Road bike or cyclocross ... decisions!

[amasidlover]

Oh and whilst I'm usually a mudguard skeptic on the grounds of them being a nuisance to adjust and not minding getting wet, I did take a punt on the Whyte specific ones and so far they have not managed to irritate me too much...

 

[ChrisV]

I'm not technically minded, but it doesn't look like full 105? The front derailer is 105, but the rest is Tiagra. I think.

http://www.velocity44.com/products.php?plid=m20b0s6p3859

 

[KneesUp]

I'm not technically minded, but it doesn't look like full 105? The front derailer is 105, but the rest is Tiagra. I think.

http://www.velocity44.com/products.php?plid=m20b0s6p3859

I think something has gone wrong when they copied and pasted the spec - it has 10 speed Shimano 105 forks according to velocity44

Forks: Shimano RD-5700 105, 10 Speed

 

[vickster]

http://whyte.bike/2013/product.php?xProd=116&xSec=121

Specification
Weight10Kg
Frame6061 Hydro Formed T6 Aluminium, Custom Drawn, Multi Butted with Post Mount Chainstay Disk mount
ForkStraight Bladed Carbon Front Fork, with Eyelets, Post Mount disk mount, Tapered Steerer
Rear ShockN/A
HeadsetFSA Integrated Road, 1 1/2" lower and 1 1/8" upper Sealed Cartridge Bearings
Rear HubAlloy, Double Sealed Cartridge Bearing Hub, 32 Hole
Front HubAlloy, Double Sealed Cartridge Bearing Hub, 28 Hole
SpokesWTB PG 15g, Black Sandvik Stainless with Black Brass Nipples
RimsAlex Black Dragon 24, Deep Section, Disk Specific Road, 32 Hole Rear and 28 Front, Reflective 3M decals
TyresMaxxis Detonator, 700 x 28c, Black/Grey, with Puncture Protection, Folding
Shift LeversShimano ST-5700 105, 10 Speed
Front DerailleurShimano FD-4600 Tiagra, 10 Speed
Rear DerailleurShimano RD-5700 105, 10 Speed
CassetteShimano CS-4600 Tiagra 11-30, 10 Speed
ChainShimano CN-4601 Tiagra, 10 Speed
CranksetFSA Gossamer 34-50, 10 Speed, Compact Double
Bottom BracketFSA Mega Exo
SeatpostWhyte 20mm Offset, 27.2mm x 350mm, 2014 Alloy, 2 Bolt Clamp
SaddleWhyte Custom, Triple Panel Design
BarWhyte Road, 31.8mm, Compact "Wing" Bar, 440mm Wide
StemWhyte -6 Deg, 100mm 52cm, 110mm 54cm/56cm, 120mm 57cm
GripsWhyte Anti Slip, Cross Bar Tapes
Brakes FrontTRP HyRd, 160mm Rotor
Brakes RearTRP HyRd, 160mm Rotor
Brake LeversShimano ST-5700
PedalsFull Alloy with Toe Clip

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Does it really matter unless your racing? I dunno what typical CX gearing is, but even on the highest MTB gearing (44 front, 11 back) I don't spin out till I pass 30-35mph (i.e downhill). I'm sure on a CX bike that's quite a bit higher.

Yes I agree with you - I have TCX1 CX bike with 46/36 and 12-28. I rarely spin out and when I do it is on steep hills that I wouldn't really want to pedal faster on.

The beauty of the 10 tooth front difference is that you don't have that whopping great 50 to 34 drop to contend with.

***

Re OP - I think CX bikes are a tad maligned at times and would wager that for an awful lot of people that a CX would be preferable to a road bike.

They are more comfortable with fatter tyres and the fatter tyres (mine are 35mm) grip a darn sight better than the pencil thin 23mm road jobbies.

FWIW I tried a heap of bikes before I settled on mine including pretty expensive carbon framed road bikes from Cannondale & Specialised - they were both far less comfortable than my bike, no quicker for my limited abilities and tbh the front ends felt nervous to me.

 

[Biscuitfrisky]

As someone who was in the exact same position as you in relation to whether CX or Roadbike it.

I have a CX Specilized Tri Cross and stuck thinner slick tyres to help bring the speed up during weekend riding away from the commuting.

I will admit, that if I had the choice again, I would go for a road bike.

 

[Ootini]

I was in a similar position recently.

I decided to go for a 2012 model Ridley XBow with Tiagra components. It's been fine, I've got a set of GatorSkins to go on it as and when I increase my mileage on the road but for now it's still wearing Griffo knobblys.

 

[vickster]

I am being tempted by one of these...

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-the-rough-with-the-smooth.html

(Although it's a bit black)

 

[ChrisV]

The shop are saying that the Whyte Dorset is actually £999, which is £100 more than they said when I was in, and the same price as the Giant Defy 1.

I'm wondering if I should go for something maybe £700-800 and get lights/lock, but to he honest I think I'd rather get a better bike.

I was set on the Whyte Dorset but the price increase has annoyed me

 

[vickster]

Negotiate the price with them or go elsewhere

There are places online selling off the defy 1, like rutland cycles

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/advancedsearch.aspx?Term=Defy 1

...who incidentally have the 2014 Dorset on sale too, in a 56cm only tho

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/147832/products/whyte-dorset-2014-road-bike.aspx

 

[ChrisV]

Cheers for that.

It's a Cycle To Work scheme so can't buy online. I've contacted them to see about a price match so fingers crossed

 

[Ootini]

I thought quite a few of the online retailers accept C2W vouchers?

 

[ChrisV]

Do they?
I suppose the downside to that would be when something goes wrong and it needs fixed.

 

[Ootini]

I bought mine from a local shop, they were worse than most online retailers at fixing issues. I understand your concern though about return delivery etc.

I've never bought a bike from an online retailer but I've heard good things from those who have.

 

[ChrisV]

Well, had to decide today between the Giant Defy Composite 2 and the Whyte Suffolk.

My main aim is to cycle the majority of my commutes to work and potentially take part in longer rides (eventually).

The Whyte seems more set up for commuting, although the sexy carbon frame of the Giant was an attractive option.

I paid a deposit and will pick it up in next few days - what was the right choice from those two? (I'll be on phone to LBS in morning changing my mind if you all tell me I should have got the opposite bike from what I did!)