Road bike vs Cyclecross vs Touring bike

[dac]

Hi all,
Let's say I was cycling 12 miles each way to work that consisted of 8 miles straight tarmac road, 2 miles cobble stone road, and the final 2 miles stopping and starting around a city centre.
A 26" wheel mountain bike with road tyres is not the quickest (well others on road bikes are overtaking comfortably) so if I was looking for a bike that was quicker but provided stability, manoeuvreability, and grip for wet (rainy) city conditions, plus the ability to handle panniers, would you suggest a road bike, cyclecross, or touring biking?

Any particular make and model of the suggested type bike?
Is there really much difference between a road bike and cyclecross, and difference between a touring bike and a hybrid?

 

[MacB]

Most of it will come down to personal preference and intended useage, I know you have the commute but would you want it to double/triple up? Fast weekend, shopper, tourer as well as commuter maybe?

Firstly I'd decide on budget and then have a think about features it must have, ie rack mounts, full mudguard capability, type of handlebar, gearing...those should narrow it down a fair bit.

 

[dac]

I would say mudguards are important as I wouldn't want to arrive at work too covered in mud/spray.
The panniers are optional and they would only be holding some bits n bobs. They wouldn't carry anything large and I may not even decide panniers are required as I'd use a rucksack. Commuter will be the main, if not all, use of the bike. When cycling I would like to feel the bike has responsiveness especially in the wet. Comfort and strength would be a major plus too.
Not sure I understand what a double or triple up means?

 

[jnrmczip]

I'm over the moon to go with the cyclocross for the commute such a comfy ride compared to the road bike. Also mixed terrain is coped with perfectly. Giant anyroad 2 I purchased has eyelets for panniers and so on also if I wish to use them. The wider tyres are excellent and so are the disk brakes along with the fact there is also leavers on the bars which come in hand in built up areas and it's possible to sit upright comfortably.
Tyres my be thicker but doesn't make much difference I still get to work as quick sometimes quicker.
My personal opinion is go for a cyclocross but try test ride all 3 types see which you feel better with. P's I still use my road bike for longer runs and so on but don't think I'll ever go back to commuting on one the cyclocross just makes the commute much less hassle. And I don't feel restricted to just road use and I am less wary of punctures also seems to stand it's ground a bit better

 

[jnrmczip]

The gear range with the triple crank is excellent also hills become a lot easier

 

[MacB]

Not sure I understand what a double or triple up means?

sorry I just meant if you wanted a jack of all trades that could serve multiple purposes. If you don't plan on touring then I would look at something that can do the commute but maybe strip down for fast social/weekend rides. How much do you want to spend and do you prefer flat or drop bars?

 

[Thegreatthor]

I think I'd go for a cyclocross, but something like a Genesis Equbrilum might be good.

 

[dac]

All I have ever ridden is flat (straight) bars but with a road bike or cyclecross I understand the bars would be drop type - I'd just get use to them.
As for the budget well I would say £500 (that's not much I know) but I feel the importance is choosing the right type of bike and then I can always look for a second-hand version (i.e. a £800 bike to down to £400 or so).

 

[MacB]

At that pricepoint I'd say you'd get more bang for your buck by going with a fast hybrid, by that I mean a more road orientated flat bar bike. Here's a good example of what I mean:-

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...-15?bct=browse/bicycles/commuter-hybrid-bikes

they have a good reputation and are rated as good value

 

[vickster]

Or something like this. 15% off until the 13th, and another 10% off for British cycling members, new bike for under £400. Disc brakes etc

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes-and-classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-comp-bike

 

[bikingdad90]

If you are not afraid to go second hand you could pick up a gensis cdf/croix de fer/equilbrium off ebay.

I recently picked up a Croix de fer with carbon forks, 105 groupset (10 speed double), disc brakes (cable) all that was needed was a new bottom bracket. Got it for a smidge over £300.

 

[Joffey]

Get on eBay, a 2013 Boardman CX will do you. You might find one with mud guards already on if you are lucky!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardman-...513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf975fb01

 

[Debade]

The one thing you do not mention is riding style. The frame style of a touring bike will be a bit easier on your back. For that distance everyday, I might consider bicycle fit and purpose of design.

 

[GravityFighter]

For that distance everyday, I might consider bicycle fit and purpose of design.

^^Good advice^^. I bought my first adult bike, a cyclocross (Cannondale CAADx) last year because it was on a good offer and the shop told me it would do everything I needed it to; leisure rides, bit of commuting, some trail stuff, but 90% on the road.

What they didn't tell me was it's a relatively race-biased frame and low-geared, so I sometimes find myself in a less-than-ideal riding position (for a relative newbie) and I start to run out of gears when I hit 25 - 30mph. I've only had it 12 months and I'm already considering switching to a sportive / endurance road bike with a compact setup. I definitely should've considered my riding style much more before I bought.

Get to a few LBS', ride / sit on lots of different types and find a frame that's fit for purpose.

 

[dac]

Thanks for your responses.
Bicycle fit and purpose of design - is a great tip. So I looked up Sportive/Endurance Bike and to me they look like Road/Cyclecross bikes. In fact the Giant Defy was under the Sportive/Endurance bike section when I thought it was a road bike. Now I'm confused.
1) What is the difference between a Sportive/Endurance bike, a Cyclecross bike, and a Road bike?
2) Is there another bike type in that category or would the next bike up be a hybrid (to me the hybrid moves over the mtb style)?

Update: I've just come across something called an 'Adventure Bike' - how is this different between the types mentioned above? I'll throw in the 'Touring' bike too. Are they the same bikes but just given different names?