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Complete newbie in need of tips/advice Cyclocross vs Road

  • This topic has 32 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by TypeVertigo.
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  • May 12, 2017 at 4:49 pm #27109
    Bingo-Pajama

    Hi all

    I’m a complete newbie having only rode mountain bikes on trail for years.  I haven’t rode in a long time as a year and a half ago I had a pretty decent knee injury and I’m only now at the tail end of the physio.  However just as I begin prepping to get back on two wheels some **expletives redacted** broke into my garage and stole my beloved Stumpy.   As a result I thought now was as good a time as ever to get out on the road (as this meets my commuting / physio needs better), I’m also 40 and not in need of any new mtb injuries!

    I think i’d still like to do some trail even if it’s fairly calm stuff but I also really want to be able to get out with a friend who is an out and out road bike man. Will I (current fitness/knee aside) struggle to keep a decent pace on a cyclocross.  I’m also worried that I’ll get the bug for road and wish I hadn’t gone full cyclo.  However, I have got to come to terms with a) drop bars, b) the insanity of cleats, and c) sphincter imploding bald/narrow tyres – hence my lean towards cross!

    Final factor is that as it’s an insurance replacement I’m limited to a specific company albeit with a decent enough selection for my needs and budget.  Test riding my shortlists will be time consuming and tricky as it will be ordered online so I’ve got to somehow track these down without being identified as a timewaster (which technically i will be!)

    Top end is £1300 but I don’t know how much to take off for the necessary gear. I know there’s no one size fits all answer but if any of these are absolute no-no’s it’ll help me with getting out and finding them to test.

    Options based on top end are:

    Road – Cube SL Road Sl 2017 –  really like the look and spec but cannot find any info on this one. it’s also flat bar which appeals. Orbea Avant M40 – again no real reviews (flat bar). Giant TCR Advanced 3 – this has already been recommended and gives me £100 change to contribute towards pedals . Merida Ride 500.

    Cyclocross – Cannndale CAADX 105 – I really like this for all reasons, good spec, gives me change and is a nice cross.  Cube Cross Race Pro. Giant TCX SLR 2.

    Or is there a recommended bike for around £1000 leavingme with enough money to buy the rest of the gear?

    Any help is greatly appreciated as I’m going around in circles and this is before I even sit on one of these devil’s machines 🙂

    Cheers

    Ryan

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  • May 15, 2017 at 9:17 am #893041
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    davel

    Not a lot more to add other

    Not a lot more to add other than go for a CXer/gravelly thing, as a ‘one bike to rule them all’. My cxer (merida cyclocross) is a commuter, the odd CX racer, and a winter roadie. On the stock rims (which aren’t great) I can go from 25 slicks to 35 armadillos without even switching wheels (it’s my only disc brake bike and I haven’t bothered getting a second wheelset).

    The CAADX 105 is a cracking all-rounder for the money. A mate has one and uses it for everything. However…

    My one caveat with these bikes at your budget: I haven’t had a great experience with mechanical discs. Given how much tinkering they can need and how they can need tweaking (and fail) mid-ride, I think they’re an instance of the industry flogging downright dangerous turkeys. If I was buying another one it’d definitely have hydraulics.

    May 15, 2017 at 9:09 am #893039
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    Johnnyvee

    Can only agree with this from
    Can only agree with this from LastboyScout.
    I had a CX and it got nicked. Replaced with a carbon adventure bike (Jamis Renegade) and it’s been fab both on and off road. So much so that rather than n+1 I will just get another set of wheels for it.
    Test ride certainly put it above a couple of pure road bikes I was considering at the time. Mind you I am over 50 and not as supple as I used to be…

    May 15, 2017 at 8:39 am #893037
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    LastBoyScout

    If/when my commuting bike

    If/when my commuting bike needs replacing, I will almost certainly replace it with a CX/gravel bike, with 2 wheelsets.

    May 14, 2017 at 6:06 pm #893035
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    Scheißenberg

    I was I the same boat as you
    I was in the same boat as you when I came over from MTB.
    Got a CX but soon regretted it so stuck some slicks on and changed the chainset.
    Still wasn’t happy so pissed the wife off by getting a proper road bike.
    Before I knew it I was fully lycrad and clipped in.
    Don’t know what you can take away from this story?
    Get a CX and a roadie!

