Cyclocross vs Road Bike for 20KM Commute Each Way

Ozzy_Oz

Hi All,
First post to the site - getting back into the cycling again and hoping to do some triathlons this year - the distance to work is 20K each way which I'm trying to do 3 times a week. Am going to avail of the bike to work scheme in getting a new bike and wanted some advice on whether or not to go for a road bike or a Cyclocross bike. Advice from one or two of the shops I've been to is that a Cyclocross bike would be best given the potholes etc. I could then change the tyres for a triathlon. I'm still incluned to go for an all out racing bike as there are some good deals out there - I have a budget in or around €1000
The two I had narrowed it down to are as follows:
RoadBike - Felt Z75/85
http://www.feltbicycles.com/Ireland/2010-Product-Catalog/Road/Z-Series/Z75.aspx
http://www.feltbicycles.com/Ireland/2010-Product-Catalog/Road/Z-Series/Z85.aspx

Cosscycle - Focus Mares
http://www.focus-bikes.com/index.php?id=23&L=0&R=1&tx_dcwproductdbfe_pi1[cat_id]=13&tx_dcwproductdbfe_pi1[pr_id]=174&cHash=13cc858edb932938d14dc1b888321f35

Any Advice very much appreciated!

blorg

Get an all out racing bike, they are absolutely fine for use on road. You will get up to 700x28c tyres on most particularly at entry level which will give a lot of comfort. 700x25 is more than enough for general use. Race on 700x23s, and get aero bars, they make a big difference.

You only want a cyclocross bike if you want to race cross, or stick a rack and panniers on for loaded touring; some cross bikes can be good for that. Having said that with the right cross bike it can be a competitor and I have seen them even in road races. Cross bikes actually intended for racing tend not to have useful things like bottle cage mounts. The braking is also, IMO, much worse on a cross bike.

I have three cross frames and three road ones so have some general experience of the differences.

Ozzy_Oz

Thanks Blorg - very much appreciated - any advice on what road bike to go for in or around the €1000 mark?

blorg

I would get a Planet X, there is one with SRAM Rival for £999.

A guy in Navan Road club is re-selling these for €1,050 which is a fair bit cheaper than buying direct from PX when you consider the currency, postage etc.

There really isn't much near it at that price range.

SwimBikeRunIRE

Agree with the post above, go for the road bike. you will get a decent bike for 1000E as its a really competitive price bracket.

Can't speak too much on the SRAM side of things, but you should expect to get at least full Tiagra on your bike.

A solid option to consider is the Specialised Allez ELITE bike. A couple of the guys I ride with have this and have only said positive things.

Good luck,
Paul

Ozzy_Oz

Thanks for that guys appreciate it - very interested in the Planet X -SL Pro Carbon SRAM Rival however can't seem to find any bicycle shops in the Biketowork scheme that carry them?

kenmc

You won't it's a web only (?/mainly) operation, but there are many members of this forum have one, me included. Love mine.
AFAIK (but am open to correction) you can still get one on the BTW scheme though, your company does not have to deal with an irish store.

Ozzy_Oz

Thanks KenMc - unfortunately I'm restricted to the biketowork.ie and raleightowork.ie list of retailers so that's out for me. Pity cos I really like the look of the Planet X - anyone know of any Irish retailers who can do this?
Thanks

short circuit

Ozzy_Oz wrote: »

Thanks KenMc - unfortunately I'm restricted to the biketowork.ie and raleightowork.ie list of retailers so that's out for me. Pity cos I really like the look of the Planet X - anyone know of any Irish retailers who can do this?
Thanks

I would doubt it ... but you could ask some of the smaller bike shops on the scheme to see if they could get it in for you ... but you might have to pay extra to make it worth their while ... perhaps get it unbuild and get the shop to put it together for you .. so that there is something in it for them. Also, you might have to cover their 5 or 10% which these schemes seem to charge the bikeshop. I don't think any of the bigger shops will go for this as it might have some impact on other dealerships they might have got ... don't know for sure.

blorg

Ozzy_Oz wrote: »

Thanks KenMc - unfortunately I'm restricted to the biketowork.ie and raleightowork.ie list of retailers so that's out for me. Pity cos I really like the look of the Planet X - anyone know of any Irish retailers who can do this?
Thanks

Those middlemen really are the sordid underbelly of the whole bike scheme. I would have suggested a Boardman but Halfords not on that list either. Basically if you want comparable to the Planet X from something on that list you are looking at spending €1,500, of which €1,000 will be tax-free. You could get something like a Dolan Mythos.