Multi-use Cross Purchase
 

I have a blasphemous caveat before I really get into meat of this posting -- I am looking to downsize the number of bikes that I own to two. :o

I am predominately a roadie with some history in mountain and trail riding (no cross riding).

I want to keep my main road bike, sell off my other bikes, and purchase a cross. My hope is that the cross will serve as a great all-arounder -- i.e., an alternate roadie when the main one needs to visit the LBS hospital, commuting (especially in the winter months), off-roading, etc. While I have no intentions of racing cross specifically, I do race road and, therefore, prefer to know that if I change my mind that the new cross-bike is serviceable to such ends.

Like many people, the ($$$) times are tough. Over the years, I have really caught the Ti bug and I would prefer to stay with this frame material (alas, its pricey). Is the functionality of a Ti bike advantageous over steel? (I prefer objective information and not preferences -- e.g., corrosion resistance, weight savings, ride quality/flex, etc.).

At this point I am open to any suggestions relative to particular bikes, considerations, etc. I would like to cap out this purchase in about the 2k to 2.5k range; but if I can find a nice whip for less then I am certainly open. I think that the only Ti cross in my range is something like Habanero's cross, but I know that the quality of Ti is more contingent upon the welding than simply the material...

In short, I am looking to the helpful voices of BF to for some words of wisdom.

700c, drop bar, disc brake multi use bikes (cyclocross, touring, commuting, training, racing, etc.)

trek portland - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...land/portland/

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...del-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

rocky mountain sherpa - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/TOURING/sherpa-10.aspx

kona sutra - http://www.konaworld.com/08_sutra_w.htm

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior...ilia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyc...cross_disc.php

devinci caribou2 - http://www.devinci.com/10479_an.html

raleighusa sojourn - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=427

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/200...pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

the answer to your question starts with a c. and ends with a rosscheck.

if you buy a new steel frame and use framesaver once every few years, corrosion is a non-issue. with the money you save you could get a nice rack and some panniers that your heels wont hit when you pedal.

You need to add Planet X Uncle John to your list. A great frame with disc brake mounts, fenders and rack eyelets. 135mm rear wheel spacing.

While it has disc tab mounts (I'll add it to the 700c/29" frames list), as a complete bike, none of the build kits have disc brakes and disc compatible forks. I was trying to only make a list of 700c, drop bar, disc equipped bikes that you can ride away immediately.

I just ordered a Habanero cross frame & Ritchey Carbon Comp fork on Friday. Hopefully it will arrive next week. Obviously don't have anything to say about it yet, but if you're not minutes from pulling the trigger I will have it built up and rideable.

I do see some ti cross frames on the Craigslist here from time to time, but usually in the 58 or so TT size. Too big for me. Why this one hasn't sold yet is beyond me:

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/588581835.html

^^^ That's an insane deal! Denver people, or anyone who rides a larger cx bike should jump at this.

That's my size, but way out of my price range, which is probably why it hasn't yet sold. Have faith, it will.

I'm going to second the Crosscheck. Did you know it won the Canadian Women's Nat'l 'Cross Championships a few years back? It's steel, and sure it isn't as light as Ti, but it won!

Titanium has similar dampening properties to steel at a lighter weight, and also won't corrode as easily (a non-issue, really, as said above). One thing that Ti does, as I'm sure you know, is bind. Here's a good site for you on it: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-materials.html

I think for your purposes a Crosscheck or even a Trek Portland would be awesome. A Ti bike would be overkill unless you're racing it.

I say this only because you said $$$ was tight. If it's not, then go to town. Nice thing about a Crosscheck or Portland, too, is the eyelet factor. You can get fenders and/or a rack on 'em.

BTW, do you know any frames (or framesets) that can take disc, have eyelets for rack and fenders, and can take up to 45c tires?

Clearance - most 29" mtb frames will have clearance of more than 50mm and some 700c touring/CX frames.

Eyelets - most likely in steel frames athough you can get around the lack of eyelets problem by using "p clips" on any frame.

discs - all the frames in the thread below have disc tabs but it needs updating.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368115

Gunnar Crosshairs is a great steel option. Harvest some parts from your other bikes, fill in new parts as needed. Light for steel, eyelets if you need them. Don't think there's a disc option though if that's what you're looking for.

Here is my steel, do everything cyclocross bike. Currently set up for commuting.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...mmy/tourer.jpg