What are some decent budget Cyclocross Bikes?

[bigman7903]

Alright, this is my first foray into this style of bike, it wont be for competition, but this is the way i tend to use my bikes, so it would be a perfect fit for my riding style. Unfortunatly, being a college student, i don't have unlimited funding, i'm looking around 600 bucks. I was looking into the Ibex X-ray Sport, but since i cannot hop on it and take it for a ride before buying it i'm looking in other directions. if you wouldnt mind giving me some suggestions for brand/models that i can scope out to ride in a store. Thanks guys

btw, i'm 5'11, 31" inseam, 245 pounds (and dropping), with a size 12 shoe

[251]

Surly Cross Check, or maybe a used bike? I bought my Gunnar Crosshairs (complete) for under a grand. I bought it in Feb. '06: '01 frame, new components from an '06 Tri-Cross that was stripped for the frame. Although, I've since replaced almost every component...

[adrien]

You might be able to find a Kona Jake within your budget (list is $799, but maybe a left over 2006...)

[dewaday]

Hey bigman, still looking eh? Good move not to buy your first new bike without a test ride first. Could be an expensive mistake. If your looking to stay away from drop bars, then cyclocross isn't what you want. If you've changed your mind about the bars, maybe a Bianchi Volpe at end of year prices, or the lower end Specialized TriCross on sale. The aforementioned Jake is a good choice also. Give Century, Eddys and Spin a call and see what they're trying to get off the floor. Just don't trade proper size to get a pricing deal, you'll regret it later.

If your looking at riser or flat bars, you've got lots of choices in your price range. Something like: http://bianchiusa.com/07_boardwalk.html. Or: http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/DEWDELUXE/index.html.
Most manufacturers have something similar. At that price point it pretty much comes down to fit and feel.
I'm 5'11" with a 32 inseam and fit pretty well on most 56cm bikes. I've got a 56 Dew Deluxe if your interested in a test ride, drop a pm and I'm sure we can work something out. I live Southwest, and work downtown.

[bigman7903]

Yeah, i want the ibex badly, but it would prolly be a poor monetary decision to go with something i've never ridden. So back to the drawing board. The handle bars i'm just not going to worry about, i figure i'll get used to it, and if they bother me enough i'll just switch out at a later date.

As for test riding, it would have to wait, although i appreciate the offer, i'm currently recovering from a broken ankle, and will have to undergo knee surgery in march, so it's gonna be a while :(

Definitely going to check out eddy's, spin, and century a healthy look this summer. Thanks for the help guys

[3dw]

I picked up '05 Kona Jake, in '06 for $600 even, with helmet, tune ups, and a crappy computer.
I had never really ridden on drop bars before and now I do 60%-70% total. I did take some getting used too, but as my belly shrank it became much more doable.

[dewaday]

Yeah, i want the ibex badly, but it would prolly be a poor monetary decision to go with something i've never ridden. So back to the drawing board. The handle bars i'm just not going to worry about, i figure i'll get used to it, and if they bother me enough i'll just switch out at a later date.

As for test riding, it would have to wait, although i appreciate the offer, i'm currently recovering from a broken ankle, and will have to undergo knee surgery in march, so it's gonna be a while :(

Definitely going to check out eddy's, spin, and century a healthy look this summer. Thanks for the help guys
Broken ankle, knee surgery...might I suggest a quality helmet to go with your bicycle :eek: ?
Had another thought worth considering. Solon bike had a Jamis Aurora leftover from last year. Touring bike with a little more upright position. Might be a good fit for you.
http://solonbicycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=533

[late]

Surly Cross Check, or maybe a used bike? I bought my Gunnar Crosshairs (complete) for under a grand. I bought it in Feb. '06: '01 frame, new components from an '06 Tri-Cross that was stripped for the frame. Although, I've since replaced almost every component...

The price of steel has gone through the roof. The price of a Gunnar frame is now
basically a grand.

[bigman7903]

yeah, wrestling was not very good to me this year :(

[nowheels]

Try a Kona Jake......it is not a JTS, but is is a nice frame and the basic components are not bad. I have recently built up one and I am highly impressed. Of couse it does not compare to my Van Dessel, but that is a different beast as it has more carbon.

[alreadyblue]

I'd go with the Kona Jake. I'm not really all that impressed with Ibex.
The main reason is that if you ever decide to sell the bike, you'll get much more of your money out of a Kona than you will an Ibex.

Besides, the Kona Jake is made from 7005 tubing. Ibex is made from 6061 tubing.

You should be able to snag a 2006 Jake for around $600

[Psydotek]

Scour EBay. It took me about a month of regular searching before i finally stumbled across a used Giant TCX for $575. It needed afew things (pedals, seat, brakes), but is still a good price compared to the MSRP of $1100.

[M_S]

With your weight and price range, probably stick to steel. The Volpe and Cross Check would be good choices.

The Jake is aluminum, but it could work. Ride one at a bike shop, then look for a used one : )

[4130gibson@sbcg]

Hey, guys. I'm looking too, and stumbled across the Redline Sport, looks like a decent frame w/ Sora and entry level parts retails for $600... wonder if anybody can provide some feedback? My take is buy a good frame, ride now and upgrade as you go.

[KOBE]

I looked into the Ibex X-ray Sport also and they are sold out of almost all sizes. The e-mail I got from them said that the Sport is now discontinued. I thouht they were a pretty good dead for $500 , but I am looking for my first cyclo-cross bike too , so what do I know. Sizing for me is easy, just get the largest one they have.

My plan B is also to look at the Kona Jake . I just need to find one in a 62cm in my area to test ride.

[rideon7]

I bought a new Bianchi Volpe last weekend, replacing my old Specialized Sirrus that I've been using for commuting for four years. The Volpe is such a sweet ride. I specifically set out to find a good steel frame bike and I couldn't ask for a better bike for my needs than the Volpe. No more bone-jarring, teeth-rattling aluminum! The Volpe was about a yard-and-a-half under $1000, so it gives tremendous bang for the buck! I had also looked at the Jamis Aurora, which is much more a touring bike (see the Touring forum). I was won over by the responsiveness and handling of the Volpe and, like I said, value.

The Volpe's officially classified by Bianchi as a cyclocross bike, and it is that, but it's also a fine commuter/recreational bike and can crossover fairly easily as a tourer as well.

Even my teenage son gave it his stamp of approval when he looked at it and said the color was "Sick!" (which in teen-speak means it is very cool indeed).

See y'all on the road!