What your thoughts on these bikes (new and 2nd hand bikes)

[smutchin]

I'm glad you said that. Let's say I cycled miles on roads on a Giant Defy 5 and it took, say, 25 minutes. On the same roads, with the effort the a mtb took 40 mins. How long would you say a Claud Butler CX11 would take (same mileage, roads, and effort)? Just trying to gauge how much slower a CX would be?

Three things to bear in mind...

1. Tyres - slick tyres are faster. To echo @mjray, put slick tyres on the CX bike and it will probably be as quick as the Defy.

2. Aerodynamics - overcoming wind resistance accounts for about 80% of your effort. The upright riding position of an MTB means more wind resistance. The riding position on the CX bike will be much closer to the Defy, hence a lot more aerodynamic than an MTB.

3. Suspension - if your MTB has suspension, that will also slow you down because it absorbs a lot of the power you put in. The CX bike doesn't have suspension.

 

[dac]

smutchin (and all) thanks for your info.
"I also understand that it is easier to clean."
"Not sure why that would be. Where did you get this idea from?" I heard that they have more spacing between the parts so the bike clogs up less and is easier to clean.

It is funny you should mention the Specialized Tricross. I have come across this bike through past reviews, in recent days, and it seems EXACTLY what I am looking for. Comfortable position. Mud-guard and rack friendly. Designed so it can be like a road bike. Just as fast as a pure road bike. I presume the same weight as a road bike, and lighter than a touring bike. It's sounds great. Surely these bikes sold like hot cakes - didn't they? Why did Specialized stop producing them? You mention the Diverge but is this more towards a true CX and more away from a road bike (wheras the Tricross was closer to a true road bike)?

The stronger frame of a CX but yet still light, the quickness (with the right tyres) but the option to go on a dirt path/gravel track, the ability to have racks and guards, the dual type brake levers (i.e. on the flat top and drop down) - all make the CX/ROAD crossover type bike perfect for me. I would like it closer to a road bike than true CX though.

What is current CX but closer to a Road bike version for:
Cannondale? Is it the Synapse?
Specialized? I guess it is now the Diverge (was Tricross)?
Giant? Is it the Anyroad (was TCX)?
Claud Butler? Is it the CX range?

Also, why do the CX style bikes command more money than an equivalent spec road bike? What in particluar commands more money?

Thanks

 

[vickster]

There should be second hand tricross around. One sold on here last week for £200

Look on eBay and be prepared to travel. Caveat emptor on any used bike. Especially confirming that it is the sellers to sell

Cost, supply and demand. Many more pure road bikes are sold than CX. Just look at the number of models of each in the manufacturer ranges

Cannondale - Caadx

Eg http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-...3D261346153003&_trksid=p2056116.c100408.m2460

 

[smutchin]

I heard that they have more spacing between the parts so the bike clogs up less and is easier to clean.

Hmmmmm... Clogging up with mud is one of the reasons cyclocross bikes have wider clearances but mud shouldn't be an issue if you're riding on the road.

It is funny you should mention the Specialized Tricross. I have come across this bike through past reviews and it seems EXACTLY what I am looking for.

Yup, it was a very popular bike for commuters, and with good reason. They stopped making them because fashions change and the industry was moving away from pseudo-CX-bikes-for-commuters and more towards adventure/gravel bikes for the same target market. The Diverge is probably an even better bike for commuters than the Tricross.

You mention the Diverge but is this more towards a true CX and more away from a road bike (wheras the Tricross was closer to a true road bike)?

No, the Diverge is further away from being a CX bike. It's a proper road bike, just one with clearance for fat tyres (up to 40mm, in fact) and mounts for mudguards and racks.

CX bikes have racing geometry for agile handling on technical courses. Adventure/gravel bikes like the Diverge have endurance geometry for stable handling and straight line speed.

But it's probably best not to be too rigid in your thinking about different types of bikes - it's mostly just marketing, they're all just bikes. The Synapse is sold as an endurance road bike but stick some fatter tyres on it and you could just as easily call it an adventure/gravel bike.

 

[outlash]

But it's probably best not to be too rigid in your thinking about different types of bikes - it's mostly just marketing, they're all just bikes. The Synapse is sold as an endurance road bike but stick some fatter tyres on it and you could just as easily call it an adventure/gravel bike.

