Roadbike or Cyclocross for commuting?

D!armu!d · 12-06-2009 07:07PM #1

Was wondering if many people use a cyclocross for commuting? Am looking for a bike primarily for commuting, but also for taking out for longer distances some weekend, building up to WW200 etc.

I had been thinking of a road bike, but the lack of clearance for proper mudguards is putting me off. How do other road bike commuters get by for the winter? Does the wet weather not wreck the drivetrain etc and are raceblades really effective?

The cyclocross bikes look to be a good solution since they have room for mudguards and larger tyres for getting over the potholes. Are there any disadvantages with them?

blorg · 12-06-2009 07:38PM

I use a cyclocross bike for commuting (Specialized Tricross Fixed) with rack and full mudguards but then I have 7 bikes so I have the luxury of specialization.

The Tricross would be absolutely pants (even with gears) at the likes of the W200, longer spins up the mountains, etc. IMHO - compared to a road bike. It makes a decent commuter over shortish distances (or longer if you don't want to go too fast) with the tyres changed to slicks. It's also fun off road on the likes of fire roads with the stock tyres and I mean to try cross racing this winter albeit with another bike.

Race blades don't work quite as well as full length but they do work quite well. Do you wear cycling clothing on the bike? If so, I would not hesitate to get a road bike and use race blades. I use sandals or overshoes most of the time in lieu of the front mudguard.

If you want just the one bike and a sort of "do anything" I would suggest an audax bike- these typically take full guards, up to 700x25c (sometimes 700x28c) tyres and a rack but are still pretty quick up the hills and are eminently suitable to longer distance day cycles (indeed that is what they are designed for.)

A light touring bike would be another good option (basically an audax bike with a bit more tyre clearance.)

What's your budget?

D!armu!d · 12-06-2009 08:09PM

Thanks for the reply, will steer clear of the cyclocross so!

Would be using the cycle-to-work scheme, so about €800 with the rest going on accessories/clothes. Are there link to any audax bikes available in Ireland?

petethedrummer · 12-06-2009 08:24PM

I know there are proper full covering mudguards for the Giant Defy/SCR range, as I was shown them when in buying race blades. I presume its the same for most bikes in the sub €1000 range. I went for SKS race blades for the quickness of attachment and I can't fault them. My bottom has been bone dry for a month now.

I love the look and the idea of cyclocross bikes but if you don't already own a road bike go for a road bike. Though in saying that, cycling from Newbridge to Dublin the other day, I was cursing that I didn't own a Cyclocross bike. I could have taken the canal tow-path home. It would also be nice for taking out in mucky fields, but a MTB will do that for me (if I ever get round to buying one:rolleyes:).

Cyclocross is way down the list in my priority of bikes:
1. General road bike
2. Town runaround (vintage)
3. Hardtail MTB
4. Steel road bike
5. Folder
6. Fancy materialed road bike
7. Fixie
8. Unicycle
9. Cyclocross
10. Full Susp MTB
11. Penny Farthing
12. Recumbent
13. Bugsy Malone Cycle Car

(This is not a grading of the merits of different pedal powered machinery types, merely my envisaged usage preference).

ROK ON · 12-06-2009 08:40PM

Hi. I cycle a Specialised tricross. It is a fantastically comfortable bike. Its like cycling a couch.

Hard wearing. I did the Ring of Kerry cycle on it last year, with cross tyres on. I think that you definitely could do the Wicklow 200 on it - I have done several 100km spins in Wicklow on it. However, it is a reasonably heavy bike - versus a pure road bike. A pure road bike is probably better for something like 200km with a lot of climbing and descending.

Now, I have my knobbly tyres in the shed, and have a pair of 700*25 road tyres on the bike at present.

I recently went up to the Sally Gap on it, having normally used a carbon roadbike. Climbing on carbon is easier. Also, descending was strange, given that the geometry is different. Higher up, so descending is not as comfy.

The advantage of a roadbike, is that it is meant for the road. Simple as that.

The advantage of a cross bike is versatility. Great for commute, comfy, can be ridden offroad, and change the tyres and you have a reasonable (but no more) road bike.

