Cyclocross bike shortlist for a newbie!

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #20141
    LKB

    Hi there, looking at buying a bike and settled on cyclocross, but would love some advice. Not bought a bike for 10 years.
    Use: local roads, short country tours, hammering around towpaths, mucky parks & the odd nonsense.

    Max budget £1k, would like discs & decent gear set but if anything decent for less, i’ll listen.

    Norco Threshold A1 2014 is the forerunner for a healthy set up and pricing.
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/threshold-a1-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec053832

    I’m a 1.65m male (sadly no growth spurts due soon) & limited to Evans due to ride2work scheme.
    Thanks for help!

Viewing 14 replies - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #761791
    0
    zzk

    CAADX, great do it all
    CAADX, great do it all machine. Bit late, but Evans often knock a decent chunk off last year’s stock. Got mine for a song 2yrs back, best bike I’ve owned for sheer enjoyment and I’ve had a LOT of bikes….

    #761789
    0
    Team Rux

    Cannodnale CAADX 6 Tiagra –
    Cannodnale CAADX 6 Tiagra – just bought the 2014 model and loving every minute – handles brilliantly off road and, with a set of slicks, more than a match for a road bike. Was tempted by the Boardman CXTeam though – great looking bike and good spec for the price too.

    #761787
    0
    Jez Ash

    Big dave reviewed the Arkose
    Big dave reviewed the Arkose and liked it a lot.

    http://road.cc/content/review/90686-pinnacle-arkose-three

    I’ve got a Boardman CX Team which is an excellent bike – one of the raciest positions of the CX bikes I’ve tried which I like a lot, but some might prefer something a bit more upright. It’s served brilliantly in commuting, touring, road and off-road applications, so I guess I’m endorsing your choice of a CX … with just a change of tyres you’ve got so much flexibility in one bike.

    Norco looks quite well specced for the money – can’t find a figure on weight – there’s quite a bit of variation in this price band, so if that’s important to you, try and find out.

    I’ve tried the Trek Crossrip and found it underwhelming. The Tricross has a lot of fans – not heard much wrong with it (although Sora for £900 isn’t that exciting).

    Bear in mind that not all CX bikes have rack/mudguard mounts. This was important for me, may not be for you.

    If weight isn’t important (say you live somewhere fairly flat) but weatherproof low-maintenance toughness is, the Genesis Day One Alfine 8 would be an interesting left-field choice.

    #761785
    0
    brandobiker

    I recomend the Ridley
    I recomend the Ridley Crossbow, I have one and find it is a great all round bike, thoughly recomended. B-)

    #761783
    0
    Joeinpoole

    sodit wrote:I have got to

    sodit wrote:
    I have got to mention Specialized Tricross Sport. But get the 2011 model they are still around for £700 ish. With a 30/32 low gear you will get up anything, sorry no disc brakes, Tiagra (9s speed) levers and front derailleur, triple crank set, deore lx rear derailleur they were £1000 new in 2011 and still new ones out there.
    Oh did I mention I have owned one for a year and think its great so I am biased. B-)

    I too have a Specialized Tricross Sport (2010) and I love it. It’s a truly fantastic machine, fits me like a glove, is almost unnaturally comfortable and I can go EVERYWHERE on it … forever.

    I’d buy another in a heartbeat although I would go for the disc brakes with the latest models.

    Btw, you can pick up decent 2010 models on EBay for £400-450 nowadays.

    There is actually a reason why Specialized have become the world’s biggest bike manufacturer over the last 30 years. It’s because of the bikes they make.

    #761781
    0
    glynr36

    CaadX 6, yes it’s tiagra but
    CaadX 6, yes it’s tiagra but better frame than the other offerings at that price.
    Frame counts for more than the bits bolted on to it.

    #761779
    0
    LKB

    Thanks all, some great
    Thanks all, some great insight there. Have only ridden the Norco , will visit Evans tomorrow for a few more to test out (Arkose, Cannondale or Tricross) and then select the winner. One last thing, is there any reason against the Norco? in terms of spec or other?

    #761777
    0
    sodit

    I have got to mention
    I have got to mention Specialized Tricross Sport. But get the 2011 model they are still around for £700 ish. With a 30/32 low gear you will get up anything, sorry no disc brakes, Tiagra (9s speed) levers and front derailleur, triple crank set, deore lx rear derailleur they were £1000 new in 2011 and still new ones out there.
    Oh did I mention I have owned one for a year and think its great so I am biased. B-)

    #761775
    0
    Argos74

    Arkose gets a warm thumbs up
    Arkose gets a warm thumbs up from me. Been using one for the last six months for commuting, sportives and off road riding, almost surgically attached to it these days. If or when I get properly fit, will be using it for it’s intended purpose at some point. Versatile, takes a battering, and comfortably too.

    #761773
    0
    Luminosity

    Cannondale CAADX, without a
    Cannondale CAADX, without a doubt. Better than the Specialized Tricross.

    #761771
    0
    Anonymous

    From Evans, folks.
    From Evans, folks. 😉

    #761769
    0
    VeloPeo

    Spend £400 more and get a
    Spend £400 more and get a Kinesis Crosslight Pro 6 built. Doens’t fulfil any of your price and seller specification but I’m obliged to recommend it 🙂

    #761767
    0
    tailwind10

    Boardman CX Team – hands down
    Boardman CX Team – hands down

    #761765
    0
    Anonymous

    I’d probably go for the
    I’d probably go for the Pinnacle Arkose Three over the Norco.
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec054866#features

    Simply because if you haven’t bought a bike for 10 years you’ll be un-cycle-fit and the 34/32 bottom gear on the Pinnacle will get you up any hill. Bottom gear on the Norco is 36/28 which is… biggerer.

Viewing 14 replies - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.