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Newbie decisions!
Hi all
I have been commuting to work on a very heavy Raleigh strada 4 hybrid for a couple of months now and have decided to take the next step in bike ownership. I'd like a bike that can do all road conditions and my route to work in the winter will be a leaf and branch graveyard. For this reason, perhaps incorrectly, I have been looking at cx bikes. I currently have a norco seach 105 alloy on order for a test ride priced at £712 which I believe is a great deal? I also tried a giant revolt which seemed low spec for the money. Any ideas on other bikes to look at and if the narco will be any good?
Cheers
A
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22 comments
Just went to try the norco and it looked great but didn't set my world alight. However... the lad in the shop had a gt grade and that was awesome! Evans don't sell it anymore but he gave a glowing review. Now to find a 105 version!
The gt frame looks great! Just about to test ride the norco so will report back
Get a GT Grade. I just bought one off Chain Reaction. Its amazing fun!!! I also have a Ridley X-Bow cross bike, but the GT is so much better handling! First commute to work I managed 18.7mph average. The Tiagra version is about £649 but with British Cycling discount and quidco it worked out £570!!! I think the 105 version is about £699 as well.
My Narco bike was delivered late to Evans so not going to test ride until tomorrow. I've been putting more thought into getting a bike for the dry and using my Hybrid as commuter. My friend at work sent me this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ventura-CP50-700c-23-Inch-Pro-Road-Bike-Unisex...
Is this cheap for a reason? I've had a quick google and people seem to think that this is a ridiculously good deal?
Have you considered the Hoy Shizuoka Range?
This is pretty much my "Do anything bike" in that I've done 65+ miles of Peak District roads and climbs (keeping up with my friends on their full on road bikes) but also can put 32-34mm cyclocross tyres on it and it will go down more or less any bridlepath or gravel track with no problems.
Although it's categorised as a "hybrid"- the geometry is more towards the road bike with flat bars, but with the added bonus of hydraulic brakes for under £600. In fact on the more technical/narrow descents on the road, this is the bike I've set my Strava PR's on over my Giant Defy- just because of how confident the brakes and handling make you feel.
Also nice feature is with the minimal 1x style drivetrain and with the hydraulic hoses, this is a great winter bike in that maintenance is pretty minimal as you've only one cable to look after- can also fit full mud guards plus panniers with no problems.
Hi SuperPython!
I hear what you are saying. Part of the reson for buying a new bike is so that I can have a do-it-all steed which I can use on the commute as well as longer 80 mile runs with friends. I'm not sure about having a bike that only comes out at the weekends.
Also The starda is a 53" frane which seems to be giving me knee ache. I'm 5'10" and from trying out new bikes it seems I fit on larger frames more comfortably.
One thing that I have negleted to do is get down to my local bike shop and discuss options with them. I'm going to see them this afternoon for a chat. The Starda needs a service so I'll discuss options for 'pimpin' my ride' with them...
Cheers
Dammit forgot about the plant x bike!!! Ahhh choices!
Great answers from everyone on here. Appreciate all your help.
I think I have 3 new bikes in mind now...
Norco search alloy 105
Giant revolt 2
Boardman cx comp
I have the norco for a test ride on Thursday so will make up my mind on that after that. The giant looks great as it also has brakes on the flats which appeals to my back! And the Boardman.... wow that's cheap!!!!
The only thing to keep an eye on for cx bikes is the gearing; cx bikes often use much smaller chainrings than road bikes. However, you could always trade the cranks that come with the bikes for road ones. Do it on eBay and it won't cost you anything either!
Not sure this is necessarily the case. CX bikes traditionally have 46/36 double which IMHO is better spacing than the 50/34 of a typical compact, where there is a hefty jump between chainrings.
Having said that, some brands are latching onto the trend for 1x drivetrains, which makes sense in cyclo-cross.
