Cyclocross - Help with CX bike choice

Hello everyone, Im new to the form but have been lurking here for a few days. I live in downtown Santa Barbara, CA and commute the 10 mile ride out to UCSB and back as much as I can.

I currently have a early 2000's Bianchi Eros that is tad too small and some of the components are starting to go. I've had a few people ride it and I and others agree that it is an uncanny how slow the bike is (but maybe I'm just a weak rider...whatever). Anyway I've been looking at new bikes and thinking about a CX. Its mainly for road commuting but the roads are crappy, there is some hard dirt areas to ride on and I want the versatility of wider tires (weather, weight etc). My price range is 1000.00-2000.00 and my preferences are speed, comfort, quality in that order I guess.

1) I have two LBS...one specializes in Treks, Giant, Jamis, the other in Scott, Kona, and Marin. I know the Kona JTS gets a lot of love here...why do people like them? Also anyone have any experience with the Treks?

2) I seem to get a lot of flats on this ride even with 700x23 Conti Gatorskins. I've gone 550 miles without a flat which obviously is nothing great. Im looking for opinions on 28mm vs 33mm and speed tradeoff vs flats (I'll definitely be getting some of the better flat resistance slicks.) and tire types.

3) What are the upgrades you typically get by going from 1200 -1400 -1600.00 etc...

Any help would be great....feel free to throw anything else out there that might be usefull.

There's really a big selection of bikes in your price range. Especially as you near $2K. You could get a Motobecane Ti bike and have change left over for that price.

That Bianchi is steel and I think a nice bike. I wouldn't mind having one. There could be a lot of reasons why that bike feels slow and could be the difference between the fancy bike that the other riders have compared to the Eros.

There is a huge difference between a $1k bike and a $2k bike. Huge. Mainly frame material and component level.

I assume you are talking about Trek cross bikes since you posted in this forum. I've heard good things about them, but I will never buy another Trek aluminum frame again. Ride is too harsh.

Those tires should be good. Maybe buy some tire liners and also check your rim tape. I've seen rim tape cause as many flats as glass. I'd stick with 23's or maybe 25's if you're riding on the road.

The higher you go in budget, the better the components. $1200 you're probably talking an aluminum frame and 105 components, $1600 still aluminum and possibly Ultegra components, $2000 carbon frame and possibly still Ultegra. Go used in this range and all bets are off. $2k can get you a extremely nice used bike. Plus you can haggle. Check your local craigslist.

Hello everyone, Im new to the form but have been lurking here for a few days. I live in downtown Santa Barbara, CA and commute the 10 mile ride out to UCSB and back as much as I can...


2) I seem to get a lot of flats on this ride even with 700x23 Conti Gatorskins. I've gone 550 miles without a flat which obviously is nothing great. Im looking for opinions on 28mm vs 33mm and speed tradeoff vs flats (I'll definitely be getting some of the better flat resistance slicks.) and tire types...


Any help would be great....feel free to throw anything else out there that might be usefull.

I use both the 700x28 Gatorback and the 700x32 Specialized Armadillo and the Armadillo resists flats better. They do not provide much traction on wet pavement, however and are heavier & stiffer feeling.

Consider a Jamis SuperNova. It has road bike like geometry and is light weight do to its very good frame construction and component group.

Michael

1)

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/portland/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '09 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2009/bikes/ronin.php
Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php

rocky mountain solo cxd - http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+SOLO_CXD.html?BIKE=606#2

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm
Kona Sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/09_sutra_en.cfm
Kona Dew Drop - http://www.konaworld.com/09_dewdrop_en.cfm

Orbea Diem Drop Disc (2009) - http://www.orbea.com/en-gb/productos/bicicletas/Pages/bicicletas.aspx (see road bikes > fitness > diem drop disc)

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php
focus mares disc 2009 - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_mares_disc.php

Devinci Caribou2 (2009) - http://www.devinci.com/11628_an.html

Raleigh USA Sojourn (2009) - http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/sojourn/

Rei Novara buzz road bike (2009) - http://www.rei.com/product/779985

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

Fixie Inc. Pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/bikes/cyclocross/pure-blood
fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html
Salsa Fargo - http://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html

Opus Sentiero - http://opusbike.com/site_route.php?lang=en (see 2009 bikes > road > cyclocross)

Genesis Croix de Fer - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/croix_de_fer

BikesDirect Motobecane Fantom Cross Outlaw - http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/outlaw.htm

Baron bicycles - http://baronbicycles.com/spec.htm


2)

I've only ever used specialized armadillos ( http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqSuperSection.jsp?ssid=ArmadilloTires&eid=355 ). The only punctures (~2-3 per year) were from wire slivers in the road.

3)

Usually as you go up in price the following will get better, frame, gears, wheels, components (stem, saddle, etc.), in incremental steps until your bike reaches top of the range. The increments and what changes depends on the manufacturer.

i had a 2007 trek xo-1 which was nice although the ride would beat the hell out of you (harsh) i then went on to a 2008 redline conquest pro which i like a lot better , nicer ride and a lively feel to it , then i went to my present ride a 2009 giant tcx1 which rides great i will say it rides as good as the redline and it will acelerate like a rocket , i paid under 1200.00 for the giant - good luck in your search :)

check out the bianchi axis. or if you like steel the bianchi volpe. you may want to beef up the road tires a bit. I used to ride 700x23's but have since gone to 700x25 gatorskins. Good tire for the pavements and grassy paths.