Cyclocross - Anyone buy a CX bike and regret it?

Thought we could save some time on all the future "should I buy a CX bike" threads :) So, has anyone ever bought a cyclocross bike (or know someone who has), then ended up replacing it with a road or mountain bike?

I bought a cyclocross bike when I should have bought groceries. Short term regret I suppose.

I already had a 2006 Tricross comp that I had relegated to cross racing and purchased a new 2008 Tricross Sport for a road bike. I was quite disappointed with the Sport as a road only bike. Was quite a bit slower than the road bikes I've had in the past. I ended up selling it and buying a road bike.

Maybe this needs to be more specific. Let's say put yourself in one of the following categories:

1. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing.

2. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose.

3. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for road riding.

4. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and road riding.

5. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose

6. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for cyclocross racing

7. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding

8. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding and cyclocross racing

9. Wanted a bike for road riding

10. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose

11. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for cyclocross racing

12. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and cyclocross racing

I think that just about covers it. I further think that category 9 is the only one where you'll be disappointed with a cyclocross bike, assuming that you get one with braze-onds/eyelets for rack and fenders if you're in any of the commuting/general purpose categories. I further further think that a cyclocross bike is the best choice for any but category 5 and category 9, and maybe even for category 5, depending on circumstances. YMMV.

FWIW, I was in category 7 when I bought my Kona Jake, and I am absolutely and without qualification happy with the choice. I subsequently drifted into category 8, which made it an even better choice.

I left out choices involving touring/light touring.

Maybe this needs to be more specific. Let's say put yourself in one of the following categories:

1. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing.

2. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose.

3. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for road riding.

4. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and road riding.

5. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose

6. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for cyclocross racing

7. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding

8. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding and cyclocross racing

9. Wanted a bike for road riding

10. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose

11. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for cyclocross racing

12. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and cyclocross racing

I think that just about covers it. I further think that category 9 is the only one where you'll be disappointed with a cyclocross bike, assuming that you get one with braze-onds/eyelets for rack and fenders if you're in any of the commuting/general purpose categories. I further further think that a cyclocross bike is the best choice for any but category 5 and category 9, and maybe even for category 5, depending on circumstances. YMMV.

FWIW, I was in category 7 when I bought my Kona Jake, and I am absolutely and without qualification happy with the choice. I subsequently drifted into category 8, which made it an even better choice.

:thumb:

I also fit in #7 and am happy with a CX bike.

Since I suffer from n + 1, my next bike will be a fast long distance road bike like the Salsa Pistola. This will be a little better for group rides and centuries.

My Soma Double Cross might get converted to credit card touring usage after the Pistola is added.

A good steel CX bike can be reconfigured quickly and cost effectively. Mine has evolved from commuter to road bike to century bike. With a change in gearing and a light & compact set of racks & panniers it will become a light touring bike next.

Michael

It would help to know what you're starting with and what you intend to use it for. I bought a cyclocross bike as a first/only bike last year and its been great so far. I'm not doing group rides or racing, but it seems fast enough on the roads and still capable on the light trails. This lets you sample the riding in your area to see which you prefer. If you intend on having only one bike, then a used CX bike might be a good idea to play around with, then sell it when you know what you want to ride.

... If you intend on having only one bike, then a used CX bike might be a good idea to play around with, then sell it when you know what you want to ride.

I've been following this thread because I want to avoid doing this.

I bought a hybrid/mountain bike a few years ago after not having anything for a decade. It turns out to be a poor match for the way I ride -- which is generally as fast as I can. I want something with a more aggressive riding posture. I do not want a rack or panniers. I have not decided if I will ride my new bike in the winter or if I'll ride my current bike. Ultimately, I'm worried that if I buy a CX bike, I will regret it and wish I had a road bike. So, like the OP, I'm curious if anyone has had this regret.

If you already know you want to go fast, you can decide based on your intended terrain and if you're riding with experienced people on road bikes that you need to keep up with. You can still set up a CX bike for aggressive posture. Go for some test rides on road and CX bikes and see what you think.

