[Closed] Not quite a road bike, and not quite a CX bike. Diverge?

A CX bike will be fine - I do long rise on my Cotic X.

Lots of robust tourers round that will do what you want. I have a Van Nicholas Amazon but take a look at the Tripster thread. Few of the current crop of disk-braked "CX" bikes are really that race focussed and things like the Sutra, Tricross etc have been around for years. Trek, Giant etc all do bikes that would do the job.

+1 look at the 'adventure bikes'. At that budget there are loads, Croix De Fer 20 or nearly the 30 🙂

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That does look nice iainc. Never really considered the Genesis, not really sure why.

Few of the current crop of disk-braked "CX" bikes are really that race focussed

Interesting. I just assumed with the current crop of 'new tourers', or gravel bikes I believe they're trying to call them, being released. The CX bikes in companies ranges would be more focused on the racier side of things.

[quote=bongohoohaa ]

Few of the current crop of disk-braked "CX" bikes are really that race focussed

http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/road-bikes-c5/cyclocross-bikes-c36/salsa-warbird-3-gravel-road-bike-2014-p812 and money spare for upgrades should you desire.

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Kind of like this?

Works for me..

Please buy a grade 105 carbon then report back..... i need / want one.
wiggle have got 12% off so it's "near" your budget + they do "0%" over 20 mth

Please buy a grade 105 carbon then report back..... i need / want one.
wiggle have got 12% off so it's "near" your budget + they do "0%" over 20 mth

Well, seeing as you asked so nicely....

@kcal - Might just be me, but the link doesn't seem to work?

Planet X london road?

For what it is worth my Kinesis pro 6 is fine both in the mud in races then as a spring road bike. Quite happy doing centuries on it and do a bulk of my riding on it at this time of year. I dare say it is actually more comfy than my Focus cayo. If discs become legal in BC races I might buy another and start racing on it.

sorry bon... it seems to work from here - it's a pic of a Peregrine in the wild country.. half-laden with panniers. One of those annoying problems with Facebook pics that imply it's open to view by all when there's no way of testing that!

Saracen hack?
[img] [/img]
Or Gt enduro road?
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What about one of those new Mason cycles frames? I imagine you could put the alloy one together for £1.5k

I almost bought a GT Grade, well technically I bought it but I cancelled the order when the delivery date changed. In the end I bought a frame from China and built it up to my own spec. Very pleased with it so far, it worked out cheaper than the Grade, but with a much better spec. I mainly use it for long road rides, but it works fine off road too.

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Pinnacle Arkose from Evans is worth a look (he says in a true STW recommend your own bike, way)

I've been umming and ahhing over the Genesis fugio, on the basis that an 853 road tubeset is an 853 tubeset, it should ride pretty well.

Nearly pushed the button on a London Road back in January when the 20spd ones were £800. The 22spd one is now £800 so I'm glad I waited!

I've got a Diverge. It's rather lovely. :D[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2015-diverge-expert-first-ride-review ]First ride review here[/url]

Not quite in your budget, sadly. 🙁

Alternatives to look at (Apart from the cheaper Diverge) should definitely include the CDF range. Not the lightest, but lovely riding bikes. Focus do some stunning CXers that seem to fit the bill as well. Giant TCX is tasty as well, but not the Giant Anyroad. Despite having a name for the Yorkshire market, it's a dog ugly bike!

Friend has a Grade and it rides well. I, personally, think it's uglier than an ugly thing. But, taste is a fickle thingy!

my version of what kcal was trying to post. not in production at the moment, but come up sh from time to time.

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Other tyres are available, obviously! Not carbon light, but very versatile and great fun.

I think that most of the new CX bikes aren't CX bikes, they are what you want

Whyte do some nice ones

Evans Pinnacle Arkos do a lot of stuff for the money

A grand buys 105 and cable brakes

add £250 for hydros

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/pyrolite-two-disc-2015-road-bike-ec055211

Ignore the blurb it will easily take a 40 c tyre and the geometry and frame looks the same as the CX/adventure bike

however at your budget a genesis CdF but make sure it is a light one

I think that most of the new CX bikes aren't CX bikes, they are what you want

Whyte do some nice ones

I've had a Whyte Saxon Cross for a couple of years now, and I'm really pleased with it.
I had an Orbea igorre before and that was much more race orientated, as in canti brakes that would work at the slightest sign of water and a off-road ride that shook your fillings out.
The Whyte is a much more forgiving ride off-road and the disc brakes allow you to stop when you want to not when the bike decides to.

