much wrong with the stock one, its just that i tried one out on another bike and it felt amazing! But, yeah, i took it to work this morning and its like riding a cloud compared to my road bike