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I am toying with the idea of getting a cyclocross bike off cyclescheme.
I live about 50 miles away from work so it is definitely not possible for me to ride the whole way. However, around 10 miles between work and home is a good bit of bridleway which I think is a bit boring on my hardtail.
Would getting a cyclocross bike make it more interesting or would it kill me if I do it on a regular basis?
Now to the technical questions.
What tyres should I get? I use tubeless on my MTB and puncture is a thing of the past. I would like it to stay this way on the cyclocross bike as the last thing that I want is to get a puncture on the way to my car and ending up being late for work. Is running tubeless a good idea or even possible on a cyclocross bike?
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec039563 ]This[/url] seems pretty good value to me. Is it any good? I heard that 105 is quite a good groupset but that's about as far as I know about road bike bits.
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/filter-hi-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec042792 ]This[/url] also seems like a good idea as it has a steel frame. I like steel frames (my hardtail is a soul). Is it a better idea to compromise components slightly and go with this I assume slightly better frame?
Another review [url= http://m.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/review-charge-bikes-filter-hi12-43054 ]Here[/url] that's worth a read. I ride a steel CX bike, and love it its made stuff that's pedestrian on a MTB seem like a laugh and they are rapid in the right (not necessarily my!!) hands. So its worth a go to liven things up. From reading here it seems to be a half way house this bike I think if its really muddy you could struggle with full mud guards but I like running 35 c tyres and don't run mud guards due to gloop so you might be grand.
Not sure on the wheel spec on this bike being tubeless but it's worth a shout, I'm still using tubes so can't comment but its an added cost if these wheels are not. 105 is good stuff for a cX /commuter it will go all day and it cheap (ish) to replace so no worries there at all. For a winter road/ commuter the cX is a good choice for me anyway plus off road it's a laugh.
Hope that's if some help!
I'm also toying with this idea, so have been doing a bit of reading up.
It's actually driving me nuts - trying to decide between a road bike or a crosser, but I'm getting there!
Tubeless - I read on the cross racing thread that people use tubs (like tubeless but the tyres are glued to the rim) - not sure if a UST-like tubeless system is available.
Only thing I'd say about the bikes you link to is that both are up at full price - there are a lot of higher spec bikes on discount around at the moment.
You probably don't want tubs for commuting. Fine for racing, but gluing tyres would be a hassle and you are stuffed if you get a puncture (e.g a tear in the tyre) miles from home.
Personally, I run normal CX tyres (currently Racing Ralphs) on Stans rims with yellow tape so I can run them tubeless. Run at about 30psi to get a good balance of grip without denting the rim.
Can't comment much on bike choice. I'm pleased with my Kinesis Crosslight but it isn't necessarily a cheap build. You would probably find a steel bike a bit comfier - my 5 minutes on a Genesis Day One felt very solid and comfortable comapred with my light but slightly harsh alu frame.
Which Crosslight, pixelmix? Been looking at the Evo4..
I've got a Pro6 (the one with discs).
Evo4 should be a bit lighter since it has carbon seatstays. Seems to be good deals on the Evo4 now that the Evo5 is on the way.
I have last years Arkose and for the money they are well specced and do everything you need of a CX bike. However the one major advantage is that they have got rid of the awful Tektro Lyra brakes that were fitted to the model I have.
Other obvious options would be the Boardman CX or a Cannondale CaadX.
I'll be putting my genesis vapour 56cm med up for sale soon, build is pretty standard apart from new tyres, it's the non disc version - tiagra group, carbon fork, genesis finishing kit. Same as this http://m.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/vapour-2009-road-bike-ec017144 Prob looking around £400 plus post, email in profile if anyone is interested? Sorry for thread hijack!
If you have a soul, stay cotic and get an >X< , went for an explore on mine yesterday, took in some bridleways which are tame on my MTB, they were interesting on the X(in a good way), but the road sections inbetween were dispatched much more quickly than on an MTB.
Tubeless (rather than tubs) is becoming more available for road and cross so don't see why this wouldn't be an option, but you would need proper tubeless rims, so new wheels on top of your budget.
That Cotic X does look good. Question is if the local bike shop can get one in for me.
The cyclescheme at my work seem to be a little bit different. I originally thought I could choose from the list on the cyclescheme website and have a £1000 limit, but that doesn't seem to be true.
I have spoken to my payroll today and apparently, it has to be on the approved list which is a 20 miles radius within my workplace. However, the upside of that is there is no limit on price. I think a Cotic X would definitely be on my list if one of the bike shops on the list can get one in.
Why would I need to have proper tubeless rims? Normal rims seem to work fine tubeless on MTB even just with yellow tape in my experience. Is there something obvious that is different with road rims?
[i] it has to be on the approved list which is a 20 miles radius within my workplace[/i]
Its weird how employers seem to feel the need to add their own, unofficial rules to the cycleschemes. I have a strong feeling my employer will do something similar. What do they lose by letting us order on the web??
supporting local business, whats wrong with that?
Does it? Getting bikes tax free off 'em?
Fair play if so, but I hardly think the nearest Halfords can be considered supporting local business...
sure, you get bike off them, your more likley to go back and get a service, or spares, accessories etc
i would assume the approved list is bigger than just halfords
Don't know if it's a good thing or not but Halfords is not on the list. I would have got a Boardman otherwise.
The list only include independent bike shops within 20 miles radius.
Love my CX bikes for all the reasons above but now want one with discs. I replace a lot of brake pads in winter and have already killed a pair of rims.
[i]The list only include independent bike shops within 20 miles radius.[/i]
Fair enough - I stand corrected 🙂
(did you see that? someone admitted they were wrong ON STW!)
I`m just taking a little adventure down the same road as you and going for a CX Bike.
I have gone for the Genesis Vapour disc as seems somewhere halfway between road and true cx bike. Plus the LBS was selling one off for Bang on a Grand.
Waiting for delivery of my Cycle-scheme voucher. Xmas come early.