Road bike or cyclocross

[Jfpklondon]

Hi all, going to buy a bike using the cyclescheme, it's simply too good a deal not to. Done some research and I am torn between a road bike or a cyclocross. The models I have boiled it down to are Whyte Suffolk. Cube Cross Race, Specialized Crux or Whyte Stirling. Intend to use the bikes the weekends on roads, toe paths, light trails, gravel paths certainly not bunny hopping through the forest

Any help / advice appreciated

 

[goody]

If it's the White Suffolk that comes with TRP HY/RD brakes then I'd get that. I've got a Cannondale CAADX with them fitted, much better than the mechanical disc brakes I've tried. With two sets of wheels one with knobblies and one with slicks it's a pretty versatile bike.

 

[vickster]

The stirling is a flat bar, fast one but neither a road bike nor cyclocross

 

[EasyPeez]

Cube Cross Race

Have you found somewhere that can actually get you one of these? 3 month wait is best I could find.

And the Whyte Suffolk retails at more than the scheme allows, unless you have found an older model in a sale somewhere, or have found a dealer that will let you top up out of your own pocket?

Other than that, Whyte, Cannondale and Cube would all be high on my wish list for a CX bike. Though not as high as Kinesis, Pearson or Shand
Focus bikes are worth checking out too, as are Raleigh's CX offerings and the record-breaking Genesis Croix de Fer range.

As to the actual question, I had the same dilemma as you recently. I came very, very close to buying a cyclocross bike. In the end I went for a road bike (but one with a more relaxed geometry, rather than a full-on racer) because I fell in love with it when test riding - the ride from the steel frame, the quality of the finish compared to some of the big US brands, the looks, the service offered at the LBS (free stuff thrown in, plus free servicing, labour and parts - if any are faulty - for a year).
I've had it 2 weeks, done 270 miles on it and am delighted with my choice.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/road-disc/equilibrium-disc-10

But I am also now looking for a CX bike already! So I guess if I were you, and you only have the space/funds for one bike I'd probably base my choice on the riding you'll do. If the tracks you have in mind are decent a good road bike with 25mm tyres will cope fine. And there's few better feelings than bombing along a country lane in the sunshine on a well set-up road bike. But if you intend to commute on bad roads the bigger tyres on a CX will offer more comfort/shock absorption. And if you want to fit mudguards and ride in all weathers, and have the option of heading along a woodland path/keep going when things get a bit muddy, a CX will cope with that stuff much better than a road bike.
Whichever you go for, I'd suggest maxing out the scheme on the bike, buying well and buying once. You can then always sign up to the scheme again next year and add another bike to the stable....