Raleigh or CdeF?

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lesley_x

Über Member
Location
Glasgow
Looking for some opinions on these bikes for an upcoming purchase...

I have the opportunity to purchase a Raleigh RX Comp for significantly less than the £1k retail price.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-rx-comp-cross-apex-2015/

01-IMG_2074-620x402.jpg


I had initially had my heart set on the Genesis Croix de Fer 10.

I am not 100% happy with the own branded steel so if anyone has any opinions there I would be grateful. Components not exactly what I would want but hey, they can be changed.

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-10-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073913

genesis-croix10-15-1000.jpg


My other alternative is to hold out a little longer and purchase the Croix De Fer 20, which to me has a pretty boring colourscheme and that's the only reason I am put off to be honest! I have had a test ride of it and it's lovely if a little heavy.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-20-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073914

genesis-croix20-15-1000.jpg


I am extremely grateful for any opinions as I rushed into buying my Giant TCX and got completely stung!

Cheers
 

Stantheman

Senior Member
I would go for the Croix De Fer 20, only because I want one. Or hold out even longer and get the Croix De Fer 30. Not help really sorry.
 

Kestevan

Last of the Summer Winos
Location
Holmfirth.
Personally I'd go with the Raleigh.

It's a lot better spec (SRAM Apex is a cracking setup, much better than the low end Shimano), and tbh the bike looks pretty nice too.... Raleigh seem to have toned down the number of "labels" festooning the frame and the paint scheme looks excellent.
 

Dan B

Disengaged member
I have the 2014 Croix de Fer, which it looks like the Croix de Fer 20 is this year's replacement for (Reynolds 725 frame), and I'm very happy with it. The Raleigh looks from the picture like more of a race bike (though admittedly it still has bottle cage bosses), I guess you need to give us some more detail about what you want it for.
 
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lesley_x

lesley_x

Über Member
Location
Glasgow
I realise now I haven't indicated what I want it to do. I want to use off road paths, canal towpaths, easy trails, anywhere I can't take my road bike. I want a rear rack to let me get my shopping and let me ditch the backpack when I'm out on long rides. Discs because the mini vs on the TCX were a nightmare, constant adjustment and got blocked with crud all the time. Comfort is not a huge factor but it is a factor. I don't want an out and out cyclocross, from what I've read the Raleigh geometry is quite relaxed.

I also do not want a really high bb as my TCX had, I hated it, my knees hit off my elbows in the hoods, terrible fit. Giant have revised this now and dropped the bb :rolleyes:

The other option is the Diverge which is the replacement for my secteur which I love, but I find them so boring to look at I'm not sure I could part with the cash, I need to really like the way my bike looks tbh. If anyone thinks this looks awesome please tell me haha

1407474190154-nevogwf8dkf3-700-80.jpg


If the CdeF 20 had a more inspiring paint job I think it would be purchased already.
 
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I am not 100% happy with the own branded steel
What is it you're not happy about with the Mjolnir?

If you like a steel frame and want something with a relaxed geometry that can shift on tarmac or off-road, and take a rack, have you considered Raleigh's Maverick range?

I nearly bought one of these myself before going for a Genesis - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-mav...nBU9abom_dc|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360677305uk

Or this next model up has great spec and is going for a song if it's your size and the 'soiling' is minimal -
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-mav...nBU9abom_dc|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360694609uk
 
If the CdeF 20 had a more inspiring paint job I think it would be purchased already

Or, as another oprion the Genesis Equilibrium Disc range have far better paint jobs than the CdF range -

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc/equilibrium-disc-10

Admittedly they're not designed as CXs but the geometries and gearing ratios aren't that different I don't think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and the Disc 10 comes with CX wheels which you could easily slip some 32mm knobblies onto. That way you'd be getting a lighter and much better looking bike that can do the things you have said you're looking for. Though again you'd be looking at the own-branded steel at your price range, unless you were willing to shell out £1,500 for the Disc 20.
 

shadow master

Well-Known Member
Or, as another oprion the Genesis Equilibrium Disc range have far better paint jobs than the CdF range -

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc/equilibrium-disc-10

Admittedly they're not designed as CXs but the geometries and gearing ratios aren't that different I don't think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and the Disc 10 comes with CX wheels which you could easily slip some 32mm knobblies onto. That way you'd be getting a lighter and much better looking bike that can do the things you have said you're looking for. Though again you'd be looking at the own-branded steel at your price range, unless you were willing to shell out £1,500 for the Disc 20.
Looking for some opinions on these bikes for an upcoming purchase...

I have the opportunity to purchase a Raleigh RX Comp for significantly less than the £1k retail price.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-rx-comp-cross-apex-2015/

01-IMG_2074-620x402.jpg


I had initially had my heart set on the Genesis Croix de Fer 10.

I am not 100% happy with the own branded steel so if anyone has any opinions there I would be grateful. Components not exactly what I would want but hey, they can be changed.

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-10-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073913

genesis-croix10-15-1000.jpg


My other alternative is to hold out a little longer and purchase the Croix De Fer 20, which to me has a pretty boring colourscheme and that's the only reason I am put off to be honest! I have had a test ride of it and it's lovely if a little heavy.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/croix-de-fer-20-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec073914

genesis-croix20-15-1000.jpg


I am extremely grateful for any opinions as I rushed into buying my Giant TCX and got completely stung!

Cheers
Have you looked at the Merida CX 500 amazing value at £999...22 speed 105,carbon fork thru axle,discs, and all weighting sub 10kg!
 
I'd go with the Raleigh - SRAM and a really nice paint job (and I have a genesis)
I agree that if it has to be Raleigh RX vs CdF10 I'd go for the Raleigh too, and I pick up my new Genesis on Sunday :hyper:

Having sat on one of each though I'd def say the RX felt more racy and like it'd be a less comfortable riding position over distances than the CdF.
 
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lesley_x

lesley_x

Über Member
Location
Glasgow
Hey guys thanks for all the replies. I had decided on the raleigh and arranged to meet and view and it got sold from under me :cry:

I was not 100% happy with the spec of the croix de fer 10 although I love the colour, and the white ones spec was great but find the colour boring and it's pretty damn expensive. Not sure I could drop £1200 on my 'second' bike.

So a 2014, as if by fate, a brand new, unused, still with packaging on, in my obscure size, croix de fer appeared on ebay and I got it for an absolute steal. I could not refuse it for the price. Boring colour I know (black, sorry @vickster !!) but for the money I've saved I can get it painted any colour I want ^_^ That's the plan. When I get bored of black I'll get it repainted in a nice bright colour! It will still be the Reynolds 725 frame I wanted underneath.

Anyway it's getting delivered today! :dance: Can't wait!
 
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lesley_x

lesley_x

Über Member
Location
Glasgow
Have you got some concerns based on the ride of the Mjolnir, or things you've heard? Or just not keen because it's not got the name/pedigree of a Reynolds?

To be honest, it's not that I've heard anything bad about the mjolnir, more just that I've heard so many good things about the Reynolds frame. I wanted to go with that frame on that basis. I don't know anyone with the mjolnir steel and can't find any reviews online either, couldn't take the plunge on a frame I couldn't find any information about really. Also the one I got a test ride on was 725 and it was lovely
 
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