I would recommend a tricross to anyone, but in saying that I did the Wicklow 200 on a roadbike, and will be doing the Ring of Kerry on a road bike, having done it on the Tricross last year.

blorg · 12-06-2009 09:29PM

ROK ON wrote: »

Hi. I cycle a Specialised tricross. It is a fantastically comfortable bike. Its like cycling a couch.

Tom tried mine after the W200 (didn't do it on that, I had gone home to eat/shower and came back on the Tricross.) His conclusion was that it was like a tank with a couch mounted on top

Great commuter- not so great road bike.

13-06-2009 12:08AM

What compromises the cyclocross bike? is it the geometry or the tyres? (I picked up mine tonight - can't try it out properly until I adjust the saddle - its set up for a seven footer...)

ROK ON · 13-06-2009 10:27AM

245 wrote: »

What compromises the cyclocross bike? is it the geometry or the tyres? (I picked up mine tonight - can't try it out properly until I adjust the saddle - its set up for a seven footer...)

Compromised, no not really. But different (slightly).

Thick knobbly type tyres are slow on the road, if road cycling (ie speed/efficiency of movement) is your thing. B ut these can be changed.

I find with mine that the geomettry is both upright and 'short', which means that while it is exceedingly comfo to cycle mostly, descending is awkward, as you cant really get low enough to be confident/comfy or aero on the descents. (ie when in the drop position, my body is still upright - just feels funny) On my road bike, it feels perfeectly natural to be in the drops.

penexpers · 13-06-2009 11:26AM

I have a cross bike and really like the versatility of it. I could get up to 50mm tires onto it (currently trying to get some Big Apples 29 x 2.00). For longer distances, the one I have (Surly Cross Check) is fine too, did a few sportives on it last year and never had any problems with comfort. I get the impression the Tricross is a bit of a tank so I wouldn't base every cross bike on it.

Lumen · 13-06-2009 01:24PM

The geometry of a cross bike isn't very different from a road bike. If you can be bothered, compare the geometry of the Tricross to the Tarmac. I suspect you'll find the differences are longer wheelbase due to significantly longer chainstays and slightly more fork rake. Neither makes descending difficult.

ROK_ON, the Tricross is not a short bike. I'm guessing you can't get low enough whilst descending on the Tricross either because the fit is wrong, or just because of the riser stem (which could be fixed with a quick flip).

That said, when I wanted "one bike for everything", I bought a Kinesis Racelight TK, in the wrong size. Apart from that, it was great - clearance for mudguards, a bit lighter and better brakes than the Tricross. I sold it to Gavin after buying Blorg's carbon race bike, a Tricross singlespeed, and a Focus Mares cross bike.

I'll probably buy an audax bike this winter for training and commuting on.

Take from that what you will!

GlennaMaddy · 15-06-2009 12:17PM

I think the tricross is more if a tourer than a cyclocross bike, so I wouldn't make your judegment on this particular model alone.

I'm riding a focus cyclocross bike at the moment, I put narrow 700x23c tyres on it and there's no noticeable difference between the ride on this bike when compared to my previous road-bike. In fact it handles like a proper road bike on cornders. It has a shorter wheelbase than other cyclocross bikes, but not as short as the Scott CX models.

I comfortably rode the W200 on a CX'r

I don't ride a road-bike anymore, and it's unlikely I ever will again.

locha · 15-06-2009 10:29PM

Was in your position last year. I ended up buying a Sepcialized Tri Cross. I did the WW100 and the ROK and struggled around both. While I love the bike for commuting, especially the fact that the brakes are on the handle bars in addition to the drop down positon, I am now very tempted to get a road bike.
Im not sure what the surface you are commuting on is like but if it is in good shape I would be more inclined to go wiht the road bike.

dave2pvd · 16-06-2009 06:52PM

I have a Fuji Cross Pro. I use it on plenty of training rides, especially in Winter. I have done several long rides on it, including >100mi rides. It is the bike I will always pick when commuting around town. The wheels I use are Aksiums with 23C tyres mounted.

A CX bike is an ideal training/commuting bike.

Other than being heavy (20lbs), geared differently (1x10) and having a longer wheelbase, there's not too much difference between the CX bike and my road racing bike from a ride quality perspective.

Roadbike or Cyclocross for commuting?

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