Cyclocross - Newbie to 'cross bikes

Hey everyone - I was looking into getting a cyclocross bike and I need some help in choosing a bike/frameset.

I am really drawn to cyclocross bikes simply because they're so versatile - slap on some slicks and you've basically got a road bike, but put on some knobblier tires and you can do some moderate trail riding. Plus, they seem more agile and lighter than my mountain bike.

I plan on riding the bike 75% on the street, 25% on trails. In terms of racing/competition, I would consider doing it for fun once in a while, seeing as how I've heard the cyclocross crowd is pretty friendly to newcomers.

Given this information, should I even bother w/ a 'cross bike (and just get a road bike) if I'm going to ride mainly on the street? What should I look for in a frameset/bike? Should I steer away from carbon? Also, are those extra brake levers on the center of the bars necessary?

My price range is around $1000 CAD for a complete.

I've been looking at these:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25172&subcategory_ID=3040

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26539&subcategory_ID=3040

http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+Solo_CX.html?BIKE=174&Y=2008#2 (Prices?)

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/conquest.html (Prices?)

Also, I checked out the Specialized Tricross and Tricross Single, but I'm not sure how well an SS would fare here in the Lower Mainland... there are quite a few hills that I can imagine having a tough time on. However, I do like the simplicity.


And just in case it makes any difference, I'm pretty short - around 5' 4.5" tall, roughly 26" inseam.

Thanks in advance!

The Cyclocross bike is a great bike for what you describe.

Given this information, should I even bother w/ a 'cross bike (and just get a road bike) if I'm going to ride mainly on the street? Yes

What should I look for in a frameset/bike? Should I steer away from carbon? A full carbon frame is way over your budget and not really ideal for your needs.

Also, are those extra brake levers on the center of the bars necessary? The bar top brake levers are great for city riding and braking on descents when off-road.


Try to get Shimano 105 components. They are featured on some of the bikes you are looking at.

Michael

What should I look for in a frameset/bike? Should I steer away from carbon? A full carbon frame is way over your budget and not really ideal for your needs.

Not necessarily a full carbon bike, but how about carbon chainstays or a carbon fork?

The Jamis Nova Pro is a great bike with a carbon fork & seatstays. I like steel frames with a carbon fork for Cross bikes, but I'm on crappy roads 99% of the time. Steel rides great and the value is strong.

Michael

I have not ridden any of the bikes you are looking at but I think you are on the right track. I think I could easily only own my cyclocross bike and be just fine. It is fast on the road with the right tires and still handles wonderfully off raod. The off road hills I climb on that thing often have my mtb buddies falling over behind me; but it does not descend technical singletrack all that well. OVerall, however I love my cx bike.

I ended up with a cyclocross bike when I was looking for something that would be fast on my 30 mile RT commute and still allow me to go mountain biking with my buddies at lunch.

I can't say enough good things about my Kona Major Jake. I love it so much I have often considered getting a Jake the Snake frame so I don't have to use my good bike for everything (but that does not really make much sense).

Be aware that it took me a little while to fall in love with my cross bike. I have a giant TCR 0 that is crazy fast and I did not immediately fall for the geometry of my cross bike. Since then, I have moved my fit on my road bike to more closely resemble my cross bike fit.

On Saturday I did a quick 30 mile road ride with my cross bike and 25c road tires only pumped up to 90 psi. It was one of the most pleasant rides I have done all year. In fact, it led me to be temped to sell my road bike and only maintain my Major Jake. Honestly, I would not be giving all that much up in doing so. I have done multiple on and off road centuries on my cross bike with no problem.

My advice would be to get the best parts you can, but don't necessarily be afraid of Tiagra. My MJ came with Dura Ace shifters and Ultegra ders. When the shifters wore out, I replaced them with tiagra because that is what I had and I have never been sorry. The Tiagra shifts like a charm every time. The only downside to a tiagra bike is that weight comprimises have been made all over the bike. I might try to lean more toward 105 components just to try to keep the thing as light as possible. 400 grams here and there is not such a big deal, but it adds up fast when every part is heavier than it needs to be.

Also, don't be too afraid to buy used. I buy almost every bike used. That is how I ride $2000-$3,000 bikes and only pay $1,000. Have never been sorry as long as I do my homework before the purchase.

Trust me, I've been scouring eBay and Craigslist for used cross bikes... but they're all like 53cm+ when I'm pretty sure that's too large for me.

By the way, you might get more responses if you post a similar question in the commuting forum. I think most of the guys riding cross bikes on these forums are posting most often on the commuting forum. This cross forum is great but gets relatively little traffic.

By the way, you might get more responses if you post a similar question in the commuting forum. I think most of the guys riding cross bikes on these forums are posting most often on the commuting forum. This cross forum is great but gets relatively little traffic.

+1... What Sawtooth said...

To add my two cents:

I have a hardtail MTB and a 'traditional' road bike to go along with my CX rig. If I had to have only one bike, it would be my CX'er. On the road it's about 90% as fast/efficient as my Ultegra-853 road machine. On the dirt it's about 80% as capable as the MTB. It has an aluminum frame and carbon fork, but it derives a lot of its' superior riding comfort from having a longer wheelbase and sporting higher-volume tires.

To affirm an earlier poster, try to get 105-level components or above. Test as many different bikes as you can (they all have unique "personalities" and fits) and choose what suits you best. You can hardly go wrong with a 'cross bike.

Best of luck - and let us know what happens in your search!

DWR

Try to get Shimano 105 components. They are featured on some of the bikes you are looking at.

Michael

I agree with all of your comments but this one. I bought a cross bike with Tiagra because it was all I could afford. Thousands of miles later I have replaced the cranks, rear brakes, pedals (duh) bars, stem, post, saddle, rear derailleur and soon the wheels (bent in a crash) but not the Tiagra shifter(s) though I am running 1 x 9 now. I have been very impressed with the group's performance. An added bonus is that a 9 speed drivetrain is more versatile due to interchangeability with mountain parts, if that's of any importance.

I would personally focus on the best wheelset and of course the frame that suits your purposes, and also budget in stem, bar, and saddle changes to suit preference. Unortunately wheels are harder to compare directly than shifters/derailleurs.

FWIW, I purchased a Conquest Pro this offseason and rode it all winter. Quickly becoming my favorite all-around machine. Great value for what I spent as well.