Cyclocross bikes

tammy

Hi,

I'm in the process of trying to decide what bike to get. I'll be using it predominantly for a daily, decent commute, so it will see a fair bit of action. I would also like to use it in a local country estate which has lots of tracks, not serious MBK tracks, these ones are more for dog walking but are a bit bumpy so a road bike would be out. For these reasons I reckon a Cyclo cross bike is a good option.

I had my eye on this one http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Mares_Cross_2008/5360031288/, but they seem to have stopped doing it in my size, I'm 5'8 so M/56 is what size I need. So the other option is this, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus_Cross_Disc_2008/5360031290/. Does anyone have any experience with the Focus Cross Disc or any other similar bikes I should consider. This bike is pretty much a the boundary of my budget.

Do the likes of wiggles have yearly sales, and when are they?

Thanks
T

TinyExplosions

I don't ride 'cross myself, but have a very high regard of Focus Bikes (have one of their road bikes), so would have recommended the mares cross or cross disc to ya anyway!

Also check out the Specialized TriCross -it's a pretty good bike for the money

DurtyMurty

I've got a Bianchi Axis for much the same reasons your're thinking. It's fairly versatile and very comfortable with the 32mm tyres and curved seatstays but I do feel you lose a bit of speed on the road with the fatter knobbly tyres. It's also prone to front fork vibration under heavy braking - a problem with the canti/carbon combination, so the disc brakes might be worth having. However, overall I'm pretty happy

Double check the size - I'm 5'10" with about 32" inseam and find a 55 just right.
Sizes are a bit different to a racing bike as the bottom bracket gives about 1" more ground clearance

tammy

Thanks for the info guys. Since posting I've read some reviews and it seems that for a little more money I could get the Focus Cross Expert which seems like a great bike from what I've read and they have it in my size. The disc one seems to have got a slightly luke warm reception, though that is based on one single review as I couldn't find any more. When you order bikes from wiggle do they come with pedals or do you have to choose them? Are cleats the best option?

blorg

Generally any high-end bike comes without pedals as you chose your own system. I have a Focus myself (racer) and am very happy with it. Their cross bikes look good to me!

Soccerchipie

Hello,
Need some assistance choosing between the cyclocross bikes selected. Any views and comments would be really appreciated..
Thanks in advance for all your prefessional assistance
Richie

Specialized Tricross Sport: http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38443&eid=123
Dawes Edge X:
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-171-edge-x.aspx
Giant TCX 2:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/road/2299/32184/
Raleigh Airlite U6 XCross
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/airlite-u6-x-cross-2009-road-bike-ec018988

Trojan

Do you want to use it for commuting or cyclocross?

I liked the LeMond Poprad Disc when I did some research back in the day.

billyhead

I reently got the tricross under the bike to work scheme for a commute to work of 20 km each way and I must say its a grand bike. Very comfy compared to the road bike i have. Your more upright on it and I feel a little safer riding it rather then being more slipstreamed on the road bike. Anyway I have had no problems so far on it and enjoy the commute on the bike.

Soccerchipie wrote: »

Hello,
Need some assistance choosing between the cyclocross bikes selected. Any views and comments would be really appreciated..
Thanks in advance for all your prefessional assistance
Richie

Specialized Tricross Sport: http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38443&eid=123
Dawes Edge X:
http://www.dawescycles.com/p-171-edge-x.aspx
Giant TCX 2:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/road/2299/32184/
Raleigh Airlite U6 XCross
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/raleigh/airlite-u6-x-cross-2009-road-bike-ec018988

neilled

Trojan wrote: »

Do you want to use it for commuting or cyclocross?

I liked the LeMond Poprad Disc when I did some research back in the day.

Le Mond are gone but Treks Portland seems to be more or less the same frame geometry, however the components aren't quite as good. Its a 9 speed as oppossed to 10 and has an alu frame as oppossed to steel, then again the price is much lower.

Soccerchipie

Planning to us it for commuting during the week and on/off road fitness/leisure at the weekends. I am a little restricted in relation to the brands I can choose as my company has nominated only 2 bikeshops that I can choose from with the bike to work scheme... Eurocycles and Staggs.
I have a hybrid bike at the moment, which is fine on woodland paths but a little sluggish on the roads. Really what Im looking for is a bike that is pretty quick on the road and able to cope with a little ligt off-roading for less than €1000..... Pretty simple brief eh:):)

Soccerchipie

billyhead wrote: »

I reently got the tricross under the bike to work scheme for a commute to work of 20 km each way and I must say its a grand bike. Very comfy compared to the road bike i have. Your more upright on it and I feel a little safer riding it rather then being more slipstreamed on the road bike. Anyway I have had no problems so far on it and enjoy the commute on the bike.