    May 14, 2017 at 6:26 am #893033
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    Boombang

    Have a carbon road bike and
    Have a carbon road bike and an ally CX from same manufacturer. Same ‘size’ but CX is shorter and slightly taller. Their carbon CX model is inbetween the two.
    My CX bike is my favourite as with a change of wheels it can do almost anything I need. Have done a load of road riding over winter (discs, mudguards etc) and more recently bridleways and woods.

    If had it all again I would actually get the carbon CX and be done with one bike.

    May 13, 2017 at 3:47 pm #893031
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    ClubSmed

    I have a road bike, CX bike
    I have a road bike, CX bike and a hybrid bike. By far my favourite is the CX bike but that maybe a slightly unfair comparison as is also the most expensive at more than double the cost of either of the others. However is not the groupset (which is the main reason for the extra cost) that make it the best for me, rather the comfort of the geometry and bigger tyres. I can run 35mm Vittoria Hyper tyres (which have an incredibly low rolling resistance and just soak up the potholes and bumps) and still fit mud guards to stop me getting covered in road crap. It’s also enabled me to experience and fall in love with bike packing.
    As far as drop bars are concerned, I was surprised how quickly I adapted (first bike was the flat bar hybrid) and how much I love them. I hope it’s the same for you too.

    May 13, 2017 at 2:44 pm #893029
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    Morat

    As long as you find a bike

    As long as you find a bike that fits, in either style, my personal choice is CX because you can run wider tyres, mudguards and go offroad if you want to. I doubt many people will find a measurable difference in speed in a road bike vs a CX bike as long as you have fitted suitable tyres.

    True, CX bikes are generally a little sturdier which can mean heavier and stiffer but nowadays you can have road tyres which are both fast and comfy in 30mm plus sizes for which many road/race bikes won’t have clearance. They’ll give you much improved comfort with no speed penalty.

    If you’re genuinely a racer and have lost that last 500 grams of body fat then sure, go for a full on race bike but otherwise I’d suggest that a more versatile bike will give you more fun.

    I would say though, check the gear ratios and make sure they’re suitable for your area and intentions. Most of the more CX race oriented bikes have a 46/36 chainset which I found to be too close so I changed for a 50/34 compact. This can add a fair cost to your initial purchase if you can’t get the shop to swap them before you buy.

    May 13, 2017 at 11:12 am #893027
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    dottigirl

    Whether your cx or road bike

    Whether your cx or road bike is more comfortable is about the geometry of the frame, not necessarily the individual setup.

    If you buy a race-geometry cx frame, it could be a more aggressive position than a road bike, not less. Though most cx are ‘usually’ more upright i.e. less aggressive. And road bikes come in many different flavours, from race  to audax.

    Setup such as tyres, wheels, seat post, bars, stem etc can all be changed and can alleviate or exacerbate discomfort.

    So, checking out the stack and reach figures for similar sizes…

     

    – Cube Cross Race Pro – 56cm – R 38.1cm S 55.5cm

    – Giant TCX – M/52.5 –  R 37.5 cm  S 55.6 cm

    – Cannondale CAADX – 54cm – R 37.9cm S 55.4cm

    The Cube is marginally more aggressive, but there’s not much in it. 

    – Giant TCR Advanced 3 – M – R 38.3 cm   S 54.5 cm

    So the TCR is more aggressive than the equivalent TCX. No surprise there. 

    However…

    – Merida Ride 500 – 54cm – R 36.7cm  S 59.1cm

    That’s one hell of an upright ride – less aggressive than any of the others.

    (I’ve ignored the flat-bar bikes because, flat bar. Also interesting to note how varied the sizing is between brands – Giant M/52.5 is the nearest equivalent of a 56cm Cube!)

    Other aspects of geometry will also affect the ride e.g. head tube and seat tube angles. And, as mentioned, the setup.

     

    Back to the original question:

    Bingo-P – do your physical limitations affect your flexibility? If so, you may be better off with the Merida. If you want to race your friend, go for the TCR.  The CX would be a happy medium, and you can always get another pair of tyres/wheels for your on or off road adventures.

    May 13, 2017 at 8:58 am #893025
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    HalfWheeler
    ConcordeCX wrote:
    the comfort point is not necessarily correct. 

