habals

Hi,

Thanks for great opinions on my earlier postings.
I'm looking for a commuter bike (12.5miles each).
The route is mix of roads, bike trails, unpaved bike trails (1miles).

I narrowed down my choice to
Cannondale Cyclocross 5 ($1400 at LBS),
and Cross Check (~$1000 at LBS).

I picked these because both models have eyelets for rear rack & full size fender.

I can see lots of good reviews on the Cross check,
(I can't find any reviews for Cyclocross 5. Maybe the keyword is too generic)
there are a couple of things I can't figure out. (I'm a 100% pure noob)
First, I do not like the bar end shifter.
How much will it cost to convert the shifter on CC?

Second, are CC's default tires good for unpaved trails?
I see that Cyclocross 5 has 35 tire with deeper tread, which I think will be better for my route.
How easy (and cost) it is to convert the CC's tire with cyclocross tires?

Also are aluminum frames not durable enough for commuting?

Thanks in advance!

Bander

Maybe try this bike? Similar to the CC but with indexed shifters instead of bar ends. My LBS is currently selling this on discount below MSRP.
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...09_aurora.html

habals

FYI, The unpaved route is near Wakefield Park and going inside the beltway.

habals

Thanks for your suggestion, but it seems no dealer nearby my place.

patrickgh

May I recommend the Specialized Tricross Sport? It'll cost you about $1200, and provide you with a solid/fun ride with options for fenders/racks (it's the ONLY carbon forked bike I saw with front rack mounts!).

I've recently started commuting to work on some dodgy roads, and so far I've had zero complains. I have a massive gear range, which helps a LOT on my huge uphill hike back home. The tires that come with it are pretty smooth for the road, and ride nice offroad as well. I have yet to attach any fenders/racks, but all the bosses are there.

My only complaint - the stock saddle is a tad narrow for me, and has caused a wee bit of butt-bone pain. However, the cutout in the middle works wonders.

I'd say give it a test ride if your LBS sells Specialized bikes

Yan 

I'll address each of your concerns in order:

*Both bikes will suit your riding conditions
*In terms of racks, the cannondale's carbon forks will not accomodate front racks. If you plan on touring in the future, get the Cross Check
*Cannondale's aluminum frames are some of the most well made I've ever seen in that material. They are better made than the Cross Check frames by far. Aluminum frames are no less durable than steel, and also do not rust.
*It'll cost about $300 to switch to STI shifters, so if you prefer them over bar ends, get the Cannondale.
*I would not buy a bike based on the tires it comes with. In terms of frame clearance, the Surly accomodates larger tires than the Cannondale. This is a consideration if you want to run very wide tires with fenders, although I wouldn't be worried about it in your case.

Summary: I recommend the Cannondale for you.

I personally own a Cross Check because my bike has been built as a fixed gear, winter commuter, and tourer, so I needed the Cross Check's horizontal dropouts, extra tire clearance, and steel fork, respectively for the setups stated.

martianone

IMHO - the CrossCheck is a more comfortable ride and if you are serious about commuting, it will fit fenders more easily. Don't let the stock tires drive your decision. I'd go with the ride that fits me
best, felt better on the road and more flexible for potential needs.

bugly64

Are rack mounts on a carbon forks are a good idea? You could just get the Lht forks (700c) on Ebay for you CC for $60.

habals

Ok. I got a good deal on several stores.
REI sells
2010 Cannondale Cyclocross 5 *Triple* @ $1250 (after 10% rebate)
2010 Surly Cross Check @ $945 (after 10% rebate)
and other LBS
2009 Specialized Tricross Sports Triple @ $1199

Cross Check
+Light-weight frame for a steel frame
+Good price
+Comfortable Ride
* I think I can get used to bar-end shifters
- Brake level is too far out. not comfortable to hold it
- I can add granny gear, but still other gear is like 48/36 (as opposed to 50/39 on others)

Tricross Triple
+ Lighter than the Cross Check.
+ Convenient B-lever (is it?)
+ Triple in stock
- Same component group with Cross check but +$250 for the frame and etc.

Cyclocross 5
+ It is 105!
+ Nice frame & tire & rim
+ only +$50 Tricross
- not CAAD9 BB30 frame this year
- no B-levers this year
- $300 more than Cross check.

Ah.. it is quite a big $$$ to invest, and making final decision is really difficult.
Should I throw the money and rescue the economy?
Or get a cross check and save my family?

Which one should I choose?
Any more advice & wisdom & ...?

Sentinel04

As someone who is in your situation, I am leaning Cross Check. Honestly, the personal reviews and feedback have really sold me on the bike. That's not to say you'd be making a mistake with the others obviously.

Hey, let me ask, how do you plan on locking up your bike (man I sound shadey asking this! LOL)? I work in Arlington and will have to lock it up in our covered parking garage and was curious what others are doing in the same area.

habals

I can leave my bike at my office.

stevage

Well, we've all heard so many amazing things about the Cannondale.

Wait.

No, we haven't. Get one of the others.

Btw, my technique for finding opinions on stuff, google "my cannondale cyclocross".

SSP

I've heard that the semi-vertical dropouts on the Cross Check make rear wheel changes more of a hassle than standard, vertical dropouts.

habals

Yeah. There are lots of good reviews for Crosscheck. Not as much as crosscheck, but there are plenty of good opinions for Tricross, too.
But my understanding is that Crosscheck is good for customization.
Most of the people seem to mod crosscheck in many different ways.
I haven't seen any review for a stock user.
I'm not intended to (at least for now) upgrade or mod components.
Tricross is also good in stock, and actually I really liked it they way it fits me
but only <$100 difference with similar geometry Cyclocross 5 w/105 components.

I think I should just get whatever can be delivered faster

dwr1961

Habals,

Have you ridden each bike? That is by far the most important thing you can do in choosing between two (or three) bikes. Components can be swapped or upgraded over time; geometry, ride and handling are less easily fixed. Please - Ride, then choose.

habals

Yes. Of course I test ride all of them several times. Tricross & Cyclocross 5 was similar, and more comfortable than Crosscheck. Not that crosscheck sucked, but just less comfortable than the others.

truman

With fat cross tires, the Cannondale will ride as smooth as any of the steel bikes, and Cannondale frames are plenty durable for commuting. Cyclocross riding is much harder on a frame than commuting. I've seen a lot more broken Specialized frames than I have seen broken Cannondale frames.

If you prefer STI shifters over bar ends, there's no reason not to buy the C'Dale. 105 component are a good deal at that price.

Just pick the one that you like to ride the best.