Recommend Cyclocross

[simonf7]

Hi,

Bit of bike newbie - been using the same mountain bike for nearly 20 years! I'm looking to upgrade for my commute as I'm feeling I want to go faster on the flat bits and am running out of gears.

The commute is half road, half old railway line and after visiting the bike shops in the city was told that a cyclocross would be best as I'd be able to get down on the exposed windy bits easier. I was also told carbon forks would be the way to go to help on the railway line?

These are the bikes I was recommended -

Halfords - Boardman CX Team Bike £899.99 less 15%

CyclesUK - Specialized Diverge A1 2015 Black and Cyan £750.00

Evans - Cannondale CAADX Sora Disc 2015 Cyclocross Bike £799.99

Any comments? I don't want to be messing around upgrading components etc, just something I can buy and go.

Thanks,

Si

 

[vickster]

Join British cycling, get another 10% off at halfords plus legal and 3rd party indemnity covers high make it pretty cost effective. I also like SRAM shifters myself

Of the other two, the cannondale has better groupset

Or if confident of buying online and it's the right size, this
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s23p5171/CANNONDALE-CAADX-105-2013

105 groupset rather better than than on the specialized or cannondale...and it's not black

 

[simonf7]

Or if confident of buying online and it's the right size, this
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s23p5171/CANNONDALE-CAADX-105-2013

105 groupset rather better than than on the specialized or cannondale...and it's not black

Thanks, I work quite near to Dereham so might give them a ring tomorrow and see if they have that made up

Cheers

Si

 

[simonf7]

With the chain set, how do the numbers equate to difference in speed - am I right thinking the Cannondale would be slower than the Boardman?

Cheers

Si

 

[vickster]

Is 56cm the right size? Assume you are 6 ft or so? I'd be surprised if they have that built but you can only ask

 

[vickster]

With the chain set, how do the numbers equate to difference in speed - am I right thinking the Cannondale would be slower than the Boardman?

Cheers

Si

I don't know, I'm not a fast cyclist, I'm rubbish on hills though so I choose gearing that makes those easier! Speed comes more from the engine than the gearing it seems! The 105 Cannomdale should be lighter though

 

[jnrmczip]

Giant anyroad 2 £849 own one myself and love it commute is excellent cyclocross bikes are extreamlabs comfy to commute giant also has eyelets for mudguards and panniers if needed weight is good speed is good 27 gears hills are easier. Hope you find one you like as much as I like mine

 

[jnrmczip]

P's I'm 5ft 10 and the medium to large option fits perfect.

 

[simonf7]

Giant anyroad 2 £849 own one myself and love it commute is excellent cyclocross bikes are extreamlabs comfy to commute giant also has eyelets for mudguards and panniers if needed weight is good speed is good 27 gears hills are easier. Hope you find one you like as much as I like mine

I was hoping to narrow my options not widen them Discovered there's a Giant dealer in Norwich, so will head there when I get a chance.

I'm 5ft 11 but Halfords only had the 55.5cm CX Team to try which seemed ok, although I guess I should try the 57.5cm to make sure?

 

[jnrmczip]

I was hoping to narrow my options not widen them Discovered there's a Giant dealer in Norwich, so will head there when I get a chance.

I'm 5ft 11 but Halfords only had the 55.5cm CX Team to try which seemed ok, although I guess I should try the 57.5cm to make sure?

I'm 5ft 10 but I do have long arms so find the medium to large better I would definitely go try test ride the giant I don't think you will be disappointed but make sure you get a bike that fits that's probably the most important part

 

[vickster]

I was hoping to narrow my options not widen them Discovered there's a Giant dealer in Norwich, so will head there when I get a chance.

I'm 5ft 11 but Halfords only had the 55.5cm CX Team to try which seemed ok, although I guess I should try the 57.5cm to make sure?

57.5 will be rather big I would think, boardmans come up large, use different part of bike for their measurement. If between sizes, always go smaller

 

[simonf7]

I'm 5ft 10 but I do have long arms so find the medium to large better I would definitely go try test ride the giant I don't think you will be disappointed but make sure you get a bike that fits that's probably the most important part

Thanks, looks like it's going to be more of a challenge finding shops with the bikes in stock to actually sit on before actually choosing a bike!

Of the two at Halfords (who have stock), is the CX Team worth the extra £300 over the CX Comp - I see different component names, but they don't really mean much to me at the moment?

 

[ayceejay]

Guesswork on sizing is never a good idea. I think the Boardman is a good bet if you can find a shop that will offer a fit, not one that will have a fit if you ask.

 

[Cyclist33]

Guesswork on sizing is never a good idea. I think the Boardman is a good bet if you can find a shop that will offer a fit, not one that will have a fit if you ask.

Eh??

 

[jnrmczip]

Thanks, looks like it's going to be more of a challenge finding shops with the bikes in stock to actually sit on before actually choosing a bike!

Of the two at Halfords (who have stock), is the CX Team worth the extra £300 over the CX Comp - I see different component names, but they don't really mean much to me at the moment?

Just Google shimano group sets and it will bring up a list of them the more expensive supposidly the better would personally look for a mix of 105 or ultigra if you can get any of them you should be on to a winner