Would suggest you look at what are now called 'gravel' bikes instead of CX models, which have shorter wheelbase and twitchier steering than a true go-anywhere machine as they are really designed for racing cyclo-cross.
If you're looking to go offroad at weekends look for something with 34 or 36 tooth inner ring and a rear derailleur that can take work with a 32t cassette - you'll want that lower gearing when mudplugging or grinding up a fire road.
I'd suggest bikes like the Pinnacle from Evans, Giant Revolt, Boardman CX Comp or Team (both were designed as all-rounders rather than a pure race bike), Kona Rove AL. I was going to include the Genesis CdA, a direct descendent of the record-breaking bike that started it all, but it looks like they've dropped it from the range
Agree with the suggestion, but the most of the new 'gravel bikes' i've seen no longer seem to be rebranded models designed for 'cross - the head angles, rake, wheel-base and BB height are moving away from the more traditional race values. Small changes to be sure, but enough to change the intended character - in particular there seems to be a move to greater stability off-tarmac at the (marginal) expense of some change of direction speed.
Specialized Cruz Elite - possible upgrade project, looks good but needs thought over - £351 Buy it Now.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-Crux-Elite-Large-56cm-Top-Tube-Car...
Possible Campag Athena Specialized Crux snipe at £450 22hrs left - had a bit of abuse though
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-crux-cyclo-cross-bike-/25252539542...
CAAD X 105 currently at £500 (just 1 hour left on auction though)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-CAADX-105-11-Speed-Cycle-Shimano-Si...
CAAD X 105 - ace paintjob - offer this guy £670 outside of eBay so he saves fees. Fair deal for both.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondale-CAADX-CX-hydrualic-disc-22-spd-/291...
Giant TCX SLR 2 - offer these guys £650 outside of eBay - they'll should take it being a shop and ex demo model.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SALE-2016-GIANT-TCX-SLR-2-CYCLO-CROSS-BICYCLE-...
Quick 5 min look. Will try again tonight on some other models.
Cheers!
Thanks for the info, glad I'm on the right track with a CX bike! I love the look of the Plant x bikes so very tempted by those now!
I think you're bang on about the cx type bike for the riding you describe. If it can take 25 - 32 mm tyres, brilliant, and also mudguards. You'll have a machine suitable for all year round riding then.
Second hand is always worth a look, there are plenty of people who splash out on new bikes and decide it isn't for them.
Take a look at something like the Planet X London Road - discs, space for guards and big tyres - currently £799 and they do 0% finance.
Evans in-house range Pinnacle do similar bikes (Arkose) at a similar price.
On eBay look for a used Genesis Equilibrium or Charge Plug or a Kinesis Crosslight - you'll get a great do-it-all bike for around £500.
Just seen this on Chain reaction cycles... looks a good deal?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/raleigh-rx-elite-cyclo-x-bike-2016/rp...
Excellent. Thanks for the info. That would be really helpful if you could. My budget will be lower if buying outright as I was going to take advantage of their 0% finance deal. I did look at the cycle to work scheme but it looked too much of a faff if I leave the company.
Where did you get the 11kg weight for the Revolt 1? Cycling weekly put it at 10.25kg.
Personally, I'd be on eBay looking at nearly new cross bikes before throwing money at Evans. Yes you will feel the weight of a 12kg to 10kg ride. I'll have a scan on eBay later and see if anything catches my eye.
Thanks for the reply. I didn't really notice the extra weight to be honest. The Giant is close to 11kgs so not that much lighter. Will I notice the difference massively? i thought that at the price the Norco seemed to be pretty well specced. I'll get down to the giant shop again tonight and have a closer look.
Giant Revolt 1 is about 2KG lighter than the Norco Search. Dooes anyone really need a 12KG bike in 2016/2017?
Think even fully loaded touring bikes are lighter now than that Norco.
Oh and I'm planning on using the new bike to do some longer weekend rides with friends. Perhaps even London to Paris in April