Work have started the "cycle to work" scheme and I'm interested.... I currently have a Planet X Uncle John which is in single chainring guise for cx 'racing' (well, plodding about at the back of the pack with shocking bike handling) & a Ridley EOS which is the winter hack. I want to go (whisper it) N-1 as space is getting limited, so want a do it all. Whatever I get I want it to be ok for amateur efforts at cx, ok for winter road rides. Must take guards.
So, Specialized have released spec of their new Diverge E5 alu. Looks brill with the 2cm of suspension (found some cx races in the dry winter last year v rough), concealed cables, 12mm through axles (which I think will become standard) but worry the geo is a bit too roady. Would get the £1k version (Sora), take that off and replace with Campag Veloce off my old bikes. [b]Has anyone raced a Diverge as a cx bike?[/b]
Other choices are Cannondale Caad-X Tiagra (£799 + 11% cycle to work scheme as is on sale - but non-concealed cables and normal QRs), or Merida Cyclocross 500 (105 but 15mm through axle at front which I think reduces wheel options).
Cheers
The 2018 Diverge is a very different beastie to the earlier versions, which wouldn't make a good CX bike.
I doubt anyone has ridden a 2018 yet!
Have a look at some of the Focus stuff, if you can get it on C2W. Very good value, and some interesting bikes. Paralane might work for CX (Not sure if in budget, though!) and some of their "proper" CX bikes take guards as well from memory.
I had trouble finding a Focus dealer online, but the Mares AX range has always been of interest. I'll check again. Thanks.
Whereabouts are you? My LBS are a rather excellent Focus dealer if you're anywhere near Salisbury.
Leicestershire. See Evans are doing them. And Kona. They look good too. Such a mass of choice...! The Spesh just seemed so future proof with 12mm, flat mount plus suspension, etc... But it needs to cope with my limited cx racing efforts. The high BB on the PX always made me feel ponderous though. The Cannondale was ridden around a carpark and felt great, if heavy.
The diverge you are looking at doesn't have the suspension - that only comes in on the £1500 model - wording on the Evans website is wrong.
What MrPottatoHead said.
...and if you're spending £1500 you might as well spend the extra 500 to get the Carbon one... 😉
Cyclomonster in Derby are a good Focus dealer, depending which bit of Leicestershire you are in
I have the basic 2017 Diverge sport with Sora and that has standard QR axels. I was thinking of giving CX a go on it. Whats the worst than can happen right?
Still a good bike regardless of axels and suspension. I am in Nottingham if you want a sit on it. Its a 52cm so may not be any good!
Thanks for all the help above. The fact the Spesh didn't have suspension was rather a let down
. With work being strict on the £1k limit, the Cannondale CaadX 105 at £999 from Evans seems best bet unless the LBS can do Merida at same price...The diverge you are looking at doesn't have the suspension - that only comes in on the £1500 model - wording on the Evans website is wrong.