Cyclocross - Redline Conquest? Should I get it?

I'm looking at a 2008 Redline Conquest (http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/conquest.html) cyclocross bike. It's new, assembled. Seller is asking $800.

Specs (http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/conquest.html):
Shimano 105 & Tiagra (shifters) 9-speed drivetrain
Aluminum frame and fork
Disc tabs (I like the option of discs later on)
Ritchey Comp wheels
Ritchey stem, seat post, bars, etc.
FSA Gossamer crankset 36/46

Prior to considering the Conquest, I was mulling over one of the Bikes Direct cyclocross bikes. In particular I was looking at the Windsor Cyclo (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/cyclo.htm) (105 & Ultegra 10-speed drivetrain) and the Motobecane Fantom Cross (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cross.htm) (nicer wheels than the Windsor, but with 9-speed 105 and Tiagra drivetrian.) Both BD bikes have carbon forks and each are $800.

I was pretty sure I wanted the Windsor, it seems like such a good deal, but now I'm leaning toward the Redline. I'd prefer the 10-speed group, but I like that the Conquest has disc tabs, and nicer wheels. I have looked at the Motobecane Fantom Outlaw - the 9-speed spec'd bike with Avid BB-5 discs, but it's $100 more, and I'm not sure I'd be 100% happy with it.

So, I guess I'm wondering if you $800 to spend, and had to choose between the Conquest, the Windsor, or the Motobecane, which would you go for, and why?

I've actually been ridding on a Fantom CX frame that I bought second hand, it's a fine frame, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something that the Redline would offer. Also I've bought from Bikes Direct twice before and I'm happy dealing with them.

$800 is the absolute ceiling for buying a new cyclocross bike and any bike I buy will be used mostly for bad weather commuting.

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/2009-redline/425/Redline_Conquest.jpg
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/9fcross_600.jpg
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/images/cycblk_600.jpg

why do you want to replace your current motobecane to begin with? i'd wager any motobecane/windsor is the exact same frame, with different decals and parts. if you went with a new BD bike, you'd essentially just be buying new parts. why not just do a few upgrades to your current bike? it seems the angles and bb height is pretty similar between the redline and the BD bikes, so i'm sure the handling is similar. i can't imagine you're missing much... other than disc tabs and an aluminum fork. you could replace the steel fork on your cx with an aluminum one and call it a day.

when getting a new bike, i think the most important factor is fit. i'd first decide which one has the best geometry for you first. if it were me, i wouldn't buy any of them based on my personal fit preferences and requirements. however, of the three, i'd choose the redline based on using it mainly as a commuter.

secondly, if this is mainly going to be a foul weather commuter, will you want racks and fenders? i would imagine fenders are a must in chicago. it appears the bikesdirect frames all can accomodate a rear rack and fenders. i'm not sure about the redline.

as far as parts, the BD bikes all are spec'ed with nicer stuff, especially comparing cranksets, but is any of that really neccessary for foul weather commuting? if you're going to be riding in slop, a 10 speed drivetrain could be more finicky. do you really need a carbon fork to commute? i prefer that the redline uses a traditional threadless headset, rather than a dumb integrated one.

as for potentially running discs, both the outlaw and conquest have 130 rear spacing. does the redline come with disc ready wheels? if not, finding 130 spaced disc hubs could be a challege. if it were me, i'd just stick with rim brakes...

i love my redline

I don't understand the geometry of BD's frames. Look at the head tubes. They're miniscule, requiring you to flip the stem and add a mess of spacers to get the bars anywhere near level with the saddle, which is necessary on my cross/road bikes. I ordered a Moto fixie and thought it was a good deal until I realised that there was no way I could ever make the geo work for me. All of their frames (Windsor and Moto) seem to have extremely short head tubes and the geo charts never provide the measurements. Feh. Go for the Redline.

I imagine the Redline is a nicer frame as they have a lot of testing behind their stuff, but I would look around ebay as good cross bikes, high end Ridley's, and the like have been going for less than $800

why do you want to replace your current motobecane to begin with?

I don't have a full bike, just the frame. I've built it up with 8-speed components and barcons. It's fine, but I want to get back to a brifter equipped bike.


i'd wager any motobecane/windsor is the exact same frame

Agreed


why not just do a few upgrades to your current bike?

Cost vs. benefit. If it were just a matter of swapping shifters or whatever I'd go that route, but I'm looking for new wheels and a entirely new drivetrain.


it appears the bikesdirect frames all can accomodate a rear rack and fenders. i'm not sure about the redline.

I've checked. The Redline has a single eyelet on the rear dropouts for a fender and rack. It's missing eyelets on the seatstay, but most racks accommodate that by using clamps.


if you're going to be riding in slop, a 10 speed drivetrain could be more finicky. do you really need a carbon fork to commute?

Well for that matter, I don't NEED a new bike, mine is going fine, but I'm always looking to upgrade.


i prefer that the redline uses a traditional threadless headset, rather than a dumb integrated one.

Me too. It says something that Chris King refuses to market a integrated headset.


if not, finding 130 spaced disc hubs could be a challege. if it were me, i'd just stick with rim brakes...

I've thought of this too. I haven't done enough research on 700c disc wheels to know if factory built 130mm hubs are becoming more prevalent. I suppose it's one thing for Bikes Direct to spec their bike that way, but it says something else when Redline does it as well.

Thanks for the response, I'm still mulling it over.

i used to have a kinesis made 'douglas' cross bike with disc tabs. the rear was spaced at 130 and came with disc compatible velomax (easton) sagitta's. (http://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/WHEELS/wheel_sagitta.html) they were super sweet wheels. i used them with canti's though. my only complaint is that the rims seemed soft on the braking surface. i frequently had to pick aluminum out of my pads and sand down the surface to make it smooth again.