Which would you pick?

[Luke182w]

Hi

I'm new to cycling and I'm looking to buy my first bike since being a teenager. I'm going to be using it for road riding to work but also some off-road so I've opted for a cyclocross. I've found a few bikes after reading through the forums and other sites. Only thing is, I don't know which parts are good etc. So, out of these bikes, which would you choose and why?

Specialized Tricross Sport Disc: http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/road/tricross/tricross-sport-disc#manuals
Cannondale CAADX disc 5 105: http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/catalog/product/view/id/31120/s/caadx-disc-5-105/category/916/
Planet X XLS Shimano 105: http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLS105/planet-x-xls-shimano-105-cyclocross-bike
Kinesics FiveT: http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/crosslight/five-t
Boardman CX Comp OR Team

Things I've noticed: Kinesis has no disc brakes but good parts apparently, Planet X has carbon frame but no mudguard holes, Boardman not sure what differences are, Specialized and Cannondale not sure.

Are they all able to have road tyres fitted for days I know I'll only be on the road? Would they all be similar speed, or would the choice of tyre make the difference?

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Not all have a lifetime frame warranty, if this matters to you.
I would personally choose the Specialized of Cannondale as I think both these companies provide decent backup and support to customers.

 

[Luke182w]

I'm not so bothered about the support. From what I've read elsewhere, you pay a premium for the Specialized brand and can get cheaper bikes (or at the same price) but with better components.

 

[vickster]

Except if you break it, Specialized will replace the frame, the others you'd have to pay

Personally the Kinesis as it's available in a colour that's not black or grey

 

[Luke182w]

Except if you break it, Specialized will replace the frame, the others you'd have to pay

Personally the Kinesis as it's available in a colour that's not black or grey

Replace the frame? On second thought, that's quite a nice incentive!

Any other reason you'd pick the Kinesis? What about the lack of disc brake?

 

[vickster]

Never ridden drops with discs so can't comment. Flatbar has discs and are nice but I wouldn't have them if the bike was going to be a boring colour

 

[BSRU]

You could take a look at the Genesis Croix de Fer.

 

[JoeyB]

Genesis Croix de Fer or the Planet X XLS Flanders Edition... I love that bike!

 

[BSRU]

Genesis Croix de Fer or the Planet X XLS Flanders Edition... I love that bike!

The Planet X XLS Flanders Edition looks like a nice bike, but no mudguard or pannier mount points(if that's important to you).

 

[Luke182w]

I actually read about the Genesis Croix de Fer. Not sure why I left it off my list.

Why that bike in particular over the others? Is it that you get good parts for your money? The reviews certainly read well.

 

[jack smith]

The cannondale has much better components than the specialized you'll want shimano 105 over spra

 

[BSRU]

The cannondale has much better components than the specialized you'll want shimano 105 over spra

When I looked at buying a CX bike I would have bought a CAADX but at the time the only disc version was the Ultegra.

 

[sazzaa]

I actually read about the Genesis Croix de Fer. Not sure why I left it off my list.

Why that bike in particular over the others? Is it that you get good parts for your money? The reviews certainly read well.

You get cool points when you buy a Genesis.