No interest in gravel/dirt? probably road bike. Maybe gravel/dirt? CX bike. I've mixed pavement with some dirt, grass, and gravel in one ride with the Ritchey Speedmax tires that came with my bike and i'm happy. A 2nd set of road tires (and wheels?) would let you specialize your rides a bit more. When I was looking for info, most people said a CX bike with swapped tires would be nearly as fast as a road bike.

Maybe this needs to be more specific. Let's say put yourself in one of the following categories:
....

7. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding

......

10. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose


I think that just about covers it. I further think that category 9 is the only one where you'll be disappointed with a cyclocross bike, assuming that you get one with braze-onds/eyelets for rack and fenders if you're in any of the commuting/general purpose categories. I further think that a cyclocross bike is the best choice for any but category 5 and category 9, and maybe even for category 5, depending on circumstances. YMMV.

FWIW, I was in category 7 when I bought my Kona Jake, and I am absolutely and without qualification happy with the choice. I subsequently drifted into category 8, which made it an even better choice.

I left out choices involving touring/light touring.

I do subscribe to category #7 in this list, may be with a smidgen of #10 and strong desire to reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil, one person at a time, starting with me. Add "FAST" to category #5 an CX rules there, no competition. I am in love with my cyclotank:love:

Good Luck and Safe Ride

SF

I've been following this thread because I want to avoid doing this.

I bought a hybrid/mountain bike a few years ago after not having anything for a decade. It turns out to be a poor match for the way I ride -- which is generally as fast as I can. I want something with a more aggressive riding posture. I do not want a rack or panniers. I have not decided if I will ride my new bike in the winter or if I'll ride my current bike. Ultimately, I'm worried that if I buy a CX bike, I will regret it and wish I had a road bike. So, like the OP, I'm curious if anyone has had this regret.

If your priority is going as fast as you can on good roads AND you don't want the ability to add a rack and fenders AND you don't intend to ride in the winter (i.e. run wide tires), then I think a road bike is probably the way to go. But if you're wavering on any of these points, a CX bike could be a hedge as it is nearly as fast as a road bike and can do the other things too.

I regret it.

I want a cross country mtb, but I can't justify it - My cyclocross handles any of the trails, singletrack and fireroads I can find..
I also want a road bike, but I can't justify that, either - the cyclocross goes plenty fast, and the 1 or 2 mph from the tires just isn't worth the price.

Stupid f---ing practicality. :D

I don't regret my purchase of a cyclocross bike in the least. Recently, I went on an 80 mile ride, mostly road, but included some singletrack trail. Having the versatility of a cx bike is a good thing. I got quite a few looks on the trail - mostly the what is that person doing on a road bike look. Its fun. I'd take it to Mammoth Mountain if it weren't for a couple of stretches, just to mess with people. I use it for commuting, touring, fun rides... just about everything.

I totally left mountain biking out of my list of categories. I'll need to redo the list with touring and mountain biking to create a comprehensive list of 80 categories. :)

With regard to mountain biking, if you really want to do mountain biking (beyond the standard fare non-technical singletrack) then that's probably another place where a CX bike would be a bad choice. But I suspect that most people, especially those wondering if a CX bike might work for them, aren't ever (ever) really going to do much more than non-technical singletrack.

That's me. I just snagged a CX frame off eBay, primarily for racing this fall, but before that I'll ride the many miles of non-technical trails in Burton Creek State Park up at Tahoe City.

With regard to mountain biking, if you really want to do mountain biking (beyond the standard fare non-technical singletrack) then that's probably another place where a CX bike would be a bad choice. But I suspect that most people, especially those wondering if a CX bike might work for them, aren't ever (ever) really going to do much more than non-technical singletrack.

Agreed. I don't do any technical mountain biking, so there's no reason to get a mtb. The CX bike can handle it.

It's more of an "I want one!" kind of thing with the mountain bike. It would be nice to have a fat-tired front suspensioned bike to beat on riding the trails once in a while. Just to mix things up. But it's not really necessary unless I find some harsher off-road trails.

I definitely have never regretted buying my cyclocross bike(s). Having said that I did/do own a mountain bike and road bike already. Nowadays the road bike see almost no use. I think that I've ridden it twice in the last year. I've gotten so comfortable on the 'cross bike that I prefer to swap wheels and tires and ride the 'cross bike on the road. I have found it to be just as fast as my road bike.
I also use my 'cross bike for racing, trail riding, and touring. I have been riding my mountain bike quite a bit lately.

i bought a road bike and i probably should have gotten a cx bike. i keep heading off on gravel and i seem to be a little more abusive to my road bike than i should.