I'm using a Kinesis Pro 6 frame on my commuting/touring/winter training/Audax bike.
It has clearance and fittings for mudguards, carrier, etc.

it will easily take a 40 c tyre

Arkrose. That budget gets hydro brakes I think?

Ridden 150k audax on mine on road with slick tyres, 70 mile rides involving gravel with (Sammy) semi slicks

Salsa Warbird.

I ride mine everywhere - road, off road, proper Mtb trails.

It's excellent. Sram CX1 hydro also excellent.

GB

Right. So I have gone from having 2 bikes in mind, to now have about 10.

So far, I am erring towards the Grade. It looks ridiculous, but could get the ally version for £900, then fit hydros + Kinesis CXD wheels, and still have change left after selling the OE shifters and HY/RDs.

Grade alloy 105 comes with TRP cable actuated hydro discs. Nice bike when I had a look at one in the shop.

TRP cable actuated hydro discs

Would rather see Spyres, or full hydro. Spyres are excellent, and very simple. Full hydro are excellent. The hybrid system seems to be a papering over the cracks to me, trying to give roadies "hydro" brakes when they don't have proper hydro.

Never ridden any, I should add, but having ridden both Spyres, and SRAM/Shimano hydro, I'd have the latter if I could, and the former if I couldn't. Not the compromise.

Agree that it is the worst of both worlds

Also there is next to no fluid in the caliper so what happens when it boils on a long descent and you get brake fade?

Just seems to be a bodged compromise

Have you measured it yourself?

i will take some pics tomorrow

The hybrid system seems to be a papering over the cracks to me, trying to give roadies "hydro" brakes when they don't have proper hydro.

I thought the same and was hanging out to go 11 speed hydro - which also means new rear wheels as run 2 wheelsets one for gravel and one for 100% road - one problem with running disks is wheels don't wear out!

Finally got fed up with constant adjustment to BB7's on my Pro6 and fitted some TRP Hy/rd's and just like it says in all the reviews they are fantastic

unlike poster higher up i find that all day rides on my pro6 can be a bit of a beat up but its forgiven when you throw it round some singletrack - amazing fun

Planet X London Road looks great value if you like SRAM - currently £799 with Rival 22, BB7 brakes. Leaves a good chunk of cash for upgrades later on if wanted.

I've got a Spesh Diverge Smartweld and its great, but...

I can't bear to part with my 5yr old Surly Pacer, so am actually toying with selling the Diverge. 56cm, in Sussex and looking for north of £1500 I would think.... (not sure if this breaks any forum rules, as I've never read them).

Grrr!

Would be after 54cm max, irvb, otherwise we would be doing a deal.

[img] [/img]

I cam very close to buying one of these last year, but just got a better deal else where on a different bike. I really liked the style and idea of them

I find the Hy-Rd brakes very good. Easier to set up and maintain than BB7s, and also standing up to winter conditions much better so far.
Full hydraulic will obviously be the long term solution, but I'm still on 9 speed for my commuter/tourer/winter training bike, so Hy-Rds give me the advantages of hydraulic pad self adjustment, without having to shell out for a new group set and a pricey set of shifters.

Would rather see Spyres, or full hydro. Spyres are excellent, and very simple. Full hydro are excellent. The hybrid system seems to be a papering over the cracks to me, trying to give roadies "hydro" brakes when they don't have proper hydro.

I've got Spyres, and I've ridden the hybrid TRPs and a couple of sets of Shimano full hydros.

Spyres aren't that good. Maybe it's the pads but I'm unimpressed. They're small, neat and easy to set up but lack the power of, say, a cheap Shimano or Hayes mechanical.
Full hydro requires 11sp and lots of expense. I don't think they're good enough to warrant it.
Good, yes, but not amazing.
TRP hydro hybrids feel as good as full hydraulics to me, but without the expense.
That's what I'd go for.

