Posted a similar question over on the cyclocross forum, hope i dont get in trouble for cross posting.
I recently decided to upgrade my hybrid to a sport touring bike. So i ordered a Marinoni Ciclo.
Then i decided one day to try comuting to work. well guess what, i love commuting to work. So my focus for cycling has just done a 180. (see my post titled "Dumb Cyclist" to see how i got suckered into commuting)
I was doing 2 hours ride a night after work. Which is why i wanted a sport touring. Its as fast, snooth and comfy a bike i can think of and still take fenders and a pannier. I wont be racing, just fitness, leisure, enjoyment.
They have not started on my frame yet so i can change it to their cross frame if i wish.
So theirs my big dilema. Do i stay with the sport tour or switch to the cross. I wont be touring, i wont be x racing. I will be doing 50k a day commute, 5 days a week, year round. Vancouver weather means i just need rain gear I would also be doing a few weekend centuries in the summer, and occasional group rides.
So my priorities in order would be
-50k daily commute round trip, with 1500-2000 ft hills total each leg
-group rides
-centuries
What differences would i be seeing ? Both are steel frames with carbon fork, and i would be getting a veloce group. Both can have disk brakes mounted, along with a rear rack and fenders. Would the sport tour be more comfy on the century and faster on the group rides?
Or would both be fine, with the cross able to turn faster in the urban nightmare of traffic and easier bunny hopping of all the small smart cars?
Anyone use their cross on centuries and group rides and notice much of a slow down compared to a regular road bike?
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/2005/05_en_ciclo.asp
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/2005/05_en_fango.asp
http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/2005/05_en_geometrie.asp here is the geometry differences.
Sorry for asking whats most likely been asked a bazillion times. But spending a couple grand on a bike is a lot for me, i just want to make sure i make the best purchase.