CX is the better general purpose bike platform. There is no reason you can't be "fast" on a CX bike. If skinnie tires are your thing, you can use skinnie tires. I'm sure the head tubes are low enough for pretty much anybody on a CX bike.

I don't regret building up my CX bike... I grew into it after about ten years of riding road and mtn machines. When I first got back into riding, cyclocross bikes weren't popular. If you wanted a "do-it-all" bike back then, you got talked into a hybrid, which could indeed do it all - just none of it well.

Cyclocross bikes are such an improvement on the hybrid concept... Instead of taking a light mtb frame; adding crappy 700c wheels; a wimpy fork; and freezing the rider in one position... CX's take the opposite tack: Mildly beef up a road frame; add a strong, light wheelset; a selection of tires to fit any terrain; and a comfortable but fairly aero riding position with drop bars - and you hit much closer to a combination that works in the real world.

The only ways I could regret purchasing a CX bike would be; A) if it just plain didn't fit B) if I wanted something for technical off-roading, or C) If I just had to have the fastest, lightest, most responsive bike for a serious group ride or race. For everything else a CX is awesome.

I partially regret getting a cross bike, 'partially' meaning there are aspects of it that I still like, but emerging aspects that I don't...

To me my bike is starting to feel too stiff for trail use. It does climb like mad but if I go downhill or pick up any speed, the ride is just too jarring. It serves as a blatant reminder as to why nearly all mountain bikes have at least front suspensions.

On pavement, if I run the oem 700x32 tires at about 75/85psi front/rear, it feels like the bike rolls about as slowly as a mountain bike and transmits power about as poorly as one. When I roll over something that I can't avoid, though, and the tires have absorbed as much shock as they can, it feels like my frameset transmits all of the remaining shock to me. Ouch.

If I run 700x28 conti gatorskins at 95/100psi front/rear, I get what feels like a stiffer ride than I do with my road bike with the same tires at the same pressures. Both bikes run 32 3x wheelsets, btw.

To summarize, it seems to combine the weaknesses of a road bike- the vertical stiffness- and those of a mountain bike- high rolling resistance and poor power transmission- while not performing as well as either for their respective purposes.

I'm thinking about selling the cross bike and replacing it with a single or double suspension mtb while keeping my road bike.

I would certainly fall on the "regret" side of ownership. Maybe it comes down to bad fit for person and purpose, but I have a strong affinity toward vintage steel road bikes.

Regret? Yes! I regret not buying a cross bike sooner.

I regret it.

I want a cross country mtb, but I can't justify it - My cyclocross handles any of the trails, singletrack and fireroads I can find..
I also want a road bike, but I can't justify that, either - the cyclocross goes plenty fast, and the 1 or 2 mph from the tires just isn't worth the price.

Stupid f---ing practicality. :D

Hey, me too. I vaguely want to buy another bike, but realistically the only thing the Tricross isn't good for is gnarly downhill mountain biking. How often have I done that? For approximately 45 minutes in the last 5 years, not counting overseas trips.

Fwiw, here's what not to do with your Tricross: Load it up for touring, with slick tyres. Take it to the top of a steep mountain on a rainy, haily day. Leave the seat in its normal raised position. Ignore the loose brakes, because you're too lazy. Wear thick ski gloves because it's cold. Now, go down a steep muddy goat track marked "Danger, no bikes". Ugh.

(Though I actually think it could have survived the track with the right tyres, no panniers, proper set up, and no mud.)

I guess one way to look at this thread is to imagine a continuum:
<Downhill mountain biking ---------------- general commuting ------------------- long distance road riding>

A CX bike cover a broad stretch of the middle ground well, better than a hybrid, for example. But if most of your riding is at both extremes, you'll probably be disappointed, and much prefer to have two bikes. The same could be said with another continuum for touring: if you either commute or do 2 month tours, you would probably prefer "the ultimate touring bike".

