Cyclocross - Poprad Conundrum

I'm training for a Tri but also wanted an all-around bike since my '03 Spec Hardrock won't cut it on the pavement. The bike will mainly be a road trainer during the warmer months and convert to cx in the cold. I already decided the Poprad is for me but now I don't know which one (canti or disc) to pick up. I talked the LBS down to $1100 for an '08 canti Poprad. I also found an '07 disc Poprad for $200 less at a different LBS.

I'm concerned about swapping wheels on the disc Poprad (limited cost-effective selections for a 130 disc hub) although the disc brakes appeal to me in Chicago. Thoughts?

...I'm concerned about swapping wheels on the disc Poprad (limited cost-effective selections for a 130 disc hub) although the disc brakes appeal to me in Chicago. Thoughts?

Disc brakes won't affect the speed of wheel changes, if anything they're faster as you don't have to release the brakes (like on cantilever and caliper brakes).

Wouldn't it be easier just to swap out the tyres, depending on the race/surface?

Disc brakes won't affect the speed of wheel changes, if anything they're faster as you don't have to release the brakes (like on cantilever and caliper brakes).

Wouldn't it be easier just to swap out the tyres, depending on the race/surface?

I was looking to have a spare set of light wheels eventually and I've read on the forums that extra wheels for a disc 130 are difficult to come by on a budget. But just changing changing the tires on the stock rims would certainly work.

Cool

If you really need spare wheels then there are cheap disc hubs and spare rotors out there. It may take a bit of e-bay/craig's list/swap meet hunting though.

I don't think it'll be that hard to find 130 disc wheels...

The canti will definitely be much more flexible as far as wheel choices go, but if this is going to be your first tri, you probably won't even notice the wheels. I've ridden in the Pleasant Prairie Tri the past two years, first year on a Specialized Tricross and last year on a carbon road bike. I was 8 minutes faster the second year, but I think the vast majority of that was improvements to the engine, not weight loss.

So what I'm saying is pick the bike for the other 364 days of the year. If you think the discs will serve you better, go for the disc Poprad. If you don't have a strong preference for the discs, I'd go with what's more flexible.

$900 for an old-stock 07 Poprad disc sounds like a pretty good deal. If you're only concern is wheel changing, and you're not planning on racing, then I'd go for it. I think this was one of the coolest and most unique production bikes made in the past ten years. I wish Trek would continue it with their Gary Fisher line, but it looks like they've dropped the disc option.

FWIW? I love my canti Poprad; I don't even have a road bike per se. I just swap tires when I want to do road. Granted, I installed a compact crankset on it, but that still works on the trails I ride with no problems.

Thanks for all the advice. I decided on the canti Poprad and picked it up this afternoon. Now I just need to pick up a light road wheel set. Plus the white Poprad is sick!

Plus the white Poprad is sick!

It really is. I love mine. :)