Thanks for the quick reply Billyhead... I seem to be leaning towards the tricross myself but have heard some bad reports in relation front fork vibrations under breaking particularly on larger frame sizes. Have you any experience of this.

blorg

Soccerchipie wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Billyhead... I seem to be leaning towards the tricross myself but have heard some bad reports in relation front fork vibrations under breaking particularly on larger frame sizes. Have you any experience of this.

I have a 58cm Tricross and I don't get any major fork vibration. It is however a risk with just about any (non-disc brake) cross bike simply due to the nature of the brakes, it can be better or worse and can be addressed through toe-in of the pads.

billyhead

Soccerchipie,

I havent experienced this problem with the bike so far. It may have been blown out of proportion from what others were experiencing. Best of luck with your choice

Soccerchipie wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Billyhead... I seem to be leaning towards the tricross myself but have heard some bad reports in relation front fork vibrations under breaking particularly on larger frame sizes. Have you any experience of this.

Ant

billyhead wrote: »

I havent experienced this problem with the bike so far. It may have been blown out of proportion from what others were experiencing. Best of luck with your choice

I haven't found my Tricross to be any more susceptible to this problem than any other bike I've cycled. Since you're buying from an Irish "bricks and mortar" shop, just be sure to take the bike for a test-ride.

Soccerchipie

Thanks for all the advice guys... looks like I'll have to wait for the 2010 model.. all 2009 stock sold out in 54cm..... Anyone know when the 2010 Tricross sport model is being released??? Found some specialized 2010 models but not the tricross:(

Caroline_ie

Soccerchipie wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys... looks like I'll have to wait for the 2010 model.. all 2009 stock sold out in 54cm..... Anyone know when the 2010 Tricross sport model is being released??? Found some specialized 2010 models but not the tricross:(

afaik the 2010 Specialized bikes are already being sold.

Soccerchipie

Caroline_ie wrote: »

afaik the 2010 Specialized bikes are already being sold.

2010 Tricross sport?????? where??????

Caroline_ie

if you go to spesh retailer, like 53 degrees north in blanch, they can order it for you. they have a few 2010 MTB on display already.

Soccerchipie

Caroline_ie wrote: »

if you go to spesh retailer, like 53 degrees north in blanch, they can order it for you. they have a few 2010 MTB on display already.

No Tricross..... dont know exact date of release.... expecting around end of Sept..:(

mtbireland

What is your budget and what size bike do you need?

Cross bikes are great for commuting.. fast like a road bike.. but you can also ride through potholes and jump up on curbs ....

Soccerchipie

mtbireland wrote: »

What is your budget and what size bike do you need?

Cross bikes are great for commuting.. fast like a road bike.. but you can also ride through potholes and jump up on curbs ....

Budget €1000+/- ... 54cm would be the preferred size... I'm 5'10+... any good suggestion???

Morgan

Short list:

Focus Mares (Expert)
Giant TCX
Kona Jake (The Snake)

Some good prices here:
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cyclo_cross_bikes.php
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Cyclocross_Bikes/

If it was going to be used for commuting I'd be sure to get one that has mudguard eyelets on the fork and frame.

Soccerchipie

Morgan wrote: »

Short list:

Focus Mares (Expert)
Giant TCX
Kona Jake (The Snake)

Some good prices here:
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cyclo_cross_bikes.php
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Cyclocross_Bikes/

If it was going to be used for commuting I'd be sure to get one that has mudguard eyelets on the fork and frame.

Hi Morgan... Mares Expert a little out of the price range... was lookin at the Mares Disc.... but I have to buy from Stagg cycles or Eorocycles.... Bike2work scheme... No Focus dealer in Ireland and neither of the two shops stock focus bikes... Soooo.... Its lookin like the 2010 Specialized Tricross.... The 2009 version http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Specialized_Tricross_sport_27_p/09tcross27.htm
looked a better buy than the Giant TCX ..... The Felt F60X http://www.cycle-world.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s6p6738&tbv=FELT_F60X_BIKES_Racing_-_Road_Racing could also be a runner if eurocycles can get it at the righ price.

Whaddya think??

Soccerchipie

Soccerchipie wrote: »

No Tricross..... dont know exact date of release.... expecting around end of Sept..:(

Its due out soon... available to pre-order now... Same spec... new colour... new HUGE price difference.....
2009 Tricross Sport €900....
2010 Tricross Sport €1200 .... €300 for a new paint job............RIPOFF
Prices from Stagg Cycles!!