New Bike - Choices... CX or Road?

[Joffey]

Sorry to bore everyone again with what I am sure has been covered before but I really can't make my mind up what to do.

I am gonna get a bike on C2W and was browsing various road bikes online and came across the Corratec Dolomiti 105 which looks amazing value for money but no matter how hard I try to convince myself that that's the one I keep gazing at the Boardman Team CX from our friends at Halfords...

Now I'm not going to be doing any cyclocross but I'm a big lad and thought the frame and wheels would be stronger, the bike a bit more comfortable (would put some road tyres on it), the brakes better than road bike brakes and it has some 'dual brake levers' which as I ride predominately on the bars would come in handy.

I cycle usually between 40-80 miles a week on poor country roads full of gravel and pot holes.

Am I sane to be thinking about the Boardman with it being nearly £400 more or should I just go for the Dolomiti?

I think I love the Boardman though... bloody bikes!! Haha

 

[vickster]

A CX sounds ideal for you. 10% off at Hellfrauds with BC membership (although not if C2W)

Otherwise, if you ride mostly on the bars, do you actually need to pay the premium for drops & STIs? Boardman do a good disc braked flatbar

 

[Joffey]

Being a fat lad I like drops do I can change hand position cos my hands ache a bit. It's a difficult decision!! Lol

 

[vickster]

Bar ends

 

[Joffey]

Didn't even think of bar ends!! :-)

 

[Joffey]

Anyone else got an opinion?

 

[The Jogger]

I have the cx and it is an excellent all round bike.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Get the CX & put some Marathon Supremes on it - job done.

Will be quick, comfy and pretty bullet proof for many years.

 

[SquareDaff]

I've got the CX - it's a great piece of kit. Mine does the year round commuting duties no problems and covers the same sorts of mileages you're talking about. I could rattle on about it's pro's and cons for ages as I do all my own maintenance so know it inside out (literally) - won't bore people on here but if you want to know anything then feel free to ask.

What I would say about any bike purchase is "go with your heart". Get the bike you really want 1st off and you're less likely to get itchy feet in another few months!!

 

[The Jogger]

[Exactly what I've done. ="SpokeyDokey, post: 2605912, member: 19480"]Get the CX & put some Marathon Supremes on it - job done.

Will be quick, comfy and pretty bullet proof for many years.[/quote]

Exactly what I've done.

 

[Moda]

Sorry to bore everyone again with what I am sure has been covered before but I really can't make my mind up what to do.

Am I sane to be thinking about the Boardman with it being nearly £400 more or should I just go for the Dolomiti?

About 6 weeks ago I too was in the same position. Should I get a race bike (full carbon Fuji) OR a CX bike.

I decided on a CX due to a longish commute on London's crappy roads. Top of my list was Boardman as I've heard so many good things about them. Have to say that looking at the Boardman CX Pro I was completely underwhelmed for the price but to be honest I'm not an expert in the field. Main disappointment was the wheels.

Anyway I went for a Moda Calore upgraded from SRAM to Ultegra which compared to the Boardman was a complete no brainer despite the slightly higher price. Yes I know it's out of your budget but the point I want to make is that whatever bike you go for make sure you get a couple of other bikes to compare it to. Your Boardman might look good but you might find better value elsewhere.
Cheers

 

[Pale Rider]

Speaking of other bikes, Herr Rose has been mentioned in another CX thread.

Their cheapest CX is about £150 more than the Boardman.

Couldn't comment on the spec, but I own a Rose trekking ebike and can say Rose bike quality is first rate.

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/bike/rose-pro-dx-cross-2000/aid:611965

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have a Giant TCX1. Purchased after much faffing around trying road bikes and then CX bikes (Ridley, Giant & Stevens).

What I like about CX bikes is the ability to fit fatter tyres (my Marathon Supremes are 32mm) that soak up the rubbish roads where I live plus I can do the occasional fire trail in the forests, green roads plus a hack round my local woods if I feel like it. So I get all that plus it's a quick enough road bike - my mate has a Ridley CX and he averages 19/20mph on hilly rides (I get nowhere near that btw) which is more than reasonable.

I also like the handling better. The road bikes I tried (Trek 2 Series, CAAD 8/10, Synapse, Secteur/Allez) felt twitchy and nervous to me. I am told that my bikes handling is sluggish which is strange, basically I just push down in the direction I want to go and the thing turns pretty smartish.

The longer wheelbase and tyres make for a plush ride (not like an MTB though) but more than good enough for me.

As for weight, they may be a tad heavier than a similarly priced road bike but it's marginal stuff and my bike feels pretty damn light to me.

CX bikes tend to have wheels with more spokes too which for me seems like a good idea (mine are 32). 16 spokes may be great if you are 10 stone but maybe not so good for my 13 and a half!

 

[Joffey]

Just been down and reserved the Boardman. Just hoping the C2W goes through!

I'm currently riding a Carerra Virtuoso Ltd so the Boardman is like a Ferrari in comparison. It's a good 2kg lighter, better brakes, more comfortable riding position etc etc.

Fingers crossed I get it :-)

Thanks for all your advice!