I think I'm lucky that so much of my riding is still in the sweet spot - commuting, short tours, mostly non-technical singletrack with non hardcore mtb'ers, shortish road rides, no racing....

Steve

I don't so much regret buying the cross bike as who I bought it from.
It served me well enough and continues to when called upon.
It lives in the garage mostly now as my full fendered rain bike.

Probably a 5 or 9. At the time I didn't want a Trek, and really dislike the Specialized dealer, Felt/Bianchi dealer was the only other local option. He only deals in cross and mountain bikes and pours out some pretty good cross bike Kool aid.
Live and Learn I guess, haven't been back in his store for nearly 2 years.

Still have visions of actually using the cross bike as a cross bike at some point in time though.

I don't so much regret buying the cross bike as who I bought it from.
It served me well enough and continues to when called upon.
It lives in the garage mostly now as my full fendered rain bike.

Probably a 5 or 9. At the time I didn't want a Trek, and really dislike the Specialized dealer, Felt/Bianchi dealer was the only other local option. He only deals in cross and mountain bikes and pours out some pretty good cross bike Kool aid.
Live and Learn I guess, haven't been back in his store for nearly 2 years.

Still have visions of actually using the cross bike as a cross bike at some point in time though.

Why don't you normally ride the CX bike? What do you normally ride?

Why don't you normally ride the CX bike? What do you normally ride?
My true road bike is lighter, handles better, brakes better, fits better and rides a bit nicer. None of which is the fault of the cross bike per se, but none of the dire predictions spewed at me by the offending LBS when I told them I wanted a road bike have come to pass.

I ride a true road bike usually. I like the cross bike(Felt F1X)just fine, I just like the road bike more.

I ride a true road bike usually. I like the cross bike(Felt F1X)just fine, I just like the road bike more.

What is your road bike? Do you need to handle potholes? Riding off curbs?

What is your road bike? Do you need to handle potholes? Riding off curbs?
I'm not sure what you are driving at,or how that matters. It is Titanium and it has clearance for about a maximum of 25c tires, which I ride.

Our roads are in decent shape so I don't have to do much avoiding of potholes but the wheels would seem to have more to do with the ability to handle potholes that anything else. My everyday wheels were a set of sciroocos that handled multiple bunny hops over two foot sections of pavement that the university decided to remove from the road one morning. Currently I ride a set of SL-42 handbuilts 32 rear 24 front, also bombproof so far.

I don't really do curb drops if I can avoid them with any of my bicycles. But again it's all in the wheels and I actually trust the sciroccos and handbuilts more for that sort of thing than the stock Felt wheels. (I have had to spend quality time them, not so much my other wheels)

I'm not sure what you are driving at,or how that matters.


My true road bike is lighter, handles better, brakes better, fits better and rides a bit nicer.

Seems like you like the bike... I want to add it to my list of bikes to consider!

I was asking about the condition of the roads in order to understand if that has an impact on your choice. If your roads or paths are in rough condition and you still prefer the road bike, that lets me ease my mind some about how a road bike would handle my commute.

Seems like you like the bike... I want to add it to my list of bikes to consider!

I was asking about the condition of the roads in order to understand if that has an impact on your choice. If your roads or paths are in rough condition and you still prefer the road bike, that lets me ease my mind some about how a road bike would handle my commute.

AHHH I'm beginning to understand. The road bike is custom. I've posted it a few times in the road forum.

Lots of chipseal here, roads are in pretty good condition, bike paths not so much so I mostly stay off of them. A dealer friend went back to Wisconsin for some Trek thing and when he returned he was commenting on how nice our roads are compared to there. FWIW

Wheels wheels wheels. A road bike with decent wheels should survive anything a commute can throw at it. Cx bike will/may have ahigher spoke count wheel from the factory and with CX top levers it's marginally nicer if you are spending lots of time on the tops.

I hated the factory brakes on the Felt, new pads helped a little but mini v's made it stop nicely. I'm a big boy though so it may not be an issue for you.

My true road bike is lighter, handles better, brakes better, fits better and rides a bit nicer.

Ditto, I've found that cross bikes in my size, 58, usually have head tubes that are about 2-3cm shorter than their "comfort" road bike counterparts.