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as it sounds like the kind of bike I'm looking for.

How would the Kona Jake be on longer rides?

another thumbs up for HY-RD's here.

Toying with getting a Singular Gryphon for this type of riding.

Just as a heads up. [url= http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/browse/bicycles?inSale=yes&ebcTag_source=home-27-03-15&ebcTag_medium=home&ebcTag_content=sale&ebcTag_campaign=Bicycles ]EBC[/url] seem to have a 15% sale on:

For example:

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No Specialized stuff is on offer, tho.

I think (as has been said) the newer fauxCX / adventure bikes can be great for this sort of thing, and better than the trad CX race bikes. By the time you have a longer wheelbase for 35Cs you can also have a really nice handling bike for long-distance, poorly-surfaced or crazy hair-pinned road riding, something that really lets you get the best of what discs can offer. With the right BB drop the bike can be both a good road bike on 25-28s and a great all-roader on 32-35C or more. I did a big ride in Taiwan last weekend on my Arkose 4 with 25cs on, 1500m or more of climb+descent on one hill alone, so much fun on that geometry with discs.

^^^ that CDF 30 up there is a cracking deal....

Chap at work turned up this morning on his new Specialized Awol Elite. 42C tyres, TRP Spyres and 9 speed Sora triple, tubus racks front and rear. Looks cracking.

I think (as has been said) the newer fauxCX / adventure bikes can be great for this sort of thing

Couldn't normally give a chuff about aesthetics but quirrel that giant is absolutely minging.

unlike poster higher up i find that all day rides on my pro6 can be a bit of a beat up

I have to ask, how do Spesh get away with speccing 9-speed Sora on a £1.2k bike? I know new Sora is very good, but just seems pricey.

Anyway. So far we have:

Spesh Diverge A1 Sport
Arkose 4
CDF 30
GT Grade 105 (The X really doesn't seem worth an extra £500 for the hydros and full carbon fork)
Giant Anyroad....although it does look like a shitting dog.

Probably missed some.

....and in the probably not suitable camp we have the more balls out CX stuff like:

Giant TCX SLR
Spesh Crux
Cannondale CAADX

etc

I have a Saracen Hack and I have a relatively short body and I'm not very flexible and it's the only drop bar bike I've ever got comfy on - albeit I had to flip the stem over.

It's nice and comfy and the promax cable discs are better than expected - easily a match for BB7 road if set up properly.

There's clearance for bigger tyres than the ones supplied too. Lack of mudguard mounting eyes on the fork is the only criticism - the fork blades are a bit fat for p-clips.

On the smaller sizes (mine's a 54cm) there's a bit of toe overlap with mudguards on.

For off-road I would probably fit a 12-30 cassette.

On the smaller sizes (mine's a 54cm) there's a bit of toe overlap with mudguards on.

Being a bit of a shortarse, I am resigned to always having a bit of toe overlap. Not usually an issue till you make a tight turn.

on the basis of your list, and a quick look at specs, my money would be on the Edinburgh Bike Co CDF 30 with 15% off, and not just because I have one (not bought from EBC though)

Under £1500 with new 105 5800 11 speed and full hydraulics, comfy frame, carbon fork...

This might be wrong, but don't CDFs weigh a metric tonne?

This might be wrong, but don't CDFs weigh a metric tonne?

the older ones were heavy, current ones significantly lighter. My 30 is a size 54 and in standard build, with Time Atac pedals, weighs about 22/23 pounds. When riding the weight is not noticeable. Most of these bikes are a good bit weightier than all out road equivalent as they tend to be a bit 'sturdier' specced.

D0NK - Member

......[b][i]unlike poster higher up i find that all day rides on my pro6 can be a bit of a beat up[/i][/b]

not as comfy as the day1 I had before but I've done big days on mine and not suffered for it next day.

in reality nothing that beer and bed couldn't fix just that I have ridden bikes that felt better all day but then again I might have been riding a bit less demanding terrain 😆

bongohoohaa - Member
This might be wrong, but don't CDFs weigh a metric tonne?

sortof...

my cdf frame weighs 2100g, the forks something like 800...

an equivalent alu frame with carbon forks would weigh something like 1400+500g.

so, the frame and forks add a kilo over some of the alternatives. but in return you do get a frame that is more or less un-killable.

