Best cross bike for $1500.00

slopoke

Looking to spend approx. $1500.00 for a cross
bike...any suggestions...I'm 6'2" 179 and currently
ride a 58 road bike.

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briscoelab

Redline Conquest Pro (better parts) or the Raleigh RX1 (Better frame/fork)

dirtyphotons

for racing or for general riding? i really like the cross check, but it's more of an all rounder than a racer.

madeski

i just bought a Masi CXR for $1449. i don't have much to compare it to (new rider and all), but there isn't a day that goes by that i can't wait to get home and ride it.

M_S

Jake the Snake has always struck me as a pretty good deal. Full 105 for 1300 dollars (2008 price). Anyways, it's the bike I'm saving up for.

Conquest Pro seems to be a good deal too. The Axis seems way opverpriced to me, for what it's worth.

atomship47

Jake the Snake has always struck me as a pretty good deal. Full 105 for 1300 dollars (2008 price). Anyways, it's the bike I'm saving up for.

Conquest Pro seems to be a good deal too. The Axis seems way opverpriced to me, for what it's worth.

double meaning. hehehe.

Milice

Trex XO1' are about 1200.

flargle

Speedgoat has a built-up Voodoo Wazoo for $1200. It's got some Tiagra bits in there, but it's a cool frameset.

slopoke

Yea ...I was looking at the Redline Conquest Pro...I can
get a good deal on a Fuji Cross Pro...anybody have any
experience with the Fuji?

edzo

Trex XO1' are about 1200.

trek x01 is garbage because the rear dropout is too weak to handle the
replaceable der hanger. the dropout is poorly engineered. it will break
and crack before the der hanger will bend.

jus sayin...happened to me on a subtle 1/4 turn der suck...hanger looks mint,
dropout was cracked at the der hanger bolt hole itself.

**sure this will never happen in a million years. I really was just riding along and
hit a bump and flazam. yes i did have the limit screws and b set correctly, it
just bounced funny

redtires

Jensonusa.com has a whole bunch of cross bikes on sale right now on their front page. Free ground shipping to boot! :D

The link: http://www.jensonusa.com/

M_S

Those Axis' are crazy cheap... though it looks like it's because they only have them in really large sizes :rolleyes:

exfreewheeler

I don't have a geared CX but I love them. I really like the Jamis.

<<< that's a custom lugged fixed CX but I would like a gearie, too.

I would rather get a Surly Cross Check. I just saw a brand new one up close and it was beautiful. Almost like a light battleship gray color, sweet.

Use the rest of your money on your wife, if you are married or the house or suh'm.

grahny

I would rather get a Surly Cross Check. I just saw a brand new one up close and it was beautiful. Almost like a light battleship gray color, sweet.

Like this? It's $390 USD at JensonUSA. It is pretty sweet....

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4529/imgwrapperaspxtx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

sfcrossrider

What do you want to do with it? My crosscheck is a great do all bike BUT it isn't a good race bike. For racing I would look at a redline, or a Kona.

My neighbors son has an Axis. Not a bad frame with meh parts. Good deal for 900 if it fits.

Milice

trek x01 is garbage because the rear dropout is too weak to handle the
replaceable der hanger. the dropout is poorly engineered. it will break
and crack before the der hanger will bend.

jus sayin...happened to me on a subtle 1/4 turn der suck...hanger looks mint,
dropout was cracked at the der hanger bolt hole itself.

**sure this will never happen in a million years. I really was just riding along and
hit a bump and flazam. yes i did have the limit screws and b set correctly, it
just bounced funny

I guess if we follow this line of thinking, Redlines would be garbage because I ride with 2 people who have cracked Redline frames. Both have been seat tubes near the bottom bracket. And then Lemonds would be garbage becasue I have a friend who has had issues with the bottom bracket on two different frames.

I have had no problems what so ever with my trek and the 2 other people that I know that ride them have also had no problems. Manufacturing problems exist in all lines of bicycles, you never know who as asleep at the switch.

grahny

I guess if we follow this line of thinking, Redlines would be garbage because I ride with 2 people who have cracked Redline frames. Both have been seat tubes near the bottom bracket. And then Lemonds would be garbage becasue I have a friend who has had issues with the bottom bracket on two different frames.

I have had no problems what so ever with my trek and the 2 other people that I know that ride them have also had no problems. Manufacturing problems exist in all lines of bicycles, you never know who as asleep at the switch.

