rjs0702

I have just recently learned about CX and want to get into it pretty badly, so I asked for a CX bike for christmas. Any suggestions on which bikes to get? I'm starting to do reviews of bikes and I want reviews from people up here who have experience and ride the bikes.

threeflys

that's a BIG can of worms....

Some likely suggestions would be Surly Crosscheck, Salsa La Cruz or Chille Con Crosso, Kona Jake series, Giant TCX series, Redline Conquest series, Jamis Super Nova,....

It depends on what price range you are in and if it will be race only or other duties also, complete bike or F/F?

icolquhoun

do your first few races on a mtb (if you already have one) that way if you're not into it, you didn't just get a new bike that will see little use.
even though cross bikes are the most versatile of all bikes, it would save whomever is buying it for your a considerable amount of coin.

rjs0702

I was just wondering because the majority of the bikes I see online are all the same. I don't know much about them yet. The bike will be for racing though, not anything else unless I train on it or something. As far as a mountainbike goes, I don't have one.

adamt

if it is for racing. don't get a cross check.

The Kona JTS frameset is a good intro bike - it is what I ride. If you want to spend a little more $400 vs $600 for the frame) then take a look at the Van Dessel Hole Shot. Great frame.

I decided on the $400 frame so I could put the extra $ into wheels (actually just bought a second set of cxp-22 wheels). I know A racers that could beat me on a 12 year old's Huffy...so I know it is not the frame that is keeping me in the rear of the race...

{edit}
after reading Flargle's post below I wanted to add - the other reason I went with the JTS was my neighborhood LBS is run by a local A cx racer sponsored by Kona (Erik Tonkin - sellwood cycle). The mechanic that put my rig together is also an A. Having them do the work inspired a lot of confidence..

flargle

Go to the local bike shop that you consider the most helpful and knowledgeable, and get a bike through them. If it's a good shop, they'll get you on a correctly-sized and well-built bike, which IMO is way more important than choosing a specific brand of bike. Be honest about your budget and what you want from the bike.

You might end up paying a bit more than if you went through an online dealer, but building a relationship with a good local shop can pay dividends down the road, not just in the theoretical sense of "building a cycling community", but in tangible ways like getting a better fitting bike, more helpful service, inside knowledge about the cycling scene, etc.

In a broader vision, it's very difficult to duplicate what a good brick and mortar bike shop can bring to a cycling community. Saving a little bit of dough by going online can end up being penny-wise, pound-foolish.

rgc

I agree with the reasons to shop B&M over the net. That said, I too am looking for a cross bike, however, one a little more for an all around bike and less for racing. Local stores sell Felt, Bianchi and Schwinn. Bianchi (San Jose, I know SS but there is something about it I really like) and Felt would have to be special order and most likely at MSRP. The Schwinn dealer is itching to make me a good deal on last years Fastback CX (already listed around $800).

Not to hijack, but well I guess I am, any comments on the above bikes for enty cross and general fun?

rjs0702

my lbs doesnt sell CX bikes, I worked there and never even heard of them. so its gonna have to be online.

flargle

They can order a cross bike for the brands they sell. You can choose frame size based on their existing stock of road bikes (or some fitting system), then they can fine-tune (i.e. stem length, etc) once the bike has arrived. If this is not the case, you are in the wrong bike shop.

What brands do they carry?

flargle

Bianchi San Jose is a great, versatile, sturdy bike. I believe (you should check) the stock rear wheel is flip-flop, which would be great for switching between fixed and free. Volpe is essentially the same bike but with gears. Neither bike is the lightest in the world, but IMO it's a very fair tradeoff in the weight/price/durability equation.

If you wanted to upgrade in, say, a year or two, wheel and/or fork would give you best bang-for-buck and a significantly lighter bike.

Some very fast riders race cyclocross on San Joses.

adamt

if they carry bianchi - I bet they could stock the axis. That is a pretty nice cx ride....

rgc

Thanks guys, yes, the Bianchi dealer (owner of the store is the guy there almost all the time) seems like a great person. I have been leaning toward the Bianchi as I like him and his store . . . granted it looks like the price for a 09 San Jose would be $850. That said, at least I could pick the colour .

Forgot to mention I am trying to keep this under the grand mark. The main Felt I was looking at was the new Breed (SS CX). The Fastback CX really came into the equation as I could test ride the actual bike and it would end up being the cheapest.

threeflys

I don't think the fastback would be a bad intro bike, especially if it's substantially cheaper than the others...

hornytoad

i recently purchased an '08 san jose for $570 thru www shopping

unfortunately, i have limited and poor quality options in regards to lbs's