Originally Posted by
jcaugie31
I am not sure where to start on selecting a bike. I want it primarily for commuting but also want a good bike for long weekend rides and even some road races and light touring. I have been looking at cyclocross bikes because of their versitility. Does anyone have any recommendations? I was almost sold on the Trek Cross rip but saw some reviews that there are better bikes for the money. Thoughts?
My understanding is that cyclocross bikes as a category are defined by large main triangles, since cyclocross requires shouldering your bike for part of the race course, narrow middle range gearing, knobby tires and cantilever or disc brakes.
Trek considers their Boone and Crockett models to be their Cyclocross bikes, while the Crossrips, despite the name, are considered their Fitness bikes, same family as their FX series.
So really, what you want is a good all around bike for commuting under $1200, not a cyclocross bike per se, right?
Phrasing it like that might avoid some confusion if people try to recommend bikes that can actually race cyclocross for you.