Commuting - Cyclocross bike for commuting?

I was thinking of building myself up a semi-decent cyclocross style bike for my commuter. I have found my full on Hardtail Mountain Bike is not very adept at commuting, and I live in an area where I would most certainly have to take on some road bumps and debris to get where ever I am going. :) I was thinking then that a cyclocross style bike would be a logical choice. Comments welcome!

I'm in the same situation.

I use a hardtail (and no front shocks) mtb. I put Specialized Crossroads tires (flat center tread) pumped at 80psi - slicks at even higher pressure would be better. Handlebars low/seat high for less upright riding. The whole set up weighs a heavy 32lbs (with all accessories). I still ride at 20-22mph on flats, obviously not as fast as a roadbike, but better than a mtb rigged for trail riding. I think of it as getting a better work out for my 9mi commute each way.

Point is to consider configuring mtb for road use if you don't plan to take it offroad again without change over time.

I am looking at a CX bike as this mtb I ride is old (1990) and totally worn out so I need a new bike anyway.

Al

I have a CX bike, and it is about perfect for the commute. It's got 700x28 Marathon tires, V-Brakes, and other than that it's a road bike.

Great fun.

My commute ends up with a rail-trail, about five niles of packet gravel. Great stuff!

I took a chance on one, and it really is proving to be the perfect decision. No trails or anything in my commute, but a couple stretches of pavement rough enough so that the extra toughness really eases my mind. Nice and fast, and you can put panniers on it (which I did, of course). A Jamis. Nice bike.

Roq, what model Jamis do you have? I am looking at a Satellite. Thx. Sunny

v-brakes rock.

With my Surly Cross Check I've now got the speed and durability that I want for commuting. Most of my ride is on a well-kept, paved trail, but I ride on city streets and will use this bike for on/off road touring too. I estimate that, with my road components (Ultegra, 700x28 tires, improved geometry over my previous commuter-a mtb) I'm probably a good 10 to 20% more efficient. It's a fast commuter that feels just about as tough as my old hardtail mountain bike.

I have a Gunnar Cross Hairs that is fully decked out with XT and an old Scott AT4 wrap around bar, gives me alot of positions and a good view of traffice while I navigate the back strees of Philly. The 700x28 tires on good solid rims, no spoke problems as of yet. The ride is both trail, bike path and city streets. Much better than the MTB.....but on occasion i do ride one.

A cyclocross commuter can make a lot of sense. If you're interested in using a rack and panniers there are quite a few cross frames out there that allow this, though typically not the race oriented cross bikes. I've been using a Surly Cross-Check for the past couple of months and have found it to be fantastic. It has all the mounting holes for rack and fenders, and the steel frame gives a great ride on the bumpy stuff. I'm using 700x28 road tires for the summer, and will switch to 700x32 knobbies for the winter.

The only part I don't like are the cantilever brakes (which most cross bikes will have), though with a lot of fiddling I do seem to be getting better performance out of them these days. Maybe one of these days I'll try some mini V brakes on it...

With my Surly Cross Check I've now got the speed and durability that I want for commuting. Most of my ride is on a well-kept, paved trail, but I ride on city streets and will use this bike for on/off road touring too. I estimate that, with my road components (Ultegra, 700x28 tires, improved geometry over my previous commuter-a mtb) I'm probably a good 10 to 20% more efficient. It's a fast commuter that feels just about as tough as my old hardtail mountain bike.

I, too, love my Cross-Check for commuting, but if I were buying today, I'd take a close look at Surly's Long Haul Trucker. I think the slightly higher wheel base might make it a better commuter. It only recently came out, so I've never seen one. The frame & fork cost only $10 more than the Cross-Check, so it's in the same price range.

http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html

I want disc brakes on mine. I have them on my Marin and I LOVE them. Hell, I lust them! Best thing since sliced bread, imo. ;) I don't really care about taking stuff on my bike, as I have a nice pack to carry things.

My primary commuter started life as a Schwinn Voyageur touring bike. I have tweaked it to pretty much a cyclocross configuration. I am running Specialized Infinity Armadillo tires - 32mm front, 35mm rear - that will take me through soft ground after a rain when necessary. These tires provide low rolling resistance due to the tread configuration while giving a softer ride, even at 100 psi.

Bawh, I have found what I want. The Marin Highway One. http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_highwayone.html
tell me what you think! :)

Highway One looks like a fast bike.

I say you buy one for me. :D

Bawh, I have found what I want. The Marin Highway One. http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_highwayone.html
tell me what you think! :)

I don't think it would be a good commuter. It doesn't have drop bars. I can't tell if you could add a fender. It couldn't handle a rack and saddle bags. The small number of spokes would mean you're stuck if even one breaks.

Hmm; Well, I would actually probably swap the wheels out. And actually, I just got off the phone with Marin and they suggested me getting one of their road bikes made of cromoly. In fact, they are lighter than the Highway one! And a bit more beefier.

Roq, what model Jamis do you have? I am looking at a Satellite. Thx. Sunny

I have a Nova:

http://www.slammingrooves.com/images/bike2a.jpg

Since this picture was taken, I've added fenders and panniers. Again, the perfect bike for my situation.

I like RainmanP have a bike that started life as a touring bike (Giant Excursion) and became a commuter at my hand. The touring bike has many advantages for this. Mine came with front and rear pannier racks, fenders, and a nice relaxed geometry. I bought it used and it needed a little attention, I've since changed the bar to a "stoker" bar with bar end shifters in the ends, road brake levers with tektro mini-V brakes. I removed the front rack and replaced the wheels with Mavic Speed Cities--to take the abuse of commuting. I run 700x37 tires for a cushy ride. When this frame dies, I will move the parts to a Surly Cross Check frame. This configuration has proven to be a trouble free and comfortable commuter bike for me.

What type of commute are you going to do? How far, hilly/flat, road/off road, city/country, how much load? Without knowing more of a detail, the safest bet is steel touring bike (even an older one), IMHO. Road bike would be most likely second choice, but maybe hard if you need panniers or bigger tires, XC may also have problem if you need to add panniers, but either one can do, depending on your specific situation.

What type of commute are you going to do? How far, hilly/flat, road/off road, city/country, how much load? Without knowing more of a detail, the safest bet is steel touring bike (even an older one), IMHO. Road bike would be most likely second choice, but maybe hard if you need panniers or bigger tires, XC may also have problem if you need to add panniers, but either one can do, depending on your specific situation.


XC = cyclocross, right (sorry, I'm new to some of the terminology)? My cyclocross bike came from the manufacturer with mounts for front and rear racks.

Cool, you all all set then, congratulations!