Fancy myself a crosser and have found both the above in my size, one brand new and one of them 2 months old ,but immaculate, both same price as well … which would people recommend ?

Both nice bikes. Not really like for like so it depends what you want from them. I like my Boardman. I use it as a ‘road bike’ for commuting, hill climbs and time trials (occasionally at least), but mostly it’s a decent bike for doing the Three Peaks cx on. Oh, and having fun. Hth.

I picked up an immaculate CdeF for £650 from the classifieds which had clearly done no more than 100 miles. I’d describe it as a light tourer which will handle anything off road your willing to throw it down rather than a dedicated cross bike. I bought it for long days out on the road with off road sections where it’s all about how much you enjoy it rather than how quick you do it.

Be sure you check the sizing of the Boardman CX is ok for you. Their small is 540mm on the TT, which is a big small…if you know what I mean.

@ jamie, im looking for a small so should be ok …. its only 5 mm longer than my road bike 🙂
Did think 540 mm was long myself for a small frame

i love my cdf, but it’s a sturdy beast – it’s built like a tank.

it’s great at: road, singletrack, wheelies, poppingofftotheshops, commuting, shrugging off abuse/crashes.

with marathon+ tyres, and mudguards, it’s 30lbs (the wheels really are very heavy+strong)

the new sora stuff is bloody great.

I guess the best bet is to try them out? As as mentioned, they are different beasts. One is a quite lighter and carbon forked beast, and the other is a bit of a porker, but will eat up the miles.

Any local shops have them in stock?

/mild hijack

the new sora stuff is bloody great.

How so?

I’ve the 52cm CdeF and the tt is 520 on that and I wouldn’t want it longer. I’ve swapped out the layback post for an inline one and I’m tempted to try a 70 mm stem from my hardtail to see if I prefer it to the 90 fitted. I’m 5’6″ with a 30″ inside leg, I don’t know if that makes my upper to lower body ratio normal or if my legs, short as they, are disproportionately long. I don’t think many people would recommend a cx frame that’s longer than a road bike you’re happy with.

Jamie – Member

“the new sora stuff is bloody great.”

How so?

works nicely, reliable, not that heavy*, cheap to replace bits if you need, the rear derailleur will take a 30t cassette if you want.

well done shimano!

(*the 2013 sora cranks are lighter (850g) than my 2011 tiagra cranks (920g))

I have the new Sora on a Genesis Equilibrium, running a 30t cassette. It is outstanding.

@ avdave … im the same height and inside leg etc, spose a lot depends on how they have measured it as different manufacturers measure things differently

@ avdave … im the same height and inside leg etc, spose a lot depends on how they have measured it as different manufacturers measure things differently

re: Boardman

Go your local Halfords and see if they can let you sit on one? I guess it depends where you are in the country, whether they have one in stock, though.

works nicely, reliable, not that heavy, cheap to replace bits if you need, the rear derailleur will take a 30t cassette if you want.

Interesting. I have been put off buying a few bikes as they had Sora on, as last time I checked it out was in 2010 and it was just rubbish compared to Tiagra. Any idea what year the new stuff came in?

2013

‘new’ sora is as good, if not better, than not-that-old tiagra.

Kinesis pro 6 🙂

Running a 32t cassette on my CdF/new Sora mech with no problem.

Love my CdF. Tough but not that heavy. Depends what your used to I guess.

I’m 5’8″, 32″ leg and the 54cm frame is perfect, with a 70mm stem.

Kinesis pro 6

If we are playing that game, how about a…

I know it is a bit mainstream, but the Trek CrossRip or Spesh Tricross are good.

I have a tricross. Great bike. Use it more than any other.

Pinnacle from Evans might also be worth considering, they seem pretty good value and probably what I would have gone for if the CdeF hadn’t come up on the classifieds less than 5 miles from home.

That ibis is just bike porn 🙂

And a bargain at £3.5k for an ultegra build.

Jamie – Member
And a bargain at £3.5k for an ultegra build.

Ultegra hydraulic or cable discs?

Mechanicals.

Boo!!

Innit? You would think for that price you would at least get some TRP HY/RDs.