What CX bike? Cyclescheme or not?

[Ajax_Gaz]

Hi guys

I currently commute on my Spesh hardrock during the week and use my Carbon road bike for sunday club rides. Last winter i carried on commuting on my hardtail on its city tyres and it was brilliant. However after being subjected to salt and winter rides some of the components do show signs of rust on them, but with continuous servicing it continues to work as well as ever.

Since spending more and more time with my local club doing 50 mile rides on a sunday and with the plan to commute through the winter, i've decided my hardtail with slicks would be fine on the commute but if i want to keep the mileage up and continue cycling with the club the mtb is not going to be suitable to use so what do i do? I know other club riders are very fortunate to have an additional winter bike so they can store there carbon/race bikes away but i didn't think this would be possible until i noticed my employers have an open cyclescheme window currently.

I've already done plenty of searching and i know a cyclocross bike would be perfect for what i need but the questions are?

1 - What bike do i buy?
I would like to stick to Specialized or Cannondale (with the lifetime frame warranty) though i am open to anything really. Genesis cx bikes look very good but i'm concerned with the steel frames (rust) and the weight? (Should i be?)

2 - Do i use the cyclescheme or considering a lot of 2012 bikes in my size are currently reduced do i fund it another way as the cyclescheme doesn't cover sale bikes (AFAIK) ??

3 - Should i just spend the absolute minimum i can as the bike will be used for the winter/spring and will get subjected to nasty horrible conditions? (I don't really want a bike costing over 1k if its going to end up rusty and need new parts in 12 months or am i being stupid?)

I've always got superb advice on this forum and here's hoping you guys can help out again.

All bikes or links welcome - i currently ride a 58" road bike so will more than likely be looking at that size again.

Cheers!

G

 

[DCLane]

S/hand Spesh Tricross / Cannondale ?

 

[Rob3rt]

Ribble winter bike with Tiagra groupset. A CX bike is not needed. CX bikes belong in the mud and shoot.

 

[Mark Walker]

Outdoor fitness had a pro rider testing 6 cx bikes this month for approx £1000
Cannondalle CAADX 9/10
Genesis croix de fer 7.5/10
Lappierre cyclo x 8//10
Revolution cross pro 7/10
Scott cx comp 9/10
Sensa fermo 8.5/10
Best in test was the Scott
"the scott performed flawlessly on ever terrain "
I bought the Giant tcx 2 2012 model for £640 at a LBS relay good bike especially at this price.
regards
Mark

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

S/hand Spesh Tricross / Cannondale ?

Tried that, but not many around in my size.

Ribble winter bike with Tiagra groupset. A CX bike is not needed. CX bikes belong in the mud and s***.

I wouldn't have the first clue about building my own one. It looks fun but i'd have no idea if i was putting together poor quality components etc really.

Outdoor fitness had a pro rider testing 6 cx bikes this month for approx £1000
Cannondalle CAADX 9/10
Genesis croix de fer 7.5/10
Lappierre cyclo x 8//10
Revolution cross pro 7/10
Scott cx comp 9/10
Sensa fermo 8.5/10
Best in test was the Scott
"the scott performed flawlessly on ever terrain "
I bought the Giant tcx 2 2012 model for £640 at a LBS relay good bike especially at this price.
regards
Mark

Thanks Mark. That's a great price for a Giant too.

I may well try and sell the Hardrock as i won't really have room for a third bike so taking a cx offroad then will be more of a possibility without a mtb. In that regard i may look for one with discs as well, but i'll have to weigh up buying a £700 bike with Sora groupset compared to £900/£1000 for a Tiagra/105.

 

[MattHB]

I have a CAADX5 and its AWESOME. You can pick them up for less than a grand now.

 

[User6179]

I have a CAADX5 and its AWESOME. You can pick them up for less than a grand now.

Have the same bike,2012 model and paid £800 new and as far as I could see 2013 model (£1100) looks the same, great bike and not much slower than my carbon roadie.

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Cheers guys, a local place has the CAADX 5 and 6 so I'll definitely check them out.