I ended up with my Tricross partly because it has such a long steerer tube which compensated for its short head tube.. which I later found leaves me with steerer tube flex when I sprint/climb out of saddle.

Overally, I've come to roughly the same realizations as you and now I'm in a similar situaiton in that I've found that a road bike is best for the road and my cross bike is mostly left as a kind of auxilary bike.


Do you need to handle potholes? Riding off curbs?

You just ride around or bunny hop potholes. If you really want some shock absorption, you use the largest tires your frameset can accommodate. That and get a vertically flexible frame, like the Cannondale Synapse/Giant Defy Alliance/Look 566/etc. As for riding off curbs, I just don't do it and I don't see why I would need to.

Bought a cyclocross bike for a bit of everything, and hated it, bought a mountain bike and its better for pretty much everything, even road riding.

This was possibly down to the bike I bought rather than the type though, it just felt horrible and sluggish and dead once I got in on the open road and did a few sprints. I tested a specialized and it was much better, but didn't really want to buy it for various reasons... really really regret that decision, that was alot of money for me and I still haven't managed to sell the one I hate.

I kinda regret buying the mountain bike as well, it's an awsome bike, I'm just still trying to justify the cost, which I know is a mistake, and seem to want everything apart from what I've got, purely because it's not the one I've got.

So name names... what was the cross bike you didn't like?

I've had kind of a love/hate affair with my Gunnar Crosshairs over the last many years. I love the way it feels and rides, and it handles nicely. But I've struggled for these many years to be truly comfortable on it with drop bars. High stems, low stems, short stem, long stems, I'm never quite comfortable. Anyway, right now it's set up for child seat duty with a Titec H bar, so it's kind of a moot point.


Bought a cyclocross bike for a bit of everything, and hated it, bought a mountain bike and its better for pretty much everything, even road riding.

This was possibly down to the bike I bought rather than the type though, it just felt horrible and sluggish and dead once I got in on the open road and did a few sprints. I tested a specialized and it was much better, but didn't really want to buy it for various reasons... really really regret that decision, that was alot of money for me and I still haven't managed to sell the one I hate.

I kinda regret buying the mountain bike as well, it's an awsome bike, I'm just still trying to justify the cost, which I know is a mistake, and seem to want everything apart from what I've got, purely because it's not the one I've got.

I'm getting the impression that if I'd ever ridden a road bike, I wouldn't be so happy with my Tricross :) Fork flex? No idea if I get that or not. Best not to find out either, I think.

I'm actually struggling with almost the exact opposite question: whether I should get a cross bike or a mountain bike. I'm not planning on doing much besides light single track and some fire roads/trails, but I'd hate to get a cross bike out onto the trail and decide that it's too hard to control it from the tops or hoods. I ride all road right now, and I'm very comfortable with controlling a bike with drop bars, but I've always equated off-road with riser or flat bars.

I'd hate to get a cross bike out onto the trail and decide that it's too hard to control it from the tops or hoods. I ride all road right now, and I'm very comfortable with controlling a bike with drop bars, but I've always equated off-road with riser or flat bars.

I've had no such problem, probably because the wheelbase is so long and the steering angle is so slack. In addition, drop handlebars generally offer more steering stability that mtb bars; if you get in the drops, you lower your center of gravity and more evenly distribute your weight from front to rear than if you're sitting more upright. If you're on your hoods., you place your hands farther ahead of the steering axis than you would with flat handlebars, which itself results in a slower steering response; it's the same as when someone installs a longer stem and notices the bike's steering is slower.

If none of that makes sense, just read more discussion and you'll see people saying how their cross bikes have a very stable steering feel.

If you think you'll be riding in a lot of sand/snow/mud/deep, soft dirt or any surface in which you want lots of leverage over the handlebars, you may want flat handlebars, meaning a mountain bike.

Also, a cross bike is analogous to a rigid mountain bike, i.e. other than the tires, there is no shock absorption so you'll take a beating on any downhill. Either you like or can accept that or not.

[QUOTE=seat_boy;9141760]So name names... what was the cross bike you didn't like?QUOTE]

Twas a bianchi axis. I've moved to a chameleon and it's better off road, and feels better on road, just so much more responsive, and seems to be comfier, whislt still sprinting better. The comfort is possibly down to tyres though.

