[larue]

A little poll for myself. I plan on purchasing a pair of cyclocross bikes for my wife and myself for general riding, commuting etc. There is no cyclocross scene in this area so racing isn't going to happen.

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[KeatonR]

Lemond Poprad!

[invisiblehand]

If you aren't going to race and just want an all-purpose bike that can handle light off-road work, I would go with the Jamis Aurora. It has a lot of value for the buck.

[Lectron]

ORBEA TERRA (http://www.hollymillcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s196p1266&tbv=ORBEA_Terra_-_Cyclo_Cross_Frame_BIKES_Road_Racing_frames)

Kinesis Crosslight(s) (http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/acatalog/Kinesis_Frames.html)

Kona Major Jake (http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/CELLFRMCRS/KON-MJAKE05)

[Arsbars]

Steel is real.

[larue]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. As far as the Lemond and Jamis go, I'm not a fan of steel but they both look like nice bikes. With the Orbea, Kinesis and Kona there are no dealers in my area that carry them.

[Arsbars]

larue, why don't you like steel??

[KeatonR]

Steel is real.

In that vein, the Lemond has a sticker on the seat tube that says "The feel of steel"

[ehammarlund]

Why redline conquest pro and not disc-r if you're commuting? Same price but carbon fork and disc brakes...

[larue]

Why redline conquest pro and not disc-r if you're commuting? Same price but carbon fork and disc brakes...
I already have a road bike and am looking for something that is a little more off-road worthy.

[ehammarlund]

I agree, incidentally, though i'm not sure everyone else would. In fact, I'm building a 'conquest pro road bike' myself right now for commuting. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Arsbars]

Ok, if no steal...

The orbea would be my choice. The second would be the salsa.
The orbea road like a dream, the salsa dented too easily for me.

I dont remember if either had rack braze ons

[larue]

Ok, if no steal...

The orbea would be my choice. The second would be the salsa.
The orbea road like a dream, the salsa dented too easily for me.

I dont remember if either had rack braze ons
I wish I had an Orbea dealer around here but no one carries them. Have you tried the Felt or Bianchi Arsbars?

[Surferbruce]

i cose an axis and am very happy with it, but my offroad use is mostly fireroad rides maybe once a month or so and a handful of cross races during the season. most of the time it's my training bike on the road.
for steel i'd like a Soulcraft crossy.

[-=Łem in Pa=-]

Surly Cross X for its simplicity and unmatched versatitlity if you are into
tinkering and LeMond Poprad for just all around coolness.
Im partial to steel.

[markhr]

any cyclocross bike with disc brakes

[Lectron]

No. But there's quite a few commuters :D

[Arsbars]

I wish I had an Orbea dealer around here but no one carries them. Have you tried the Felt or Bianchi Arsbars?


I haven't truely tested a Felt. A friend has one for racing but he's made it into a true cross machine and it's too light for a true commuter IMO.

The Bianchi Axis seems to be great bike and this year with having a Shimano and Campy version it doesn't get any better!! I know the Avid Shorty 6's on there have a mind to squel if not sanded down.

-Arleigh

[larue]

Thanks for everyones input. This purchase won't happen right away so I have time to weigh everything and of course ride the bikes for myself heh.

[Toddorado]

I already have a road bike and am looking for something that is a little more off-road worthy.

Giant Rainier, cowhorn and aero bars, rigid forks and road-worthy knobbies. A little heavy, but if you're not carrying these bikes across rivers and through fallen trees in an old forest, that should not matter. Nothing against Cyclo bikes, it just depends on how hard you're going to be on it. Disc brakes seal the deal for me. I also do not have a wide variety of Cyclo bikes in my area, and none with discs (I hear they're not 'cyclo-legal?').

[bmcclory]

Seven Tsunami

[schiavonec]

I have a 1999/2000 axis, but opted for other in the poll. Given your intended use, it may not make sense to go for a cross rig. Get a fast tourer than can handle 28-32 tires. Mine is a 52 or 53 (cannot remember right now) and i do get some heal strike when using panniers. I actually adjust them so they don't hit, but the stays aren't terribly long. Mine came with a race face double up front which coupled with a 9 spd xt cassette is pretty nice gearing for a variety of terrain. I don't race so that isn't an issue for me, but I would run a single up front as the shifting is odd with the double if I did race.

I do commute on it sometimes and use it for errands often and it is generally fine, but just doesn't have that 'soft' feel about it. If I could do it again, I would opt for the following based on material, price, looks, and a bit of feedback, etc. http://www.lyonsport.com/web/cross_bike.html

[amahana1]

steelman eurocross. ahh we can dream cant we!

[Todd Atkin]

Everybody has to have a Cannondale dealer near them. They make a very good cross bike, and one model with disc brakes. http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/cats/CX.html

[G-Unit]

My Lemond Poprad (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=115294)

I used to be apprehensive about a steel frame too, but I got over it and have had 3 steel frame bikes. The Poprad is a very good bike.

[FatA**]

Everybody has to have a Cannondale dealer near them. They make a very good cross bike, and one model with disc brakes. http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/cats/CX.html


I own one (disc), I like it! my wife has the Redline Conquest Disc as well. Similar bikes, but the cannondale has a much stiffer feel. overall, the tubes are beefier in diameter. as a "big guy" i like those aspects. for my much lighter wife, the Conquest is great.

[jpearl]

I just got a Cannondale cross. Besides a decent price, what I liked most about it was the frame. Nobody does aluminum better than Cannondale, and matched with a carbon fork, this light and responive bike zips down the road and floats over trails and rough spots. The component selection is good. The bike recieves true 'cross gearing and not a quasi "cross/touring/MTB" setup. Generally, for a 'cross bike, I'd stay away from steel only because it has a tendancy to rust, where as this is not a concern for aluminum or carbon.