Top end commuter bike - please help narrow my options

theMAC

Hi all,
 
This is a long post, but I am you can help me narrow down my choice of commuter bike.  There is just so much choice out there and I don’t know any cyclists, so I have turned to the good people at boards for some advice.  If you have the time please have a look at this post and try to chime in with some advice.
 
I am looking to purchase on the BTW scheme, and am happy to spend the full allocation on the right setup.  I would like to leave some cash after the bike purchase for the required accessories.
 
I am looking for a bike to commute 30km each way, 2 maybe 3 times per week.  It would be great if the bike could handle dry grass tracks or canal paths but I am not looking to go off road or anything like that.  My commute will be all roads and I am definitely looking for a flat bar bike.
 
For the BTW scheme I have to purchase off one of the stores on taxfreebicycles.
http://taxfreebicycles.com/?page_id=57
 
I am a reasonably fit 36yo male and am 5’9”.  I am not looking to get into racing or anything like that.  I am just seeing the commute as an opportunity to keep on top of my fitness and enjoy a cycle to work.
 
I was in Eurocycles Airside yesterday to look at a few bikes and try getting a feel for what I liked.  I was in to look at the Felt QX85, http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/felt/qx85-mens-midnight ; I didn’t see it in store.
 
I also wanted a look at the Felt Xcity1, but they are out of stock. http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/felt/xcity-1
 
The guys in store recommended the Corratec X-Vert Counrty @€;549
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=71837
The recommendation was “they were a lot of bike for the money” and I do like the disk brake option.  I had a quick cycle.  First impressions were that it was a little heavy, but in the short cycle I had, it seems a quick enough bike with comfortable saddle, with excellent gear shift.
 
After reading a few reviews online there Corratec do not seem to be getting good reviews.  The general consensus is that they are an average bike, so I’m looking to do a little more research.
 
I did have a small cycle on a bike similar to the QX85.  I think it was a Scott bike around the €750 mark.  It didn’t have disk brakes.  First impression on that one was that it was a less comfortable and the narrow tyres put me off a bit as well. I am looking for something that won’t puncture too often as I’m doing 60km 2 or 3 days a week. I think the option to fit good tyres will be paramount for me.
 
So, I was hoping those of you out there that know bicycles or have been through this process already might be able to step in and help me narrow my choice.
 
I am not sure if there is much benefit to the suspension forks with the lockout option, but I do like a slightly wider tyres to those found on the road bikes and I like the disk brake option.  I was thinking perhaps I could look to change the wheel / tyre setup on the bike I end up with.  I’m not sure how viable that is with the bikes I am looking at below.
 
As well as the above I was looking at the
Trek 7500 - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/trek/7500-gent-silver
 
Felt QX80 (no disk brakes) - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/felt/qx80-mens-twilight-mist
 
Looking at the cyclesuperstore web site some of the LaPierre bikes look good.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idCategory=32
 
The Sharper 300 looks quality, but no disk brakes.
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=54991
 
I’m also looking at some of the specialized bikes on the mycycle website.  I don’t know this brand though.  Any thoughts?
http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-crosstrail-disc-2013-p/spctd13.htm
http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-crosstrail-sport-disc-2013-p/spctsod13.htm
 
Or maybe even a Giant
http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-crosstrail-sport-disc-2013-p/spctsod13.htm
 
I suppose to sum up I am looking for a lightweight fast bike that can take a knock or two, with disk brakes.  I don’t like the full on road tyre, so I am looking for a good tyre that will take the miles without too many punctures.  If someone can pop a link in here with a definitive
 
“Here you go Kev, Excellent bike, does all you need it 2 and won’t let you down” 
 
If it was around the €800 mark so I can fit myself out with a few essentials, all the better.
 
Thanks for taking the time!
 
Kevin
 

macnab

Just a few thoughts on this.

I bought a Felt QX-85 as a winter commuter to save my good bike from wearing out its expensive parts. I have a 90km round trip to work and the Felt was way too heavy for my moderately hilly route (Summerhill, Meath to Dublin 4) The mechanical (as in not hydraulic) disk brakes are not as good as my standard set up.
The flat bar means you really only have one way to place your hands which leads to fatigue. The lack of drops means you cant duck down low into an oncoming wind.
The upright riding position puts a lot of pressure on your butt which leads to discomfort, in comparison to a roadbike.
I recently spent €200 on a second hand Carrera TDF and the Felt has not been out of the garage since.
As for suspension, you only need it for mountain bikes if they are used in aggressive and fast downhill mountain courses. Otherwise it is only added weight and added expense.