Wouldn't mind it to possibly be a bit longer, but I was inbetween sizes, and the medium was 2/3rds of the price of the large.

1. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing.

2. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose.

3. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for road riding.

4. Wanted a bike for cyclocross racing that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and road riding.

5. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose

6. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for cyclocross racing

7. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding

8. Wanted a bike for commuting/general purpose that I could also use for road riding and cyclocross racing

9. Wanted a bike for road riding

10. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose

11. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for cyclocross racing

12. Wanted a bike for road riding that I could also use for commuting/general purpose and cyclocross racing


13. Wanted a bike for road riding and commuting and limited recreational off-road riding.

I'm considering a crossbike too. I understand that it won't do the extreme of mountain biking, but specifically how would it handle drops? I mean if i'm on a crossbike, and i go over a 5' drop am i gonna kill the fork? Is most of that dependent on the wheels?

I'm just wondering, "if i get a crossbike what are the bikes limits?" I know there are a lot of variables.. I'm looking at a frame like this: http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/product.php?id=36

I'm a novice obviously.

I don't think the limitation is going to be the frame, fork or wheels, but your skills. Tires are going to make a big difference. Lower pressure and wider widths will make it more easily tackle stuff like this. Picking your line is the best way to handle a drop on a rigid bike like a cross bike. Riding it over a mountain bike will help you build your skills. FS bikes make it easy to avoid learning skills like this.

I don't think I'd take my alu/carbon fork off a 5 foot drop. Ok, I'm sure I wouldn't. But as others have said, CX bikes are not for hardcore downhill.

I've seen 5' drops screw up some mountain bikes, so unless it is a tough cross bike, and/or you are a stupidly smooth lander, I don't reckon it would be advisable.

How much the bike can take depends more on the landing and your skills. I probably wouldn't advise it though.
I wouldn't take any bike off of a 5' drop, but that's me and I'm old and have broken too many bones.

I understand that it won't do the extreme of mountain biking, but specifically how would it handle drops? I mean if i'm on a crossbike, and i go over a 5' drop am i gonna kill the fork?

I've been to Whistler in the summer, so I've seen the crazy s**t that people do on mountain bikes, but personally I'd consider a 5 foot drop to be well toward the extreme end, particularly in relation to what you might do on a CX bike. If you're really gonna do that, don't even consider anything that doesn't have full suspension.

It's cool that i'm getting varied responses on this. The 5' drop was a bit of an extreme example. I don't know that one would do a 5' drop on a xc bike (80- 100 suspension), really.

If i'm skilled and going fast down the trail, and i see a drop coming up that is x high, at what point should x make me get off and walk for the sake of the bike? 1' 2' 3'? This assumes that i've bought good strong wheels (20 spokes). I'm thinking about my body angle re the drop bars and wether the fork is gonna crack under me (see the carbon set i linked above). Can you take my skill out of the equassion such that it is assumed that my skill is such that i would land the drop perfectly on a XC bike

I know some people have done cross country races on cyclocross bikes, right?

For reference i'm compact being 5'6 and 145-150 pounds depending on what my mate cooks for dinner that week. ^>.>^

Thanks

Bearcat

First, not sure I'd call 20 spoke wheels strong. Maybe 34 or 36, but not 20. I don't think you can take skill out of the equation. I've seen professional racers bunny hop barriers that I would have a hard time climbing over and if I would have tried the same thing, me and my bike would be in a heap of broken mass. Some people can take large drops (depending on what it is) on a cross bike and it not hurt a thing, but those people are quite skilled at doing so. I would never attempt this myself and would dismount each and every time.

Here is my cross bike that I have been riding for about a month now. Amazing bike, it really is.

I have my commute to work down to 23 minutes 11 seconds (did that today), which is around 8 minutes faster than my Cannondale Hybrid.

Cross bikes all the way.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/colnago/world-cup-cx-105-2009-cyclo-cross-bike-ec017302

Also remember that the geometry of the cross frame is very different from that of mtbs....so it will be less inclined to pull that front end up and drop well, imo.

Thanks folks, that pretty much answers that i think. I think a cross bike is the one for me too. Mostly what i have around here is pavements and gravel/dirt fire roads.

awesome.