So many ifs and buts

[FastFlyer]

So I really can't decide between a CX and a road so I'm looking for the experienced cyclists to talk me into the right option.

I'm quite fortunate to have some good off-road tracks around some farms and in forests to explore, as well as lots of quiet country lanes and small villages to visit. Perfect for the life of a roadie and off roader. So here are my questions:

Would I be ridiculed/refused to join a road club with a CX bike with slicks?
Is a CX on slicks that much limiting on the road in regards of speed?
What sort of gearing am I after to allow me to do both?

I know a CX won't be a master on the road...but I'm just looking for an amature jolly on the weekends in a club and heading out on my own.

I can only get one bike...I do want a do-it-all bike, but something more serious and capable on and off road than my current hybrid. I'm wondering if it's better to use my hybrid for off road tracks (nothing that needs a MTB) and just buy a serious roadie and take advantage of this summer and the country roads.

What do?!

 

[vickster]

You want a do it all bike, get a CX
Of course you won't be ridiculed or refused, no it won't be that much slower, speed comes from the engine ultimately
A lighter CX bike isn't much heavier than a road bike
Not sure on gearing, I can't see how it makes that much difference on the flats, more hills

What's a serious roadie? Are you going to be racing, time trialling, spending 5k on some super light aero bike?

What's your budget?

 

[FastFlyer]

I should have been clearer with the gears...some CX bikes were single speed (came across a 38T), and I was wondering does this make much of a difference but upon further research I think it'd be ok for what I want. So single speed or not is ok.

I have concluded a CX is better, looking to spend no more than £800 (used or new) but I have a habit of buying cheap and buying twice so if something is really good value I might be able to stretch.

I was looking at the Arkose One, Genesis cda 10 or I found a second hand CAADX Sora Disc 2015 used for about £600.

What are the main things I'm looking for? Is it just a good groupset and fit? Or are most groupsets all pretty reliable? The Shimano Sora for example...entry level but still good?

 

[vickster]

Have a look at the Boardman team, more money off at the mo, and another 10% if you join British cycling for £34 (includes other key benefits as well as the halfords discount)

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike

Apex gearing, personally I favour SRAM over shimano but that's a personal choice (just more comfortable for me)

 

[SpokeyDokey]

This is a lot of bike for the money (slightly over budget) and has the new 2016 Tiagra, looks very nice too:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...a-disc-2016-cyclocross-bike-ec116239#features

 

[jowwy]

This is a lot of bike for the money (slightly over budget) and has the new 2016 Tiagra, looks very nice too:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...a-disc-2016-cyclocross-bike-ec116239#features

Budget an extra 100 to change the brake calipers tho, cause those renders are simply appalling

 

[FastFlyer]

Is that even after giving the brakes time to bed in?

 

[jowwy]

Is that even after giving the brakes time to bed in?

Yes, the caliper itself is just too weak

Trp spyres, avid bb7 are all better

 

[siadwell]

Have you considered the new genre of "adventure road bikes"? May be just marketing hype, or may just fit the bill.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/adventure-road-bikes-explained-148762
http://road.cc/content/news/121785-first-ride-gt-grade
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/felt-v85-adventure-road-bike-first-ride-44479/

 

[LocalLad]

Hi - you sound like you're going through very much the same thought process as me right now.

The majority of my cycling is done on road - and I love the ability to belt out the miles on my current road bike.

But, from time to time, it would be good to get onto some gravel tracks (nothing properly off-road), especially if I'm out with mates for a mooch.

I had concluded Cyclocross, but having looked around, the Adventure Bikes category (which is only really a subset of cyclocross - or a hybrid between cyclocross and road) seem to fit the bill.

I'm currently eyeing up the Specialized Diverge Sport (http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ort-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec070560#answers). I'm only just learning about bikes but the specs that appeal to me are:

• 50/34 Chainrings - so a good, wide range of gears - more like a road bike
• geometry looks like a road bike - so should feel similar
• 700x30c tires - so a bit wider than a road bike for the offroad bits, but not too fat for the road (they also look like they have a reasonable tread on them)
• Disk brake - not strictly required, but a nice to have - especially when the winter comes round

 

[kalniel]

Hi - you sound like you're going through very much the same thought process as me right now.

The majority of my cycling is done on road - and I love the ability to belt out the miles on my current road bike.

But, from time to time, it would be good to get onto some gravel tracks (nothing properly off-road), especially if I'm out with mates for a mooch.

I had concluded Cyclocross, but having looked around, the Adventure Bikes category (which is only really a subset of cyclocross - or a hybrid between cyclocross and road) seem to fit the bill.

I'm currently eyeing up the Specialized Diverge Sport (http://www.evanscycles.com/products...ort-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec070560#answers). I'm only just learning about bikes but the specs that appeal to me are:

• 50/34 Chainrings - so a good, wide range of gears - more like a road bike
• geometry looks like a road bike - so should feel similar
• 700x30c tires - so a bit wider than a road bike for the offroad bits, but not too fat for the road (they also look like they have a reasonable tread on them)
• Disk brake - not strictly required, but a nice to have - especially when the winter comes round

I had the same thoughts and ended up on a Fuji Tread 1.3 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/tread-13-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec069180) which was on a 30% discount at the time. Looks very similar to the above though with slightly cheaper disc brakes and a more basic looking (though same material type) frame.

If you've got the budget then going for the 1.1 (http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/tread-11-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec069179) would be nice - tiagra, same brakes as the specialized etc.

 

[FastFlyer]

Thanks for the replies. The adventure road bike is certainly an interesting option. I think the 1.1 looks like a good option, cheaper than the Specialized but still a good spec for me. I wonder what it's weight is though.

The specialized comes in at around £900...with that money I'd probably get the CAADX Tiagra.

 

[vickster]

Paul's cycles often have a bargain caadx on their site

£900 or less should get 105

 

[kalniel]

Thanks for the replies. The adventure road bike is certainly an interesting option. I think the 1.1 looks like a good option, cheaper than the Specialized but still a good spec for me. I wonder what it's weight is though.

11.35kg/24.97lb
from:
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/tread-11-disc

So quite a bit heavier than a pure road bike, but I like to think that weight is going into strength.

 

[FastFlyer]

I've been offered a 2015 Kona Jake for £750 and I managed to haggle down to £650. RRP £999. He claims 7 months old and 250 miles. Includes pedals which I'd need to buy anyway.

Anybody know much about this bike?

Tiagra group set, disc brake. Spec can be found here http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-jake-2015/

Thanks!