Should I sell the Boardman CX for a road bike?

[Kies]

I changed the 28c all terrain tyres on my spesh sirrus for 23c road tyres. The difference in speed is amazing.
Keep the cx and change tyres for thr type of riding you do.
I plan to put the 28c back on for autumn/winter riding

 

[steve52]

no noo and nooooooooooooooo

 

[HLaB]

I slicked up my brother's cyclocross earlier this year and tbh I don't think its far off a road bike, if anything the lower gearing made it a better climber on some routes. If I could only have one bike for commuting/leisure a cyclo cross would probably be my choice.

 

[lejogger]

I've got the boardman CX and a boardman team carbon upgraded with carbon bits and sram red gruppo and fulcrum Quattro wheels.

The difference between them is a lot especially climbing and racing. The carbon is so light and nimble, climbing is a doddle in comparison. The CX is on 23mm slicks and although I have guards and a rack, even when it's stripped down it's a bit of a lug.

Great bike though, it's just that for me its purpose is as a commuter first, winter club steed second and a tourer third. Not that it isn't capable of being a good all rounder - it really is... But it doesn't have the stiffness, or the acceleration, or make me feel as happy about riding it as the carbon does.

The problem is if you can only have one bike, because the CX is a lot more versatile.

 

[jamin100]

Hmm yeh apart from the mountain bike it's the only bike I can own...

Will swapping from 30c marathon racers to say 25c conti ultra gatorskins make a noticeable difference or not really ?

 

[TissoT]

you have to start some where... will run a little smoother ! also keep the tyre pressure up to max
then turn them legs over quicker/harder !

 

[Venod]

you have to start some where... will run a little smoother ! also keep the tyre pressure up to max

http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

Have a look at this article, good advice.

 

[mrmacmusic]

I've learned that the bike is only part of the equation – your level of fitness, what, how much and when you eat, how much sleep you're getting etc. (and what direction the wind's blowing) all affect your performance, regardless what bike is between your legs at the time!

I commute 14.3 miles each way, 5 days a week, and have the luxury of picking between either my Trek Madone 3.5 (standard spec except for 23c Durano Plus tyres and Crud RoadRacer II guards), or my Boardman Hybrid Comp, which has SKS Longboard mudguards and also sports a Hope Evo II/Stans Crest wheelset and 32c Schwalbe Supremes. Weight difference probably ~2.5kg, and gearing very similar.

Whilst both bikes handle differently (i.e. the Trek accelerates quicker and is more nimble and responsive), my average commute times are generally very similar – yes, my "top 20" has more Trek entries, but my fastest commute on the Trek was at an average of 19.1mph, and the Boardman 18.9mph. I can have a bad week and be slow on the Trek, and equally I can feel strong and have a great week on the Boardman. Of course, maybe I'm doing something wrong

I must admit I've been tempted by the CX in the past, and generally think a cyclo-cross machine that sits between the Trek and Boardman would be the perfect commuting bike for me. Currently very tempted by the new Whyte disc-equipped range ("Dorset" in particular) but need to check it has clearance for 'guards and my studded 35c Schwalbe Marathon Winters before reaching for the credit card...

 

[lejogger]

Hmm yeh apart from the mountain bike it's the only bike I can own...

Will swapping from 30c marathon racers to say 25c conti ultra gatorskins make a noticeable difference or not really ?

I've not used 30c marathon racers but when I first got my CX I used 25mm Schwalbe Marathon (not plus). If they're at all similar I found them quite heavy and slow in comparison to the 23mm Michelin Krylion Carbon that I have on at the moment.

The ride certainly won't be as comfortable but should be a little quicker at the right pressures depending on road surface.

 

[TissoT]

http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

Have a look at this article, good advice.

I think we have moved on , since this publication !

 

[SquareDaff]

Don't get this? I have a road bike (for longer rides) and a Boardman CX for throughout the year commuting. Over the same route the Boardman CX is about 1mph average slower than the road bike which considering the differences in weight (frame and rotational) and tyres (widths and tread patterns) didn't surprise me and not something I'd notice/bother about over distances of say less than 30 miles.

I'd be inclined to look somewhere else for the reasons you're friend is dropping you on descents.

 

[Venod]

Any excuse to post a Strava ride.

Done on a Kinesis pro 6 CX Disc with mudguards & 30mm Schwalbe Marathon Races.

http://app.strava.com/activities/74104719

 

[lejogger]

I commute 14.3 miles each way, 5 days a week, and have the luxury of picking between either my Trek Madone 3.5 (standard spec except for 23c Durano Plus tyres and Crud RoadRacer II guards), or my Boardman Hybrid Comp, which has SKS Longboard mudguards and also sports a Hope Evo II/Stans Crest wheelset and 32c Schwalbe Supremes. Weight difference probably ~2.5kg, and gearing very similar.

Whilst both bikes handle differently (i.e. the Trek accelerates quicker and is more nimble and responsive), my average commute times are generally very similar – yes, my "top 20" has more Trek entries, but my fastest commute on the Trek was at an average of 19.1mph, and the Boardman 18.9mph. I can have a bad week and be slow on the Trek, and equally I can feel strong and have a great week on the Boardman. Of course, maybe I'm doing something wrong

In the same manner I can commute in very similar times on the CX or the carbon, but over less than 15 miles you're not going to see huge differences at commuting pace. On the flat there's probably not a huge amount of difference in speed at all (once you get up to that speed), but if you're stop starting a lot then you'll pick up time accelerating on the lighter bike, and if you're climbing a lot then the times will start to get further apart.

Then of course once you start getting into more serious mileage you'll see the small differences count for a lot more.

 

[Venod]

I think we have moved on , since this publication !

So whats the latest advice ?

A more up to date article, same advice.

http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2011/05/03/facts-figures-myths-optimum-tyre-pressure

 

[lejogger]

Don't get this? I have a road bike (for longer rides) and a Boardman CX for throughout the year commuting. Over the same route the Boardman CX is about 1mph average slower than the road bike which considering the differences in weight (frame and rotational) and tyres (widths and tread patterns) didn't surprise me and not something I'd notice/bother about over distances of say less than 30 miles.

I'd be inclined to look somewhere else for the reasons you're friend is dropping you on descents.

I think when the OP states 'decent hill' he means ascents rather than descents

...so I can certainly see why a heavier, slower bike would cause him to be dropped on that terrain given two riders of similar fitness but on different styles of steeds.