As for suggestions, I see Eurocycles have a Eurotrek TDF discounted to €360, that cant be bad value. I dont know anything about the bike but it has a good basic entry level spec, very similar to my Carrera TDF which is nearly twice that price new.

theMAC

I have a similar commute. I'm travelling from Ratoath, but thankfully stop in Dublin 17. It's been some time since I've tried to cycle a drop bar nbike and back then I didn't get on too well with it at the time. This is the main reason why I would be looking towards a hybrid / flat bar type bike. I did see a nice Felt 30 on Adverts, so perhaps I might go this route second hand and then I can upgrade on the BTW scheme and go for a drop bar option then.... mmm..... more for me to ponder.

If anyone is doing a similar commute on a hybrid bike or know a nice hybrid that is light and up to this task, please let me know.

Thanks,

Kevin

macnab wrote: »

Just a few thoughts on this.

I bought a Felt QX-85 as a winter commuter to save my good bike from wearing out its expensive parts. I have a 90km round trip to work and the Felt was way too heavy for my moderately hilly route (Summerhill, Meath to Dublin 4) The mechanical (as in not hydraulic) disk brakes are not as good as my standard set up.
The flat bar means you really only have one way to place your hands which leads to fatigue. The lack of drops means you cant duck down low into an oncoming wind.
The upright riding position puts a lot of pressure on your butt which leads to discomfort, in comparison to a roadbike.
I recently spent €200 on a second hand Carrera TDF and the Felt has not been out of the garage since.
As for suspension, you only need it for mountain bikes if they are used in aggressive and fast downhill mountain courses. Otherwise it is only added weight and added expense.

As for suggestions, I see Eurocycles have a Eurotrek TDF discounted to €360, that cant be bad value. I dont know anything about the bike but it has a good basic entry level spec, very similar to my Carrera TDF which is nearly twice that price new.

lennymc

I have a 50 odd km commute each way, and i really would recomend a drop bar bike. Its way more comfy than a flat bar bike and give so many more hand placement options. Some sort of CX bike with road tyres sounds like the kind of bike that would suit your requirements. It will do grass tracks, canal paths, roads, they are comfy, most will have mudguard eyelets and pannier rack mounting. Spend the full amount on a light good quality bike. a 30k commute on a heavy bike will be horrible. There are a large number of people on here who bought hybrids for commutes, and ended up changing to drop bar bikes.

theMAC

Thanks lenny,
I'll give that option some serious thought. Looks like I will have to try lay my hands on a road bike to see if I still don't get on with the drop bars :-)

Thanks lads!

Kevin

lennymc wrote: »

I have a 50 odd km commute each way, and i really would recomend a drop bar bike. Its way more comfy than a flat bar bike and give so many more hand placement options. Some sort of CX bike with road tyres sounds like the kind of bike that would suit your requirements. It will do grass tracks, canal paths, roads, they are comfy, most will have mudguard eyelets and pannier rack mounting. Spend the full amount on a light good quality bike. a 30k commute on a heavy bike will be horrible. There are a large number of people on here who bought hybrids for commutes, and ended up changing to drop bar bikes.

Wishbone Ash

I'd have to agree with the other lads in saying that you should really consider drop bars. A 60km round trip would be an above average commute and, if you have to do 30kms into a headwind, you'll lose the will to live on a flat bar.

Many people seem to be lulled into getting a hybrid or a MTB on the BTW scheme and later regret it.

theMAC

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'd have to agree with the other lads in saying that you should really consider drop bars. A 60km round trip would be an above average commute and, if you have to do 30kms into a headwind, you'll lose the will to live on a flat bar.

Many people seem to be lulled into getting a hybrid or a MTB on the BTW scheme and later regret it.

