Cyclocross - Dawes lightning cross

I noticed a new cross bike on BD here (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/ltcross.htm)

My main question is about the components - does anyone have experience with Shimano 2200 brifters/derailleurs? A quick search revealed everything from "same as Sora" to "crap".

Also, are any other components of questionable quality?

The components seem fine to me for that price. The bike probably weighs in excess of 25 lbs, but other than that, IMHO, you will not notice any significant difference in performance between this bike and something at the $1000-$1200 range.

2200 is very similar to Sora. The STI shifters are the same, except painted black. Same goes for some of the other components. Remember, new Sora is 9 speed and has had something of an upgrade, so expect to see 2200 more often (as people try and keep prices down).

2200 is very similar to Sora. The STI shifters are the same, except painted black. Same goes for some of the other components. Remember, new Sora is 9 speed and has had something of an upgrade, so expect to see 2200 more often (as people try and keep prices down).

Sora reminds me of the late great Campy Mirage. Which was basically a Veloce with a crappy finish. Why use ultegra on bike you're going to abuse? It's a lot cheaper to replace Sora than Ultegra. Good luck

But Sora isn't rebadged ultegra.

OP: 2200 is below Sora, but it's basically last generation's sora. It's nothing exciting, but it will work decently well.

But Sora isn't rebadged ultegra.

OP: 2200 is below Sora, but it's basically last generation's sora. It's nothing exciting, but it will work decently well.


I agree and disagree.
True, Sora or 2200 isn't Ultegra. But IT WORKS JUST AS WELL.
The only difference in performance is the weight. Period.

One of my bikes is full DA, the other is Ultegra. Another one of my bikes is XTR (MTB comparable to DA).
I have another bike that is Deore(Tiagra) and my wife's bike is 2200. I Keep all my bikes tuned properly. I ride all of them and I can tell you there is no difference in shifting performance. The only difference is when I pick the bike up. My DA bike feels like a feather compared to my wife's Fuji with 2200 parts.

I agree and disagree.
True, Sora or 2200 isn't Ultegra. But IT WORKS JUST AS WELL.
The only difference in performance is the weight. Period.

One of my bikes is full DA, the other is Ultegra. Another one of my bikes is XTR (MTB comparable to DA).
I have another bike that is Deore(Tiagra) and my wife's bike is 2200. I Keep all my bikes tuned properly. I ride all of them and I can tell you there is no difference in shifting performance. The only difference is when I pick the bike up. My DA bike feels like a feather compared to my wife's Fuji with 2200 parts.

I pretty much agree with the above.....I could see the possibility that in the heat of racing where split second shifting under enormous loads is critical one might see a difference, but I don't see shifting performance differences between my Dura Ace and Tiagra bikes.. In fact, when my Major Jake's Dura Ace Shifters wore out (they do that), I replaced with Tiagra and have never looked back. Tiagra just seems to make a lot more sense for a used and abused cross bike and it works just fine for me. My buddy's 105 does not perform differently from my Dura Ace either. The caviat here is that all shifters must be properly adjusted. Once that is done, they all seem to work pretty well under normal riding around conditions.

As cyclists, our pride often renders us fodder for savy marketers. Cycling product prices skyrocket primarily for one reason; people will pay it to avoid looking like or thinking they bought something other than high end.

In reality, even bar end shifters set to friction work pretty darn good for most applications. Sexy shifters will never make you fast :)

Couldn't agree more. I actually like Sora, but then again I love Campy. Never had any performance issues with the shifters, but I will say that the older one's didn't have incremental adjustments in shifting. Not sure if the new one's do or not, but that was a little annoying with the front shifters. Maybe that was an adjustment issue rather than a deficiency in the shifter.

It does crack me up when I see someone sporting Campy Record on a bike that doesn't see speeds faster than 15 mph though. People like their bling.

It does crack me up when I see someone sporting Campy Record on a bike that doesn't see speeds faster than 15 mph though. People like their bling.

LOL....+1....(and I am not necessarily exempt) :)