This. With spades on. As if to prove the point: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-adventure-disc-2015-road-bike-ec071025 take the guards off, it's pretty much a gravel bike, or whatever they're calling it this week.

 

[dac]

There should be second hand tricross around. One sold on here last week for £200

That's a good price - hope it wasn't my size.

I've found a 2007 Tricross in good condition, always serviced (apparently), with rack and guards for £300.Not sure if one this old should be this price - what you reckon?

Is this (link below) bike any good for £450 brand new (well shop soiled)? I do not know if the components are good but the rrp is £900, but then it maybe it's marked up due to the name. Can you comment on this?
http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-road-touring/cb5180-2015

@vickster - is the Cannondale CAAD bikes (with or without 'X') more a race geometry setup, whereas the Synapse is more upright?

 

[vickster]

That's a good price - hope it wasn't my size.

I've found a 2007 Tricross in good condition, always serviced (apparently), with rack and guards for £300.Not sure if one this old should be this price - what you reckon?

Is this (link below) bike any good for £450 brand new (well shop soiled)? I do not know if the components are good but the rrp is £900, but then it maybe it's marked up due to the name. Can you comment on this?
http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-road-touring/cb5180-2015

@vickster - is the Cannondale CAAD bikes (with or without 'X') more a race geometry setup, whereas the Synapse is more upright?

The CAADX is the CX, the synapse is a road bike

I've never heard of the components on the Claud Butler

That tricross sounds well overpriced for a bike that's nearly 10 years old

The one that sold was a 56cm IIRC, look in the classifieds

 

[vickster]

Have you looked at Edinburgh bike coop's offer?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-15?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-cross-sport-disc-15?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/saracen-hack-1-15?bct=browse/bicycles/cyclocross-bikes

 

[biggs682]

That tricross sounds well overpriced for a bike that's nearly 10 years old

The one that sold was a 56cm IIRC, look in the classifieds

the one that sold on here was a bargain and a half

 

[dac]

@vickster - thanks for the links. The Saracen looks nice. They have a Eastway R 3.0 for £400 but not my size.

Having sat on a Giant Defy 4 the other day the XL size is clearly the size I need (although the L wasn't crazy small). The Defy XL measured 23" exactly from centre crank to seat tube. 23" is 58.42cm. Can anyone confirm that a Tricross, Diverge, or CAADX in 58cm is the right size for me? if you go by the measurements then 58.42cm (23") is the right size for me, however I do not know if different manufacturers have different designs which may make a 58cm Tricross, Diverge, or CADDX too small for me. If this is the case then would I be needing a 61cm size in these bikes?

 

[vickster]

Where do you live? Are there no bike shops? Remember Evans among others price match and do on road test rides

Is your height in legs or torso?

 

[outlash]

Pretty sure a 58 CAADX would be fine but I'd go through the measurement process on the site I linked to earlier in the thread just in case your proportions may be a little more unique than the norm. FWIW the top tube measurement is a better bet for fit rather than the seat tube.

 

[dac]

Where do you live? Are there no bike shops? Remember Evans among others price match and do on road test rides

Is your height in legs or torso?

Yes I went into my local one the other day. That's where I found out the XL in the Defy range would be the right size. I sat on the Claud Butler CX9 and this felt very comfortable, but I was just sitting on it - didn't ride it. Just found a little bit more width (or sturdiness) to it over the Defy which felt more comfortable and the hoods were a little more upright so again more comfortable.
I have a 35" inside leg. I'm pretty proportionate for a tall person (i.e. not abnormally long legs or body).

Pretty sure a 58 CAADX would be fine but I'd go through the measurement process on the site I linked to earlier in the thread just in case your proportions may be a little more unique than the norm. FWIW the top tube measurement is a better bet for fit rather than the seat tube.

I need to then dig out my tape measure. Top tube better for fit than seat due to the fact the seat tube can be extended but the top tube cant? Sounds an obvious question.

 

[outlash]

I need to then dig out my tape measure. Top tube better for fit than seat due to the fact the seat tube can be extended but the top tube cant? Sounds an obvious question.

That's pretty much it. A wise old owl with decades of experience told me that one. My personal preference is for a top tube 570-580mm,

 

[vickster]

If the Claud Butler felt good and ticks all your boxes for what you'll be using it for, go for it. It's just a bike after all. Parts can be upgraded as and when if you feel the need

Buying new and local certainly has many benefits over buying used or online, good to build a relationship with your LBS in case you need them in future