Cyclocross - One Bike for year round cycling

Howdy
I just bought a Specialized Robaix sl-3 for summer riding and was going to keep my Kona Super Dew Hybrid for winter. But...I can't go back to the Dew after riding a speed ball all summer. I was thinking of replacing both with a high end Cyclocross. Will a good light cyclocross perform as well as the Specialized Robaix. Assuming the engine (me) is up to it.
I live on Vancouver Island so winter=rain and road grit, not snow
Thanks
Also any ideas on a super light weight Cyclocross

I think that, within a year, multiple companies will be coming out with disc-braked carbon monocoque cyclocross bikes with 135mm rear spacing. IMO this will be worth waiting for, because if you get a rim brake bike now, you'll probably regret it when you see these disc-brake bikes come to market.

What tires are you using on the Super Dew? That's not that heavy of a bike, is it?

Ironically, I've been using a CX bike as a road bike all summer, and I've been thinking about getting a Roubaix. Not that a CX bike isn't able to serve as a road bike, but it's not optimized for that.

Just get some 700x28 for the Roubaix, some better brake pads, and call it a day.

Then in the spring, give it a well deserved cleaning and regrease everything.

Just get some 700x28 for the Roubaix, some better brake pads, and call it a day. Then in the spring, give it a well deserved cleaning and regrease everything.This, in addition to what I wrote before. I think you can even fit some fenders under the Roubaix?

I just picked up a 2003 Kona Jake the Snake to use as a winter/rain bike. Took it out for a maiden ride and ran the first 7 miles shadowing a "real" roadie that was working hard to drop me. Wound up doing the 30 mile ride at an average pace of 18.5 mph. That's close enough to my 19-20 mph avg on my road bikes. I also have 3 road bikes to include a 2011 Trek Madone 5.9 yet find the CX bike to be pretty much just as good of a ride. In fact, my main back-up has been a sweet 2000 LeMond Zurich and as well as the Kona works I see no reason to keep the LeMond. So, in my opinion as good CX bike can serve pretty will for most riding purposes. In fact, it can be liberating to be able to run at speed on the roads yet not have to worry about potholes and such. Then on the same ride you can blast down some dirt roads, take off across a field, and even hop some curbs. So fun!

I just picked up a 2003 Kona Jake the Snake to use as a winter/rain bike. Took it out for a maiden ride and ran the first 7 miles shadowing a "real" roadie that was working hard to drop me. Wound up doing the 30 mile ride at an average pace of 18.5 mph.

Just wondering, did you achieve those speeds with the stock knobby tires?

Just wondering, did you achieve those speeds with the stock knobby tires?

Right now it has some Bontrager 700 x 30C knobby tires on it. Don't think these were the stock ones though. Stock wheels with a big heavy MB hub upfront. But yeah this is the setup I was using at those speeds. Did another 27 mile ride the next day at a 18.3 mph average. I ride solo and both days were a fair bit windy. Did not ride all out either day as my HR was in Zone 3 for most of both rides.

I really see no reason why I couldn't put a spare set of wheels with 700 x 23/25 tires and run as normal with any of my road bikes. What limits me a bit is the gearing and I'm sure on climbs it will be worse than my CF with it's compact double or my Circuit with it's triple. I found the 48/39 crank with 12-25 cassette makes it a bit harder for me to find a gear/cadence combo I like compared to my normal setup and that is the one thing I want to change on this bike.

Sorry for not getting back sooner, and thanks for all the info!
What I ended up doing was going with Pharph and am riding my Ruby right through. I have put on some "Armadilo" type tires and trying to maintain discipline on daily cleaning. Discipline is not one of my strong points but the bike provides a powerful incentive to keep up the scrubbin.
Rode today for 70 miles in some good owly West Coast rain and road muck. Wiped and oiled the chain half way with wet lube and it went well.
I ride everyday, other than in stick around snow, (teeth are nice) so I will keep you updated as to how it goes. Also mounted clip on fenderrs and other than the fact that they are fenders, they are doing the job.
Thanks Again

Also I think I will start a new thread for year round Race Bike riders.
Oiling and cleaning tips would sure be good to share.
Cloths are also a major one.
Thanks Again
Mike

I use a carbon fiber road bike on dry roads and a steel frame Cyclocross bike on damp roads and during the winter months.

The Cyclocross bike is about only about 1 mph slower than the road bike when used on a 50 mile solo fitness ride, but the road bike has better performance above 20 mph and does better during faster group rides. I also find the road bike to be less fatiguing during century rides.

The Cyclocross bike allows 700x38 tires and fenders. I'll use 700x35 studded tires in the winter when ice is a risk and 700x32 touring tires in milder weather and for summer trail riding.

