I got the pedals sorted and took it for a quick shakedown ride so thought I’d share my first impressions.
I went for 53cm frame and sizing was spot on for me at 5’7. Bars could do with being a bit wider but that might be something I’ll get used to.
It instantly felt pretty quick; on cycle paths and smooth bridle way I was comfortably 2mph quicker than my mtb without putting in much effort. Then I hit some bumpier ground and it became apparent how stiff the front-end was. It is bone-jarringly rigid. I’ve got Exotic rigids in the mtb so thought feel might be similar but this is way stiffer. 30mins in and my hands were pretty numb. I don’t ride road much and never ridden cx so may get better with time or change of position. Back end was surprisingly smooth though. Overall handling was much better than I expected so pleased so far.
Brakes were pretty poor but started to bed in a bit by end of ride. Wouldn’t say they had any more power than canti’s at this stage.
Tyres felt good off-road but shite on it. Might be my inexperience of narrow tread but I could feel the front end wandering a lot in the bends. I’ll see how I get on with them but may be first upgrade. Wheel build is also pretty poor-very slack spokes so will be getting out the spoke key before next ride.
Apart from a few niggles I think I’m going to have a lot of fun with this bike but I would say so far it is definitely at the faster, racier end of the cx spectrum than the comfortable all rounder some might hope for.