jphebert

Hey everybody,

Hoping that some folks can enlighten me for my next bike. Am no pro or heavy rider but do value gear so any advice/wisdom will be greatly appreciated. First I'm early 40's, so my crazy years are behind me. I mostly do road with some gravel/hard dirt (man-made paths) because where we live there are awesome nature paths. We also do this 3-day ride almost every year and getting into this as well as a family but when alone I like a bit more speed/bite.

Right now I have a 12-year old Specialized Sirrus which served me well, time for an upgrade, so am looking at cyclocross models based on online research and store recommendations from 3 shops based on my needs/preferences.

So we're down to selecting the bike, budget in the $1200 +/- $200 range. I'm looking at the Giant Revolt 1, Trek Crossrip Elite and the Cannondale CAADX Sora, but nothing from specialized as they don't have anything in my price bracket.

My initial questions / interrogations:

• Should I stay away from any of these brands? Giant seems to be less favored by the pros in some stores as they claim that design-wise the others do a better job. We have a few Giants and for our modest needs never had issues. Got a lukewarm nod for Cannondale but Trek seems to be king of the brands.
• For the parts, the store guys all told me to stay away from Shimano Claris drivetrains, saying that the extra $s are worth it - any throuth to that?
• Disk or rim brakes? Does it really matter? I suppose so but thought I'd ask

To my lamen's eyes, all 3 bikes seems pretty much in the same ballpark so my selection criteria so far are price & distance to the shop.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Noonievut

I wouldn't rush into it...

When you say you're down to those three models, have you already looked at bikes from Surly, Salsa, Marinoni...like the Fango model (if you're in Quebec), others? And what about close-outs on previous years' models so that you can stretch your dollars? I own 4 bikes, have had others, and have never paid full price (and I'm not a hagler, they are just on sale so often).

I think Sminano Sora is not adequate if spending $1,200-$1,400 (I got Ultegra on a road bike for $1,400).

Seems like you're the type who will have this bike for a long time, and enjoy the heck out of it, so like I started with...take your time and make the right decision (bike, size, shop, etc.).

Best of luck!

jphebert

Thanks - have not looked at these brands as I went to the closest dealer to me (Montreal West Island) and looked at what they carry. Will look at these brands as well - thanks! Forgot Marinoni

jphebert

Snooped around - problem with Surly & Salsa no dealer close to me, Marinoni out of my budget. Out of curiosity what do you ride with the Ultegra for $1400? Seems like a very good price/point.

unterhausen

going back to your original post, Giant makes a lot of bikes for a lot of different brands. So anyone that badmouths them has an agenda. They are solid bikes

fietsbob

Surly and Salsa are brands of QBP , any bike dealer with a QBP account can order the bikes , But.

they , the dealer has to pay the account in 30 days .. and so may not be there because the customers dont ask .



out here the other companies , like Trek , have a longer rotating Credit plan for dealers

so they sell the bikes and pay for them out of the sales Margin .

It's a Business Management choice..



Ultegra spec too pricy ? look down the component groups 105 or less .. they work too..

yes Giant now sells bikes under their own Brand as well as be a contract manufacturer of other brands

Just a dealer has to have the Account with the National distribution hub for Giant.

jphebert

Badmouth would be too harsh, the claim is that Giant's OEM customers' bike have better design/engineering.

WestPablo

Checkout the Surly Cross-Check!

Otherwise, just get a great frame and build it anyway you wanna:

Cyclo-Cross & Touring Frames

Noonievut

It's an older Giant aluminum fame road bike...was regular priced $1,750. About deals, La Bicicletta in Toronto has a Focus Mares cross bike for $999 and it has 105 (size S, M only). I know you live in Montreal, but this is just to say their are deals out there. Another example, the Jamis website (forgot the address) where they sell older models (though is again in Toronto).

xjustice09x

Assuming prices are the same in Canada as they are in the US you should be able to find cyclocross bikes with 105 components near your price range. When I was shopping earlier this year the trek crockett, and cannondale caad x 105 were right around $1500 for the disc brake models. In a few months many shops will start discounting this year models to make room for next years bikes. So you may be able to afford bikes with 105 or ultegra if you can afford to wait.

I was seriously considering disc brakes. If you live in an area with lots of rain, or harsh winters disc brakes would probably be a worthwhile investment. The few times I took my cross bike on dirt trails my hands were getting tired on long descents because the cantilevers don't have the same power that the brakes on my road and mountain bikes have. Discs would have been nice for those rides. Most of the miles on my cyclocross bike are from commuting to work on paved roads so I can get by with cantilevers, although I am considering swapping them out for mini V brakes soon.

Giant is one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world. They make good bikes.

To me the most important aspect of any bike is the fit. If it doesnt fit right I won't buy it regardless of the price. Go test ride as many bikes as you can and find out what feels the best to you.

Andy_K 

Carl Decker won the Cross Crusade series here last year on a Giant. Sponsorship made the decision for him, but the bike certainly didn't hold him back.

For your budget you can get at least Tiagra components. Check out the Jamis Nova Race or the Kona Jake if you have a local dealer that carries them.

jphebert

Based on reviews found online (and I assume they're somewhat biased) & dealer (they'll do the fitting the right way plus they're close by) I'm leaning towards the Revolt 1 from Giant.

linus

This is incorrect. In Canada, Surly has a separate distributor and can't be ordered through QBP.

jphebert

Thanks - looking at this stuff - interesting way of finding deals

fietsbob

Quote:

In Canada, Surly has a separate distributor and can't be ordered through QBP.

wondered how the lawyers sorted that out ?,since they are all the same in the US parent company. you have documentation of that ?

bres dad

Just my opinion but I'd be concerned about the gearing on the CAADX. My cross had a 12-26 rear & 50/36 crank. I found that off road I would always be running on the lowest gear combo and still would need something lower. That's on single track, minimal to moderate climb. I've since changed to a 46/34 up front and experimenting what I can get away with on the rear (might be able to do a 30, but just put a 12-28 on the rear and will try it out tomorrow.

BluesDawg

What about this?
Specialized Bicycle Components
or this?
Specialized Bicycle Components
or this?
Specialized Bicycle Components

jphebert

These bikes fit right into what I'm looking for alas my local Specialized dealer told me that they're not available, no stock.

BluesDawg

What size are you needing? I see some sizes of all three of these bikes showing in stock. Availability fluctuates and varies by size. Might be worth checking again. Also, the shop should be able to tell you when one is expected to be available.

jphebert

Am not sure for size (yet) - indeed might be worth looking into it. My instinct now tells me he wanted to do get rid of his 2 "private sale" units first..