    In the name of the wee man…

    OK. 

    “I can do plenty of miles on my CX bike, just as many as a road bike, and in much more comfort (but not at the same speed)”

    May 13, 2017 at 7:27 am #893023
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    CXR94Di2

    3 bikes for me, all can take

    3 bikes for me, all can take 40mm tyres and have disc brakes, tell you something about the preference for CX/adventure/trail?

    May 13, 2017 at 6:18 am #893021
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    Johnnyvee

    Go CX or adventure as they’re
    Go CX or adventure as they’re pretty much the same. Like others I went for one as they seem more robust and cover most bases. I keep thinking of getting a dedicated Road bike but that thought disappears every time I head down a trail.
    Get some test rides done..

    May 12, 2017 at 8:40 pm #893019
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    zzk

    I have a fair few bikes, the

    I have a fair few bikes, the wife would say too many, but that includes some high end carbon race bikes and a carbon race Cx bike with Force cx 1, hydraulic brakes etc. BUT, my pound for pound best bike and vfm has to be my old CAADx 105, which has been raced incl. 3 peaks, commuted on, done the odd chain gang, and proved pretty much bomb proof. OK, I’ve had to replace some “consumables” including wheels, but it’s done over 15,000miles and had a hard life. With full guards it’s a winter bike, changing to big slicks makes it perfect for commuting, but on narrower rubber it’s not too shabby in a bunch of higher spec machines on the road. The Cx chainset will save your knees, but you will be spinning out at 30mph on 46x12t. You can always swap the chainset and cassette if you need more legs.  Only issues are BB30 bottom bracket, prone to the odd squeak and the fact you can no longer buy the caliper brake version. If anyone has a old caadx 56cm. I’d be interested 🙂

    May 12, 2017 at 8:13 pm #893017
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    Anonymous
    HalfWheeler wrote:
    I’ve got three bikes; road bike, CX and MTB.

    I can honestly say that my favourite of them all is the CX bike. You can do plenty of miles on a CX bike, just as many as a road bike, and in much more comfort (but not at the same speed).  A £1000 will buy you plenty of bike (of any type). A few years ago I went for the Cube Cross Race. Love it to bits. Cube bikes are great value and look pretty as a picture (although they do cut costs in things like headsets and hubs; keep a good eye on them for maintenance).

    This^^

    I have recently purchased a GT Grade Alloy X (2016 model under a £1000 at Wiggle at the moment). I now have three bikes with my MTB & roadie. My go-to bike almost every time is the GT Grade. It rides beautifully on the road and I have no problems keeping up on club runs. It’s a bit slower on the hills but that all makes for good training. Off-road I have taken it everywhere I have ridden my MTB – it’s a different style of riding (not having any suspension) but the bottom line is it’s FUN! If I’m going to do 120 miles on the road at a good pace, I take the roadie. If I’m going to ride steep rocky (very) technical trails I take the MTB. For everything else the GT Grade is the bike of choice. Just having the choice of heading out for a road ride and knowing that any bridleway/trail etc is available at whim really makes for varied and exciting routes.

    May 12, 2017 at 7:18 pm #893015
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    Anonymous
    HalfWheeler wrote:
    I’ve got three bikes; road bike, CX and MTB.

    I can honestly say that my favourite of them all is the CX bike. You can do plenty of miles on a CX bike, just as many as a road bike, and in much more comfort (but not at the same speed).  A £1000 will buy you plenty of bike (of any type). A few years ago I went for the Cube Cross Race. Love it to bits. Cube bikes are great value and look pretty as a picture (although they do cut costs in things like headsets and hubs; keep a good eye on them for maintenance).

    the comfort point is not necessarily correct. I have a cx bike and an audax bike. The audax bike is designed for long, long days in the saddle and is very comfortable, and very fast and light. The cx bike is designed to be ridden for a one-hour hell-for-leather race and is very robust by comparison – rider comfort isn’t much of a consideration. I use it for day-long mixed-surface rides sometimes, and it can leave me feeling a bit beaten-up.

     

    May 12, 2017 at 6:41 pm #893013
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    vonhelmet

    I’ve just built myself a cx

    I’ve just built myself a cx bike which will be used both on and off-road. I’m going to get a second set of wheels and then swap them depending on what I’m doing with it.

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