1500 Price Point or under...
 

So, I've been looking at a few bikes and I'm going to go put some rubber to the road on Sunday and test ride all three. But What I want to ask you experienced crossers what you like/dislike about each of these three bikes.

Cannondale Cyclocross 5 $1499
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/c...del-9XR5C.html

Felt f35x $1599 (But I think my LBS sells for a lot cheaper)
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog...s/09-f35x.aspx

Jamis Novapro $1100
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...08novapro.html

Right now I'm sort of leaning towards the Cannondale, its made in bedford PA and I live in PA, kinda cool to support a local company. Also, I really like the style of the felt.....but any opinions are very welcomed. Thanks a ton

Also, I will be using this bike for training, on the road as well as off. I Have a commuter already and this will be my second bike. I really want to make a well informed decision.... I didn't with my first purchase and I'm not happy about it.

Oh, I'm a bit leery of going to the TREK store again to look at the Kona's but they definitely strike my interest. I Was literally talked into a Fisher Utopia and I dislike the shop now.....so yeah.....thanks again ha

I would go with the cdale

all the bikes have stupid integrated headsets (maybe they are internal, which is better, but not as good as external.) so that is a wash

The Jamis uses a sorry excuse for a rear cable stop, while I cant tell what the Felt uses, but I would guess it is not as sturdy as the Cdales rear brake mount.

BB30 seems to be where things are headed so it is nice to get that at the price point you are looking at.

I would go with the cannondale as long as it has no glaring deficiencies such as poor clearance for mud or something like that.

i love my specialized tricross bike. $1200 new.

A couple of my teamates had horrible problems with front fork shutter on the C-Dales. Not sure if it's been resolved, but they were really bumming for a while. For a value CX bike you should include Redline in your research.

Are these in stock locally?
I was looking for a 2008 Nova Pro last week. I called my local Jamis shop, they called Jamis, and they only had one left in stock (58cm). You could get an '09, but that will be more like $1300 - $1400.

Now I have a Windsor Cyclo on order from Bikes Direct (105/Ultegra $795) coming to me next week.

If I didn't go that route, I had arrangements made to get a pre-fitment for an '08 Raleigh Rx1.0. $1100, tiagra/105, and as of last week there were still a few 55 and 57 bikes left over from '08. If you get an '09, it should be around $1350.

Also check out the Fuji Cross Comp. The Fuji website lists it as $1,399, but I called my LBS and they quoted me $1100 (regular price, not even a sale price). If you have a Performance store near you, they should be even lower.

Thanks for the order
and I do think the Windsor Cyclo is easily one of the best spec'd CX bikes under $1000

I think anyone shopping true CX bikes around $1000 to $1200 should check out this bike:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/cyclo.htm

Jamis + a second wheelset.

well I am most definitely going to get a 2nd wheel set with any of the bikes I purchase. About the redlines, I was totally thinking about getting one, but I'm not sure any of my LBS's have any..... :(

Why are you limited to $1500?

many of us have budgets for certain purchases, i know that seems completely foreign to most of america:lol:

If enough people join the Pedal Force Group buy, you could build a nice carbon cyclocross bike with Rival that is a good four or five pounds lighter than any of these tanks are, for about $1,600. That Pedal Force frame also has rack and fender mounts. If you don't care about weight too much, that Bikes Direct Windsor at $795 is a great deal imo. Also, the Windsor price is low enough that you could use the savings to upgrade to a nicer wheelset later on if you were so inclined. BD's Fantom Cross Pro at $1,149 is another nice looking bike. JMO.

And thanks for your help with it.
I'm sure I'll love the bike...I just tend to be gun shy about fit and size.
I've ridden a few similar bikes, and the 56 should be right for me.

FYI - Your cyclocross front page lists the Windsor as having Tiagra/105. I didn't know it was 105/Ultegra until someone on BikeForums pointed that out. Good thing, because I just about to spend more for less bike somewhere else. It's definitely the best spec under $1000.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/cross_bikes.htm

I would suggest adding these to your list. I believe they're all around $1,500 or less but, of course, if depends on where you purchase.

Lemond Poprad (see if you can find a model from last year)
Bianchi Axis
Surly Cross Check (everybody seems to love this one on the forums)
Kona Jake the Snake (ditto)
Raleigh RX 1.0
Salsa La Cruz (I'm guessing this is around 1,500 but don't know for sure)

The Nova Pro comes with 9-speed Tiagra while the other 2 have 10-speed 105.

I'd pick the Cdale.

I got my Salsa La Cruz a couple of months ago for around $1,650 so it is a bit above your budget. I did a lot of comparison shopping on this bike and could not find it for substantially less than what I paid. As we get later in the year, you might be able to pick up an older model for less.

raleigh rx 1.0.

easton ec90x fork, bb30...

just get a new wheelset.

If I were to do it all over again, I would go for the Pedalforce group buy (although you'll have to wait a while before you get it) and buy the Windsor from Bikesdirect, then take the parts off the Pedalforce, and sell the Windsor frame. You'll have a carbon cx bike, with 105/ultegra for around $1k - not too shabby...