+1... add me to the list of happy trek x-01 owners. Mine's taken a beating under a body that was 220lbs and worked it's way down to 185lbs.

bikeage

Raleigh Rx 1

rickyaustin

Maybe this - If I hadn't bought my CrossCheck to be a future commuter, I would have bought this bike.

http://www.feltracing.com/products/product.asp?pid=28&catid=18,22

FELT F1X
SIZES (cm)
49 / 51 / 53 / 55 / 57 / 59

COLOR
Semi-Matte Black

WEIGHT
20.7 lbs.

FRAME
Felt 7005 Superlite custom-butted aluminum frame. Externally relieved integrated head tube, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger

FORK
Carbon fiber fork with cantilever brake pivots

DRIVETRAIN
Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur, 105 20-speed Shifters and Front Derailleur, FSA Gossamer Mega EXO 2-PC Crankset with External BB and 46/36T CNC 7075/T6 Aluminum Chainrings

WHEELSET
Mavic CXP-22 Double-Wall Rims and DT Doubled Butted Champion Spokes, Felt Precision Sealed-Bearing Hubs, Kenda Cyclocross tires

COMPONENTS
Felt 1.3 6061 Butted Alloy Bar, Felt 1.1 3D-Forged Stem, Felt 1.1 Saddle with Carbon Injected Base, Felt 6061 Aluminum Seatpost, Tektro Oryx brakes with Tektro RX bar-top levers

MSRP
$1,449

SLB Canuck

I love my Lemond Poprad.

larva90

I recently bought a Blue Competition Cycle. I got it with the build kit from Blue, which included Shimano 105 and American Classic Hurricane wheels. I am very happy with the performance of the bike. I feel like I got a competition quality cx bike for a very reasonable price. I weighed it with pedals and it was less than 20 pounds.

edzo

I guess if we follow this line of thinking, Redlines would be garbage because I ride with 2 people who have cracked Redline frames. Both have been seat tubes near the bottom bracket. And then Lemonds would be garbage becasue I have a friend who has had issues with the bottom bracket on two different frames.

I have had no problems what so ever with my trek and the 2 other people that I know that ride them have also had no problems. Manufacturing problems exist in all lines of bicycles, you never know who as asleep at the switch.

ahh well you are right, I am just miffed.

I got a new cx bike on the way...I'll feel better then, until I trash it somehow

synergy

I second the Felt F1X... got to see the 2008 model in person today at the Tour of Missouri in Branson. It's HOT!! I'm buying one tomorrow :)

slopoke

looking at the Kona... Jake the Snake and the Major Jake
not sure if its worth the $600.00 upgrade to the Major.

M_S

I dunno... The Major doesn't seem like it's that upgraded from the Snake. I mean, the drivetrain is still mostly 105 right? I can't comment on the wheels, but even the frame sems pretty similar now that they got rid of the carbon stays on the Major.

EDIT: Anyone ridden the Novara Rivet? 1600 bucks.

xthugmurderx

...

Chiboy

I just joined this list about ten minutes ago, and saw this thread. I too am looking in this same category. I just sold my old mountain bike and would like a bike that would be good on the road, but also handle light trails. Cyclocross seems to be the ticket. Today I test-rode a Specialized Tricross ($1300 model) and liked it. Then I rode the owner's own Specialized Tricross ($2700 model), which he offered to sell me for $1800. It's more than I want to spend (I'd like to get a lightly used bike), but man did it ride and shift nice. I guess the Shimano Dura Ace package is really sweet. Anyway, based on my very limited knowledge, I'd say check out the Specialized Tricross line.

knobster

+1 on that. I have the Comp model. Love it. Maybe not the best CX only bike, but if you upgraded to the Pro model, that's a solid CX bike. Mine I use for just about everything from commuting, rec riding and soon to be CX. Lifetime warranty on the frame. Knew a guy that took his in after someone crashed into him and cracked his down tube. Specialized replaced it no questions asked.

synergy

I just bought a 2008 Felt F1X and I have to say that I love this bike. Excellent deal at $1460 from local LBS. The Ultegra and 105 derailers are smooth as butter. Swap the stock 35c Kendras with 37c street tires and this bike transforms into a commuting and fitness riding road warrior. The headtube is nicely squared at the back end and feels nice on the shoulder when carrying the bike. The F1X weighs in at 20.5 lbs stock. Nice flat black paint job. I expect this bike to have excellent CX race performance.