Thanks to Lenny, I now have to start my research into a cyclocross bike . I honestly have never heard of them until this evening. I like the idea of the drop bars with a slightly elevated cycling position. I also like the idea of getting wider tyres that are tougher for commuting. I think I might have found an answer.

So this thread changes tack! Can anyone recommended a cyclo cross bike at around the 900 mark. Ideally I would like a little change put of the 1000 for a few bits, but I don't mind pushing the budget a little for the right bike.....

Again, thanks all, I really appreciate the insight!

Kevin

Brian?

What is it about the drop bars you didn't get on with?

lennymc

cx bike (imho) is a great all rounder. you can have the wider tyres, the relaxed (compared to a road bike) position, multiple hand positions on the hoods, it will take tyres, racks, mudguards etc.

I ride a giant TCX 2.0 (i also race it) and it has been fine. Its my commuter bike now, as i plan on racing something else for this years CX.

CHainreaction have ridley cross biks on offer at the moment for around 900, which look like good value.

slideshow bob

theMAC wrote: »

Can anyone recommended a cyclo cross bike at around the 900 mark. Ideally I would like a little change put of the 1000 for a few bits, but I don't mind pushing the budget a little for the right bike.....

Agree with everything here and the CX bike is the way to go. My advice is spend all the money on the bike and dont hold any back for accessories. You can find bargains and buy a few bits a month with the money you save on petrol/diesel/bus fares(/runners?).

Lumen

FWIW, I disagree that a CX bike is the best choice for commuting, because canti brakes with integrated levers/shifters on drop bars are crap.

Wider tyres are slow and unnecessary, except in icy conditions.

I'd take the safety of good braking over the safety of wider tyres.

smacl

Lumen wrote: »

I'd take the safety of good braking over the safety of wider tyres.

Probably outside the OP's budget, but how would you rate the Croix de fer? Lovely looking all rounder.

lennymc

Lumen wrote: »

FWIW, I disagree that a CX bike is the best choice for commuting, because canti brakes with integrated levers/shifters on drop bars are crap.

Wider tyres are slow and unnecessary, except in icy conditions.

I'd take the safety of good braking over the safety of wider tyres.

The canti brakes on my yoke are perfectly adequate (with extra cx bar levers). I have had to use them in anger a few times and have been able to stop, however, they dont have the same stopping power as road calipers. Ive never ridden a cx bike with disk brakes, what do you reckon on them Lumen? Your frankenmtbwithdropbarscommuter has disks doesnt it? I do remember the first time i rode an mtb with disks, - i remember being quite impressed at their stopping power as I gracefully went head first over the bars into a pile of mud
Many cx bikes with disks available sub 1000 euro online.

theMAC

Brian? wrote: »

What is it about the drop bars you didn't get on with?

Hi Brian,
It was always the very low riding position of a road / race bike that put me off, I just never felt comfortable enough on them to consider it for a commute. It's nice to hear of this CX option. I am going to see if I can get a cycle on one first though. From what I have read, these look like the right option for the distance and I can also cycle a little off road if required. Looks like I have more research to do and I have expanded my options rather than narrow them. If I get a cycle of a CX and like them, I think this will be the preferred option.

Kevin

Lumen

smacl wrote: »

Probably outside the OP's budget, but how would you rate the Croix de fer? Lovely looking all rounder.

It looks nice. Expensive though.

lennymc wrote: »

Ive never ridden a cx bike with disk brakes, what do you reckon on them Lumen? Your frankenmtbwithdropbarscommuter has disks doesnt it?

Yes, my On One Pompetamine Versa has the same BB7 mechanical disc brakes as that Genesis, and I like them for commuting use. Wouldn't want them on a weekend bike though, rim brakes modulate better and are lighter and easier to set up.

lennymc wrote: »

The canti brakes on my yoke are perfectly adequate (with extra cx bar levers). I have had to use them in anger a few times and have been able to stop, however, they dont have the same stopping power as road calipers.

I don't really like rim brakes in traffic in the wet, due to the fact that it takes 2m of braking distance to clear the water off the rim. That 2m may be the difference between stopping behind the taxi, and stopping inside the taxi. Cantis are just an extra step too far, in my subjective opinion.

Of course, it's always necessary to ride more carefully in the wet, whatever brakes you have.

