Cyclocross - Suggestion for entry level cyclocross bike

Its for sure, I will purchase a cyclocross bike. Want to test a few, walked in the local bike store where they sell Kona, but did not have one yet (2010). They showed me an Opus Sentiero and Rocky Mountain CXR. Dont know much about them. Any suggestions? I was thinking Kona Jake, Giant TCX2 or Devinci Tosca. My budget will be 1200-1400.

TCX is spec'ed with a sweet sweet frame....but has Tiagra components if I'm not mistaken. Honestly, I would wait to see what companies are putting on their 2011 bikes. If you can get a bike stock with Rival or Apex that would be ideal for entry level riding/racing.

Good Luck!

From what I've seen, its really hard to go wrong with any of the bikes in that price point. Personally I'm a fan of the Jake but that probably because we sell them and I own one. Aside from that, all those frames will be solid and the parts spec will be half decent, not really racing quality, but decent. You'll have plenty of room to upgrade later on down the line.

I'm looking for a cyclocross bike too, and have checked out the exact same ones. Its so hard to decide isn't it? I'm trying to find a LBS with the Opus Sequence, since i haven't seen that one up front yet. I live close to Jubilee shop, and they suggested the Jake. I'm kinda picky with the looks so its a tough choice. I tested the CCX 2 from Norco, it was a nice ride but i think having 3 cranks would be a plus. I live in Burnaby and go to school at BCIT, I plan to bike to school. Going home after class up Willingdon... Gona be fun.

Have you looked at the Cannondale Cyclocross bikes? They look pretty sweet.

I went to my LBS and they had a 09 Kona Jake going for 889. They guy told me its the exact same as the 2010 one but with different paint job. If you wanted the Jake, and didn't mind about the red paint job, you can save a bunch of money.

Later this year, i plan on getting into cyclocross. I also plan on getting a new road bike and converting my current one into a 'cross bike.

Its a lemond Wayzata. I think the frame is a reynolds 853. Its lightweight steel, so i assume it would be sturdy enough. Just wasnt sure though.

I'm the same at the moment. Thinking about the Kona Jake, but I also have an offer of a Cannondale Optimo Disc 2 secondhand for a damn good price, I just haven't seen it yet and I think the frame might be a tad on the small side. Any opinion on how much the cyclocross geometry compensates on size, specifically with this model? This bike is almost 4cm smaller in the seat tube than what I'd like in a road bike, it's 54cm and I'm more or less bang on six feet tall.

Its a lemond Wayzata. I think the frame is a reynolds 853. Its lightweight steel, so i assume it would be sturdy enough. Just wasnt sure though.

Sturdiness is rarely the problem. Tire clearance and brake style are usually the issue (and sometimes weight on older bikes and touring models). The Wayzata looks great for CX use if the tires fit with room to spare.

I'm the same at the moment. Thinking about the Kona Jake, but I also have an offer of a Cannondale Optimo Disc 2 secondhand for a damn good price, I just haven't seen it yet and I think the frame might be a tad on the small side. Any opinion on how much the cyclocross geometry compensates on size, specifically with this model? This bike is almost 4cm smaller in the seat tube than what I'd like in a road bike, it's 54cm and I'm more or less bang on six feet tall.

I'd give it a try. It's my understanding that CX bikes tend to fit a bit bigger, but also that shorter top tubes are preferred for CX racing.

For reference, I'm 5'9" and have a 52cm Kona Jake and a 54cm Surly Cross Check. The Cross Check is definitely pushing the upper end of what would fit me.

I bought my 2009 Kona Jake the Snake last spring. Love it. I think it was C$1399. I liked it for the full 10 speed 105 spec, mavic aksium wheels, and carbon forks. I put a 50T chainring on it and a selle Italia Flight Saddle on it and It's been great. Cross bikes are great for their versatility. I've ridden long road rides on 23mm conti's, mud on the the stock cross tires or snow on 38mm studded schwalbes. I've loaded up paniers or stripped everything off. 141572

I will always have a CX in the garage from now on.

Or this:

141631

IMO, you should really be hawking Ebay/CL right now as many people have just tried cross & decided it was not for them. CX season is a ways away & you can get a great deal on slightly used. If you could find a used TCX w/ Rival, it'd be a great score.

I'd look at a Bianchi San Jose. Single speed and good value for the money. I paid $700 for mine in 2007.

I'd give it a try. It's my understanding that CX bikes tend to fit a bit bigger, but also that shorter top tubes are preferred for CX racing.

For reference, I'm 5'9" and have a 52cm Kona Jake and a 54cm Surly Cross Check. The Cross Check is definitely pushing the upper end of what would fit me.

I just went through all of this and still not sure but I believe it is a correct, though not universal, statement that you should go down one size from your road bike BUT there are several issues:

1. How is the frame size quoted
2. TT length
3. BB height/drop
4. Your preferred geometry, big frame guy vs small frame guy (bike frame)

What seems to cause people to say, as I just did, to go down one size is that the higher BB seems to raise the tt stand over height and as well the top tube lengths seem longer for a given frame size. The Surly, for example, the 54cm has a tt length more what you would expect on a 56cm road bike or even a 57. I have come to the belief, perhaps wrong, that the (effective) tt length is more important than fixating on the seat tube measurements which are not universal in the way they are given or taken.

My new Surly 54 CX fits like my old Pinarello 56cm. Universal statements are useless beyond saying that if you have a bike or two with a tt length you like, that is probably your best criteria for comparison.

Moto' Fantom CX. Sorry, just had to mention it. *puts on fire retardant suit* :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2747/4234964844_fc502bc023_b.jpg

The Raleigh RX 1.0 is a $1400 Rival equipped bike with a Easton EC70 cross fork. The frame is pretty decent too, and they had a limited release of the SS version of it. I don't think there is a better value bike out there.

An Opus Sentiero is a good one. I think you should have that. It has good frames on it.

I'm kinda picky with the looks so its a tough choice.

If you race where it is wet in the fall, you will be covered in mud. So will your bike. IMO if 'looks' is anywhere in the top five of 'reasons to choose' a particular frame, 'cross racing is not for you. Buy a roadie and ride on dry streets, maybe in a parade. No one cares how your bike looks when they are passing you, nor do they care what it looks like when you are passing them.

Again, this is just my opinion.

I can't imagine using a triple crank during a cross race. Get a compact double.

Also just my opinion.

If you race where it is wet in the fall, you will be covered in mud. So will your bike. IMO if 'looks' is anywhere in the top five of 'reasons to choose' a particular frame, 'cross racing is not for you. Buy a roadie and ride on dry streets, maybe in a parade. No one cares how your bike looks when they are passing you, nor do they care what it looks like when you are passing them.

Again, this is just my opinion.

I can't imagine using a triple crank during a cross race. Get a compact double.

Also just my opinion.

Agree about the compact compared to the triple, the shifting is so much better with the compact, beyond that with a fairly large tooth big ring cassette you really don't lose much from a triple, you lose a little in the most extreme gears, but you really need to be racing up a very large hill to ever need them.

As far as look goes, unfortunately it is something you have to consider when buying a bike. People are influenced by the way things look, and really disliking the look of a bike could be what keeps you from ever really getting into the sport, because you just never establish that love for your bike. I know it seems kind of ridiculous but if looks are important to you, you really can't discount them completely, of course you can't go based on that either.

I still think the Raleigh RX 1.0 is the way to go, it has a race oriented geometry, comes stock better equipped than any bike in the price range, and comes from a company that very much supports cyclocross.