Cyclocross - I want a Salsa La Cruz for my "everything" bike but....

I mainly bike for pleasure. Some rides are over 100 miles but I'm not concerned with having a "race" bike. Like I said, I do it for fun. I would also use it almost daily for a 14 mile round trip commute.

I'm going down the CX bike route because of more relaxed geometry, larger wheels, etc. I currently ride a Trek city style bike with 700x28 panaracer tires and really like them. I run the same tires in a 700x25 on my fixed gear.

I really dislike canti style brakes... and love disc brakes, which limits my bike options. So I found the La Cruz and like everything about it so far other than it having a steel fork. I've never ridden a steel fork (all my bikes are carbon forked)

I guess my question is.... will 700x28 tires work on the 29'er wheels that salsa supplies on the complete bike? or if someone could recommend another bike for me...

yes, i run 700x28 Contis on my salsa; i also run 700x35 Nokia studded tyres with full VO fenders. i love the salsa la cruz, and i love steel. there are other similar frames, like a fancy Gunnar frame, but the la cruz fits the ticket and the budget (uses the same frame tubing, too).

I wouldn't stress on the steel fork thing...I have a Rivendell with a steel fork and it rides great! If you really have to have carbon, there are replacement forks I'm sure...

Cool! glad to hear that that a x28 fits! Anything less than that and city riding is a little uncomfortable. I'm not tooo worried about the steel fork. I'm sure a carbon fork with CX tire clearance w/ disc tabs is impossible to find :)

Now I just have to find a dealer!

I'm pretty sure anyone that orders from QBP can get Salsa's....which is most shops. The trick will be finidng one to test ride if you need to....

I have a hard time not riding a bike that's over a thousand bucks before paying for it :)

IMO test-riding is overrated. In the short amount of time you ride the bike in the parking lot, you notice only the most obvious things. Things you initially dislike you might end up loving, and vice versa.

If the geometry and component specs are accurate, I don't see the need to test ride.

I dont know about that. I test rode a Bianchi Axis and immediately fell in love. I got my first fixed gear instead but sometimes regret not getting the Axis, which I may end up getting instead of the salsa. I'm sure I would love the Salsa and I enjoy having things from smaller quality companies instead of the big names, but I'm frugal and wont waste my money on stuff like that.

i'm pretty sure they do make carbon CX forks with disc tabs (maybe Windwood has a dual disc/canti one, i can't remember). but that just means you pay extra for the luxury of a disposable fork, since you'd need to replace it after you crash, which on an "everything" bike is only ever really a matter of "when" and not "if."

steel is for bruisin'

as for testride, fwiw, i got mine out of a big box (mine was frame only), sized as close as i and my bike-man could call it. it was 99% there. then i tweaked it with proper head and stem adjustment (not to mention the obvious seatpost adjustment) -- et voila: dialed-in loving

what's your beef with canti's? if you can't set them up properly, you can always go with mini v's.

disc brakes are heavy and, imho, overkill for a cross bike you'll be commuting on.

I prefer disc brakes... always have. I think Canti/V brakes and the lugs on the frame are ugly for the most part. That's all really. ;) I'll probably end up getting the (more affordable) Bianchi Axis unless my taxes come back with more than I expected.

I recently ordered an Axis from Jenson.. I know im going to love it.

I recently ordered an Axis from Jenson.. I know im going to love it.


Have you ridden one before? It was probably the smoothest bike I've ever been on.

sounds like you really want the Axis.... I have a feeling if you get the Salsa, you'll always be lusting for the Bianchi.

sounds like you really want the Axis.... I have a feeling if you get the Salsa, you'll always be lusting for the Bianchi.

I'm biased because I've never seen or ridden a Salsa first hand and the Bianchi is a few hundee less expensive. On paper the Salsa is the bike I want!

I think I'll put a note up on craigslist and talk to the local clubs to see if anyone has one. My girlfriend can order shoes on the internet all day long without trying them on... I just don't get that mentality :D

The lemond poprad disc also looks like a pretty good fit for me, but the state of lemond is a bit confusing since Trek kicked them in the back side and filed against them.

Have you ridden one before? It was probably the smoothest bike I've ever been on.

Yes, just a short test ride when buying another bike from the LBS that stocked Bianchi's.. It was nice. I've recently sold my BD road bike, so im in good shape to get the Axis.

Awesome. Let us know how the brakes are. All of the reviews I read say "the brakes suck!"

...

will 700x28 tires work on the 29'er wheels that salsa supplies on the complete bike?

or if someone could recommend another bike for me...

yes

other bikes - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368115

I wouldn't stress on the steel fork thing...I have a Rivendell with a steel fork and it rides great! If you really have to have carbon, there are replacement forks I'm sure...

+1

About 5 years ago I bought a used 1995 Waterford 1200. It was an ex Team Mack bike. http://teammackracing.org/ To make a long story short, It came with a Look CF fork and the original steel fork. I'm using the steel and have no regrets. It's not much heavier but rides better IMO. CF is definitely lighter but feels kind of dead. Good luck on the new bike.

Awesome. Let us know how the brakes are. All of the reviews I read say "the brakes suck!"

I have read that.. I plan to put on some kool stops pads. I use them on my commuter now.. they are sweet.