The standard wheels on mine are also bit porky (over 2kg), but they're utterly bomb-proof.

Norco search is pretty much aimed at what you want?!

http://www.norco.com/15search/

Maybe cotic escapade too or charge plug

Spa Cycles TI adventure bike £1500 http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p3104 can't say I've used one but have their steel Audax and rate that.

Giant Anyroad....although it does look like a shitting dog.

They were hard to find in the UK last year as they were an Asian based bike originally, but a few suppliers did have them.

I think they are now more available.

The higher specced one was good value.

Giant Revolt 1 may be another option, having ridden one I find the ride very smooth.

[url= https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15162936194_49ef15b291_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15162936194_49ef15b291_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

[url= https://flic.kr/p/p6U1Eo ]Kinesis Tripster ATR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/52769476@N00/ ]South Downs MTB Skills[/url], on Flickr

I've got HyRd's on mine, they work really well. Better (for me anyway) than BB7 or Spyres

Salsa Vaya?

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp125/theswede_photos/IMG_3937.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_3937.jpg"/>
I have this for sale if you are 6 ft plus and are near the Midlands
£550

blades2000 - Member
Giant Revolt 1 may be another option, having ridden one I find the ride very smooth.........I've got HyRd's on mine

and looks like you are using barbed wire instead of brake cable - think that must mark you out as hard 😉

Something odd going on with antigee's post. It's like when 2 posts collide.

I had HyRd's on my Whyte but now I've moved them onto my son's Whyte and put Shimano 685's on mine.
The HyRd's where good but the 685's are way better.
The main problem I found with the HyRd's was that the lever would be back to the bars before the pads where half worn (adjusting the cable isn't an option as the brake cylinder lever has to return fully to let more fluid through). The only solution is to top up the fluid level. I suspect the fluid reservoir is too small.

If you want my opinion DON'T get a "proper" CX bike. By "proper" I mean something for racing like the TCX/Boone/Crux/X-Night etc. I've got a TCX and it ain't stable for what you intend to do with it.

They are all for racing, not that pooling can't be done on them, in that they're all slung low and mean and growl at being ridden slowly.

CFH's Diverge looks the bits for this kinda thing, so too the Tripster or CdF or Trek's Crossrip.

HTH

That was kinda what I was thinking, bikebouy.

Shame, as some good deals on the TCX bikes on Edinburgh CoOp at the mo.

Ok, well, erm.. You can fit guards to the alloy models, but they're still low slung and I still don't think the Geo would suit what you are after..

Had a look at the Charge Plug ?

Define 'low slung'.

I just can't get over the bar height on that Giant.

How did that escape into the real world when you consider how good looking their current road bikes are?

But to the OP - If you're riding 80% road and some unpaved tracks, I'd just get a road bike with good tyre clearance. Maybe a PX London Road if the frames are a decent weight?

F&F = £300
11sp 105 = £280
Some nice wheels = £250ish
Finishing kit = £100ish
Some disc calipers = £no idea

Might come in around £1k or not too much more.

Where's the CAADX in all that up there? £900 from Enigma for 5800 105 version leaves enough over for decent hydros if that's your thing. I'm running Spyres and they're fine. Still enough left over for a pair of Ray Bans to deal with the jazzy branding. Here's a crap pic of mine :

[IMG] [/IMG]

Define low slung

Can you tie them in a bow?

"low slung" = race geo.

Clearly you can pull the the bars up (fit a + degree stem and shorten it) and I'm sure it'll be fine, you'll be fine on it too.

Best take a look at one eh..

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Local shop owner fell in love with my CX bike, and being Bianchi shop bought himself one of these. Its been on display and used for three days and four customers have ordered them/

Lovely looking bike, cx isn't popular here, but the bikes are ideal for the shit roads.

If you ate going to get one, get this Bianchi in the team colour, lovely

Clearly you can pull the the bars up (fit a + degree stem and shorten it) and I'm sure it'll be fine, you'll be fine on it too.

Just shortened the stem on mine, and it has made a big difference, although handling is a bit 'twitchier' I like it.