As for the extra levers, I liked them on my first CX bike but eventually found I wasn't using them. Braking from the tops isn't ideal in an emergency.

lennymc wrote: »

Many cx bikes with disks available sub 1000 euro online.

There are? ....searches....like this?

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/focus-mares-ax-20-cyclocross-bike-id65647.html

€876, Shimano 105, and in my size. Must....resist..... Ah, but it's in-store only. I wonder whether their arm could be twisted?

Brian?

theMAC wrote: »

Hi Brian,
It was always the very low riding position of a road / race bike that put me off, I just never felt comfortable enough on them to consider it for a commute. It's nice to hear of this CX option. I am going to see if I can get a cycle on one first though. From what I have read, these look like the right option for the distance and I can also cycle a little off road if required. Looks like I have more research to do and I have expanded my options rather than narrow them. If I get a cycle of a CX and like them, I think this will be the preferred option.

Kevin

You know there's a myriad of adjustments you can do to make a road bike more comfortable? You can add spacers under the stem and even flip the stem so it's angled up.

Most of the time is spent with your hands on the tops or hoods as well, not actually on the drops.

Nothing against a CX bike at all. But I wouldn't rule out a decent 2nd hand road bike.

lennymc

in my own case, the cx was more suitable as I need to ride at least 10km every day, hail rain wind or ice. With the clearance of the cx I could fit studded tyres and get around during the icy winter mornings. A decent 2nd hand roadbike would be fine, but wouldnt (imho) have the tyre clearance. Ive changed from commuting on a decent road bike to the cx bike because it will take the wider studded tyres, it will also take proper mudguards rather than the crud road racers I was using (admittedly the road bike was a full carbon bike with no clearance) and it will take a pannier rack so I no longer need to carry a back pack.

My ideal commuter would probably be a nice drop bar custom made steel bike with disk brakes, hub dynamo up front, rack, mudguards, powermeter, clearance for winter tyres.

Lumen

lennymc wrote: »

in my own case, the cx was more suitable as I need to ride at least 10km every day, hail rain wind or ice. With the clearance of the cx I could fit studded tyres and get around during the icy winter mornings. A decent 2nd hand roadbike would be fine, but wouldnt (imho) have the tyre clearance.

How many days a year is it really icy?

My current solution is to have three bikes.

1. Nice road bike* without mudguards, for racing and fun cycling.
2. Commuter with 700x23c tyres, mudguards etc.
3. Ice bike.

* OK, so this is actually two bikes, but I could totally cut down if I needed to. Honest.

My reasoning is that studded tyres are so hateful I can only bring myself to use them when the roads are properly lethal.

theMAC

Thanks for all the comments guys. I'm really only looking for one bike and so far I think the CX ticks the boxes. I agree that you won't get the same speed with the CX tyres, but the guy in the shop in Euro cycles did mention that you have to keep on top of road tyre pressure and they are much more prone to a puncture.

I am lucky as I can choose my commute days, but I do want a tougher tyre. Also, it is really handy to know I can go for a cycle in the park with my son as he starts cycling more himself. I don't mind loosing some speed and I suppose every bike will be a comrmise in one way or another.

Keep the suggestion coming guys, I really appreciate the insights.

The research continues :-)

smacl

theMAC wrote: »

I am lucky as I can choose my commute days, but I do want a tougher tyre.

Tougher tyre doesn't necessarily mean wider tyre. I've been running 25mm Durano plus tyres on my road bike and they've yet to puncture in the last year and a half. CX / wider knobbly tyres are more about rough terrain, fire roads etc... which can also be great fun.

theMAC

Brian? wrote: »

You know there's a myriad of adjustments you can do to make a road bike more comfortable? You can add spacers under the stem and even flip the stem so it's angled up.

Most of the time is spent with your hands on the tops or hoods as well, not actually on the drops.

Nothing against a CX bike at all. But I wouldn't rule out a decent 2nd hand road bike.

I was in euro cycles just a short while ago and the guy in there mentioned the same thing. He said I was also probably on a wrong size bike, which would compound the problem... way too much to think about now.... I never should have started with you guys.... lol

I like the CX for the one bike does more point of view. I also like the idea of a much tougher tyre that does no need to be minded...

