Newbie, cyclocross or road?

[mick160]

Hi all,
Starting to get a bit hooked on this cycling lark...
I currently use a Specialized Hardrock with slick tyres and most of my riding is probably tarmac. Did 19 miles last night which was probably 90% road/cycle path and a couple of short sections of trail/gravel.
So Iam thinking of getting a new bike bit can't decide between road or cyclocross?
If I bought a road bike i would be losing out on getting off the tarmac and on to the trails. If Ibought a cyclocross bike over a road bike what would I be losing out on, outright speed?
The bike would be used all year round too, possibly more during winter than summer.
Decisions, decisions...
Maybe I should just stick with what I've got...
Cheers.

 

[arch684]

but if you buy a road bike and keep the specialized then you have the choice of both road and trail anyway

 

[GravityFighter]

I've just gone through this dilemma for my first ever 'proper' bike. Research led me to believe Cyclocross seems to be the marketing word for today's "do it all bike" - some are more touring / road focussed (Genesis Croix de Fer) and some will have a more sporting CX setup - like the Cannondale CAADX 105 that I went for, partly because I will do a lot of canal, towpath and trail riding and partly because it was a bargain from Edinburgh Bike Coop.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with a CX bike, and you can always fit slicker tyres if you find yourself doing more road-based riding. Mine feels great on tarmac, although admittedly I don't have abenchmark to base that feeling on. If it's mainly lightness and speed you're after, I'd agree with the above and maybe plump for an out and out roadie.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

CX for me - better ride, more versatile - probably a better choice than a road bike for many people whose new road bikes end up hanging from garage rafters festooned with spiders webs because they were 'twitchy' and uncomfortable.

 

[mick160]

but if you buy a road bike and keep the specialized then you have the choice of both road and trail anyway

I am erring towards this direction at the moment. Buy a road bike and stick some knobbly tyres back on the mountain bike for off road excursions/going out with the kids etc...

Still undecided though...

 

[Paul.G.]

For me CX is the best way to go and if you can stretch to the cost, do as I did and buy a second pair of identical wheels. One set has full-on cross tyres for riding trails, canal paths etc and perfect for winter. The second set is fitted with Marathon racers for longer road rides. Most cross bikes take full mudguards and racks so make perfect touring options. My current and second cross bike is a Kinesis crosslight which I bought new in May this year, lovely bike and so nice that my lovely made to measure Colnago Master X light that I had built from scratch, wheels and all, has not turned a wheel all year, I just love the flexibility the cross bike gives me over a full on road bike. Hope this is helpfull.

 

[borse2008]

In the same predicament, mick think im going to do the same thing and get a road bike weighed up two bikes from planetx to go off.

Got a specialised mtb that i did 100km on at the weekend, did it but it was a challenge.

CX are great dont get me wrong but still wouldnt feel confident on a cx going on trails with it to be honest.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

In the same predicament, mick think im going to do the same thing and get a road bike weighed up two bikes from planetx to go off.

Got a specialised mtb that i did 100km on at the weekend, did it but it was a challenge.

CX are great dont get me wrong but still wouldnt feel confident on a cx going on trails with it to be honest.

I use mine in Grizedale Forest and it is terrific on trails - very quick and secure on the long winding fire trails.

 

[mick160]

Hi all,
Thanks for all your input
Seems the cyclocross bikes are pretty popular
However after doing 23 miles the other night on the mtb and all on road I think I have decided to go for a road bike and stick some knobbly's back on the mtb for off road use. (if I can persuade the wife to let me spend some money we don't have ).
Cheers.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Hi all,
Thanks for all your input
Seems the cyclocross bikes are pretty popular
However after doing 23 miles the other night on the mtb and all on road I think I have decided to go for a road bike and stick some knobbly's back on the mtb for off road use. (if I can persuade the wife to let me spend some money we don't have ).
Cheers.

Good luck with it - I rejected road bikes as they are just plain uncomfortable with the skinny tyres.