Originally Posted by
Dean V
It seems to me you are trying to do 2 things at once. Decide on a new bike and figure out your bike fit. I don't see that as the best way of doing it.
I would get your fit sorted with the TCX and then look for the new bike.
Hmm, maybe you're right! I have a couple of different stems arriving for the TCX this week (a 105mm 30 degree riser, and a 120mm 8 degree), which I will be trying. I need to determine whether my discomfort is due to being too low, or not stretched out enough.
My gut feeling is it's probably a bit of both. The more I ride the TCX, the more I feel that I wish it were "just a big larger". Ultimately, if I can't make it comfortable for me, then I'm never going to be happy with it.
My bike fit was useful, even though the fitter didn't recommended changing stems (he possibly didn't have any of the weird Giant 1-1/4" steerer tube stems to try). Getting a proper set of body measurements and correct saddle height was worth the moderate expense.
I don't think I'll be jumping for a new bike until I've decided the TCX is not going to work for me. In any case, I've found that I haven't had the opportunity to ride on any off-road trails with it and 99.5% of my riding has been on pavement, so the cyclocross bike probably isn't the best type of bike for what I'm doing.