Also, I would like to go new on the BTW scheme as I can save a few quid, but also pay in installments.

Thanks all,

Kevin

Invincible

A friend of mine bought this lately from mycycle for €881 new.

http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-tricross-2013-p/sptr.htm

Seweryn

theMAC wrote: »

Hi all,
 
This is a long post...
 
I suppose to sum up I am looking for a lightweight fast bike that can take a knock or two, with disk brakes.  I don’t like the full on road tyre, so I am looking for a good tyre that will take the miles without too many punctures.  If someone can pop a link in here with a definitive

If it was around the €800 mark so I can fit myself out with a few essentials, all the better.
 
Thanks for taking the time!
 
Kevin
 

Hi Kevin,

My commute is very same distance to yours and I cycle to work every day since I started in October 2011.

When I took the decision about cycling to work, I started looking for the best bike for the job and after many hours, days and months of contemplating which bike I should get, I bought this one and I still love it and look forward to ride it to work every morning and back in the evening. I nearly regretted the decision when I stretched the budget, but the bike paid for itself already and is a real pleasure to ride. I was to do it again, I would end up with a similar set up.

simonhumphries

Listen to Lumen

Silver-Tiger

macnab wrote: »

Just a few thoughts on this.

I bought a Felt QX-85 as a winter commuter to save my good bike from wearing out its expensive parts. I have a 90km round trip to work and the Felt was way too heavy for my moderately hilly route (Summerhill, Meath to Dublin 4) The mechanical (as in not hydraulic) disk brakes are not as good as my standard set up.
The flat bar means you really only have one way to place your hands which leads to fatigue. The lack of drops means you cant duck down low into an oncoming wind.
The upright riding position puts a lot of pressure on your butt which leads to discomfort, in comparison to a roadbike.
I recently spent €200 on a second hand Carrera TDF and the Felt has not been out of the garage since.
As for suspension, you only need it for mountain bikes if they are used in aggressive and fast downhill mountain courses. Otherwise it is only added weight and added expense.

As for suggestions, I see Eurocycles have a Eurotrek TDF discounted to €360, that cant be bad value. I dont know anything about the bike but it has a good basic entry level spec, very similar to my Carrera TDF which is nearly twice that price new.

Hi

I'm replacing my Carrera Vanquish as it was stolen and i see you speak highly of the TDF. I only have a 25km round trip each day.

Any reason i should pick the TDF over the virtuoso?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810675_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810707_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

Thanks for any help.

dissed doc

A top end commuting bike might be Idworx Rapid One, but budget is around €2.5k. Might also not be worth it

http://www.idworx-bikes.de/nl/bikes/rapid-one/

theMAC

dissed doc wrote: »

A top end commuting bike might be Idworx Rapid One, but budget is around €2.5k. Might also not be worth it

http://www.idworx-bikes.de/nl/bikes/rapid-one/

I'm starting to see that now. . There is an amazing amount of choice out there!

reallyunique

I've been looking at a Genesis Croix de Fer frame for my commute project. There's a CdF version with most of the goodness of the standard bike but simpler tubing. It's substantially cheaper at 899 and unless you're tackling hills the weight won't matter much. Similarly, wide tyres won't hold you back either, it's a commute, not a race. Unless you're being timed then go for the extra comfort

zindicato

how about this one here tis only a few months old and very comfy ...it has eyelets for racks also use to come with 28 c tyres but running on 23's now and not a botherhttp://www.adverts.ie/bikes/great-hybrid-bike-marin-mill-valley/3305664 costs nearly double the asking price a few months ago in cycle surgery in dundrum only reason im selling it is im doing more miles now going up the hills and i need a drop bars road bike for it.

smacl

zindicato wrote: »

only reason im selling it is im doing more miles now going up the hills and i need a drop bars road bike for it.

Your honesty looks like it could lose you the sale there

lennymc

Lumen wrote: »

How many days a year is it really icy?

My current solution is to have three bikes.

1. Nice road bike* without mudguards, for racing and fun cycling.
2. Commuter with 700x23c tyres, mudguards etc.
3. Ice bike.

* OK, so this is actually two bikes, but I could totally cut down if I needed to. Honest.