If I had to use one bike to do-it-all, it would be a carbon fiber Cyclocross bike, using a frame like this: http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=21005&osCsid=15142b680416be7e4242adcf3c45f262

Having two bikes is a better solution, however. It's nice to have one road bike for faster good-weather rides, and one Cyclocross bike for everything else.

Howdy
I just bought a Specialized Robaix sl-3 for summer riding and was going to keep my Kona Super Dew Hybrid for winter. But...I can't go back to the Dew after riding a speed ball all summer. I was thinking of replacing both with a high end Cyclocross. Will a good light cyclocross perform as well as the Specialized Robaix. Assuming the engine (me) is up to it.
I live on Vancouver Island so winter=rain and road grit, not snow
Thanks
Also any ideas on a super light weight Cyclocross

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2310/crossbike007ab.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/269/crossbike007ab.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Weighs in at 14.1 lbs. A simple switch of the tires and you go from ultra lightweight cross bike to awsome road bike. Its for sale too !!

I think that, within a year, multiple companies will be coming out with disc-braked carbon monocoque cyclocross bikes with 135mm rear spacing. IMO this will be worth waiting for, because if you get a rim brake bike now, you'll probably regret it when you see these disc-brake bikes come to market.

This is what I'm waiting for. Clearance for up to, say, 38mm tires, 'cross cable routing, lightweight, disc brakes, rack/fender mounts, and perhaps a wider gearing ratio on the stock components. 50/34 instead of 46/36 cranks. Doesn't even have to be carbon (titanium would work too).

Things have changed with the disc brake cyclosporine. Now I'm looking for the lightest one 16 lbs with disc brakes w/b awesome. I tried riding the Robaix, but it kills them. At best it kills me when I look down and see all the muck. Like riding a Porche on a unpved bush road. Just not right
any ideas, comments

On-One Dirty Disco looks awfully good, especially for the price, and last I checked they've got plenty of sizes in stock ready to ship. There are lighter framesets out there but by grams not pounds. You could argue minor details (160mm rotors instead of 140mm, external cable routing, blah blah) but dang it looks good.

Pedal Force CX2

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09251.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09261.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09271-2.jpg

It has a Shimano/Velocity A23 wheelset with 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper tires

Bat Bike.
Looks class. What crank are you going with?
Pedal Force CX2

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09251.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09261.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_09271-2.jpg

It has a Shimano/Velocity A23 wheelset with 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper tires

Doing lots of searching for my year round and high speed torer
I think I am going Cyclocross with discs, and D1 shifters The lightest so far is The Moots RSL that came out at 16.1 lbs custom built..I'm sold..but 9k. So maybe not. Still searching but might do the Moot. Congressional approval (Aka Wife) may prove difficult however. But disc brakes...it's a SAFETY thing right?Anyone have

What tires are you using on the Super Dew? That's not that heavy of a bike, is it?

Ironically, I've been using a CX bike as a road bike all summer, and I've been thinking about getting a Roubaix. Not that a CX bike isn't able to serve as a road bike, but it's not optimized for that.
+1
I transitioned into CX from MTB, & never looked back.
My "Tank"/Opus has Disc brakes, & My Kona JTS has mini V's. I rode my "Tank" most of this year until I got my road bike built up.
I still find myself going back to the old "Tank", she serves me well even though she my heaviest girl. I love the compact 50/34 on her, & find I climb best on her. She's not as sleek, & sexy as my Defy, but she "takes a licking, & keeps on ticking"!
My JTS is my "Dirty Girl", she gets down, & dirty with me in the mud,gravel,trails.

Update on All Season Bikes

Winter is sneaking up shortly (brilliant Holmes) So it was decision time

My Robaix was hooped after only a few months of West Coast road muck. Two chains, one cassette, the derailleur is a maybe, and probably at least eight sets of brake pads. And, almost forgot, or blocked it out, one wheel. That is after givin it a good scrubbing after each ride
So being person I am, I took that as kind of a hint.

I looked around all summer and decided to get a locally made T bike, the Everti Odessy. With Reds and some tubeless wheels it is speced at under 16 lbs. fender able and rackable, and most importantly its got Disc's.

I also do overseas riding in some pretty rough areas, so a proper rack mount is one less thing to worry about. Then you have more time to concentrate on more pleasent things like being hit by a bus, or Banditos.

Sure appreciate your help and I will keep you updated on my experiences as to how it shapes up.

Mike

I was thinking of replacing both with a high end Cyclocross


Nice that you never have to worry about having your one bicycle stolen
to end up with N=0

That is a beautiful bike. Let us know how it works out for you.