Recently met Mr. Felt himself at the Tour of Missouri traveling expo in Branson, Missouri. I was impressed that he was traveling with the caravan showing off the 2008 line of bikes in person.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6333/182.jpghttp://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9803/180.jpg

More Pics > (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=346196)

gobes

I think that a couple of good choices are the Kona Jake the Snake, Trek XO1, and the Raleigh.

edzo

get 2 motobecane fantom cross bikes, use one as a spare in the pits

all you gotta do is buy 2 pairs of pedals, and set up the bike.

hey, what the hell you'll get a decent bike, and a full spare setup identical, and
there ya go you are covered 100% for cx racing

I just raced my mcane fantom cross yesterday and beat the tar out of it and it's
fine. so what it is cheap, it rides like a bike and is plenty sturdy. if you are a contender
then you may want to go light. the 'cane is not the lightest...but lo and behold you can
motor on them just fine

vpower

I dunno... The Major doesn't seem like it's that upgraded from the Snake. I mean, the drivetrain is still mostly 105 right? I can't comment on the wheels, but even the frame sems pretty similar now that they got rid of the carbon stays on the Major.

major jake has scandium tubing.
is this for racing or for riding?

I own a crosscheck and a jamis nova pro. I have ridden the felt f1-x pretty extensively.

crosscheck - does everything. but it's a jack of all trades master of one. It's still my favorite.
jamis nova pro - brand new. tiagra components, great frame. carbon stays 1100 retail.
felt f1-x - it's a racer. the others will make better all arounders.

TheSergeant

Love the Surly and love Midges. I'm currently running risers for the moment however.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/498961075_00d6aee8b8.jpg

NealH

Nice looking bike Sergeant. Very nice.

TrevorInSoCal

Pretty happy, thus far, with my Trek XO1.

Might not be the best judge of a cross bike though, this being my first one, and having less than ten hours on it.

I am having a blast on it though. I picked it up Saturday afternoon and rode it around town for a couple hours before racing on it on Sunday. Haven't yet been back on it since Sunday.

I usually ride a fixed-gear around town, but after cruising around on the cross bike, and hitting every dirt-path and park I could find, I think I might find myself switching off between the two. It's a little bit harder to hop a curb at speed and tear across a dirt lot or grass field on a fixed gear. ;)

deanathin

Our team rides felt F1X's and there really nice they come with full 105 with an ultegra rear dérailleur and a carbon fiber fork. The price on the website is just about $1500 but i got mine for $700 through our sponsorship through Felt. It seems like every 1 out of 4 people in colorado who race cross use a felt F1X i would highly reccomend them

bmonnig

Pretty happy, thus far, with my Trek XO1.

Might not be the best judge of a cross bike though, this being my first one, and having less than ten hours on it.

I am having a blast on it though. I picked it up Saturday afternoon and rode it around town for a couple hours before racing on it on Sunday. Haven't yet been back on it since Sunday.

I usually ride a fixed-gear around town, but after cruising around on the cross bike, and hitting every dirt-path and park I could find, I think I might find myself switching off between the two. It's a little bit harder to hop a curb at speed and tear across a dirt lot or grass field on a fixed gear. ;)

Hey Trevor. Brandon, from LAB. I'm in this forum following up on our LAB discussion. Even went to the LBS the other day (with a friend) to check out the X01. :)

yyoussef

I am surprised no mention of Cannondale Cyclocross. I have the disc version 06. I commute on it every day, 14 miles each way.
I noticed there is a disc version in 08 also.

M_S

The disc version for 08 is definately going to be well under 1500 unless Canondale is nuts. The brakes are BB5s and it has full sora.

Thee's a guy out here who races in Masters who hasa cannondale cx with a headshok, though I don't think they make those anymore.

Personally I really like how the Poprad is decked out, but I've heard mixed feelings about bontrager stuff. Plus Lemonds are pretty.

Junkdad

My new 08 Poprad should arrive any day. I got the canti version, since I'm a little wary of discs (probably a mistake) and really liked the white over the red.

It is going to be a commuter bike, so I'll probably regret the lack of rack options, but I'll get one on without much trouble.

I'll probably get a spare wheelset for the local MTB trails. I'm also a bit wary of the Bontrager wheels, cranks, headset, etc. If I was starting over, I'd probably order the Jamis Aurora Elite.

We'll see, I bet it'll be a nice ride.

amorrow

For the money, I like my raleigh rx1. Not the best gruppo, but the frame and fork are top notch. I've raced it to little success, but that has nothing to do with the bike and all to do with the engine falling over in corners.

scattered73

get 2 motobecane fantom cross bikes, use one as a spare in the pits

Got an 06 fantom cross, have really beat the hell out of it. Only complaint was the alex wheels, but they are specd with something else now.

Shinoix

I bought a 2007 Jake the Snake in the summer and love it. I paid $1100.00 Canadian for it.

Great deal, great bike, highly recommended.