My reasoning is that studded tyres are so hateful I can only bring myself to use them when the roads are properly lethal.

when you positively absolutely have to use your bike in icy conditions, ice tyres are nice and they only take a couple of minutes to put on the bike once you have a second set of wheels.

Ive been using the cx bike as a commuter for a couple of weeks now, and i do think its the best all rounder for my needs. Its just as fast as the road bike (with road tyres), its comfy, full mudguars, rack. Ive been using it for training too.

Lumen

lennymc wrote: »

when you positively absolutely have to use your bike in icy conditions, ice tyres are nice and they only take a couple of minutes to put on the bike once you have a second set of wheels

This is true, unless you have disc brakes and hub gears.

zindicato

smacl wrote: »

Your honesty looks like it could lose you the sale there

Dont mind really tis a great bike if it doesnt sell ill keep it:)

theMAC

Thanks to some very helpful suggestions, I am throwing out the idea of a flat bar.
 
Ok, So CX it is
I like the idea of being able to do a little more with the bike if required.  Again, thanks to some really good suggestions here (and elsewhere), I am going to remove the knobby tyres and go for a slicker tyre that is more puncture proof.  I am thinking of Gatorskin tyres at the moment.  For comfort and as I have not been on a bicycle for any length of time in some years, I am going to run a slightly wider tyre.  Probably 30mm.
 
Ok, So I am now looking at some CX bikes…
I have to purchase from http://taxfreebicycles.com/?page_id=57 to qualify for the BTW scheme.
 
If you guys have time to help me pick from the following or even suggest an alternative, it would be really appreciated..  I am unsure if I should go for the disks or just stick with the cantilevers.  As I do more biking I might run 2 sets of wheels, one for road and one for off-road / tracks and such.  I think the cantilevers would be easier for wheel swapping, but would really appreciate your opinions here.  So far I am looking at
 
Specialized Cross - http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-tricross-2013-p/sptr.htm
Genesis CDF - http://www.mycycle.ie/genesis-cdf-p/gencdf.htm
Boardman Team CX - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777735_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2
Ridley X-Bow- http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=59258
Focus Mares AX2.0 - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/focus/mares-ax2-0
Corratec C-CROSS - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/corratec/c-cross-105-52cm
 
It would be really great to get some thoughts from you guys even if you just let me know which you would get (if any) and why.
 
Thanks very much for the comments / insights thus far,
 
Kevin

Brian?

theMAC wrote: »

Thanks to some very helpful suggestions, I am throwing out the idea of a flat bar.
 
Ok, So CX it is
I like the idea of being able to do a little more with the bike if required.  Again, thanks to some really good suggestions here (and elsewhere), I am going to remove the knobby tyres and go for a slicker tyre that is more puncture proof.  I am thinking of Gatorskin tyres at the moment.  For comfort and as I have not been on a bicycle for any length of time in some years, I am going to run a slightly wider tyre.  Probably 30mm.
 
Ok, So I am now looking at some CX bikes…
I have to purchase from http://taxfreebicycles.com/?page_id=57 to qualify for the BTW scheme.
 
If you guys have time to help me pick from the following or even suggest an alternative, it would be really appreciated..  I am unsure if I should go for the disks or just stick with the cantilevers.  As I do more biking I might run 2 sets of wheels, one for road and one for off-road / tracks and such.  I think the cantilevers would be easier for wheel swapping, but would really appreciate your opinions here.  So far I am looking at
 
Specialized Cross - http://www.mycycle.ie/specialized-tricross-2013-p/sptr.htm
Genesis CDF - http://www.mycycle.ie/genesis-cdf-p/gencdf.htm
Boardman Team CX - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_777735_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2
Ridley X-Bow- http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=59258
Focus Mares AX2.0 - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/focus/mares-ax2-0
Corratec C-CROSS - http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/corratec/c-cross-105-52cm
 
It would be really great to get some thoughts from you guys even if you just let me know which you would get (if any) and why.
 
Thanks very much for the comments / insights thus far,
 
Kevin

The Focus looks the best value to me. Only drawback is the lack of disc brakes, which I don't really think is that much of a drawback

theMAC

Anyone else got any thought on the selection of CX bikes? I may might see if I can get a look at the ridley bow as well?