bkpker

Ok, so its almost tax time, and for this poor, just married college student, its probably one of the few times during the year when i will have any excess cash. Im currently riding a Trek 1200 aluminum frame and fork with bontrager racelites and full tiagra. Im really wanting to get into some kind of carbon bike, but most of the usage this will get will be commuting. However, i would also want to use it for faster group rides during the week. Another however, i also need to be able to ride a couple of miles of gravel/dirt on my commute every day. So, im thinking some kind of cyclocross bike. What i would really like to do is get a new frame and fork and move most of my components over to that frame. Im really wanting a lighter carbon frame, i looked at a surly cross check, but im not sure about the steel.

I was looking at the commuter bike picture thread and got some ideas. I think i would purchase the nashbar cross fork because its carbon, and it has the option of either v brakes or disks (disks would be nice for nasty weather). But my main question is the frame. Is there an affordable all carbon, or mostly carbon cyclocross frame out there?

mark9950

Keep what you got until it falls apart.

gbcb

I'm not an expert on carbon cyclocross frames, but I can't imagine them being cheap. For a cross bike, the Cross-Check frame is well-liked around here — the lack of carbon isn't going to hold you back for the uses you describe.

That said, what you have sounds like it would be great for commuting and group rides. As for gravel and dirt, it might make sense to see if you have enough clearance on your current frame to run knobbies.

bkpker

Thanks guys, i may just upgrade my current bike a little bit.

ItsJustMe

Fix up your withholdings so you're not giving the government an interest-free loan all year. Big tax refund == you lose.

That said, I don't think you can go wrong with a cross bike.

toddvc

I would reconsider any commitment to carbon for a commuting/group-rides bike. Aluminum and steel are both quite adequate, and most likely much cheaper.

How long is your commute? It sound like your current setup serves your needs pretty well ...