Speaking about commuting on cross bikes here’s my cross-check fresh from my ride in this morning. It is the Cross-Check Complete Stock build . The thing is bomb proof it makes a great commuter. The only thing I think I am going to switch out are the brakes the tektro’s suck big time other then that this bike rocks

Hey if you switch brakes I reccomend getting some XT's or XTR's or even LX cantis off of ebay. I had tektros on my touring bike but swapped em for some NOS XT's. They really work well and did not cost that much, I would even say that they stop as well as the XTR vbrakes on my mtb.

You should give the Bianchi Castro Valley a consideration too.
https://www.bianchiusa.com/607.html

Or if you get true CX bike, make sure you switch out the knobbies if your commute is mostly on pavement. Jamis Nova, Redline Conquest, Kona Jake, Bianchi Volpe, and K2 Enemy are all decent "entry-level" CX bikes.

Using cx bike as a commuter proved its worth yesterday. I had an errand after work, and I took a route I haven't used in a while, which, because of construction and flooding, had me riding on pavement, rutted and muddy construction roads, river rocks, hopping curbs, and then back to pavement. The bike handled like a sturdy, responsive road bike on pavement, and churned over the mud, curbs and rocks like a mountain bike. What a blast! And all because I opted to bike to a dentist appointment!

I think the Poprads were considered "low end", but the new models might be jazzed up a bit.

2001 - good condition I'm guessing, depends what is was stocked with but probably $400-500 or so would be fair.

I'm settling on the idea of a CX bike as my commuter (swapping the knobbies out for street tires), and had a question about fenders/racks. My commute is a long one (43RT), and is mostly nice road and MUP, but there are a couple sections where I have to cross fairly rough plank bridges, and one section where there's a lot of sand and gravel (and I've almost dumped it on my road bike a couple times).

I want to have this bike as a dedicated commuter - beefy enough to take the commute as often as I want, in any weather - the only time I won't ride is if it's icy - I can telecommute on those days, and don't want to risk falling that much. The road bikes I've got for good weather and weekends.

I know that fit and rideability are the primary considerations, but I'm also trying to narrow down my list without putting all the LBS's (and me) through endless bike comparisons.

Also, for this list of bikes, which ones fit that criteria? Any others that I should consider?

Some of these are steel, some aluminum, some with carbon forks, some chromoly - my bikes are garaged at both ends of the ride, and won't be left out overnight, but I do get concerned about corrosion....so, I'd like some opnions, if you would. Any that you'd NOT consider? Any not on the list that I should?

Jamis Nova
Redline Conquest
Kona Jake/JTS
Bianchi Volpe/Axis
K2 Enemy
Fuji Cross/Cross Pro
Lemond Poprad
Surly Cross Check

is there a cyclocross bike available with disc brakes that are positioned so a rear rack and panniers and burley trailer will fit on without problems? I think discs would be very beneficial here in Vancouver as I have to do a lot of cleaning of rims and brake pads because of oil accumulation from the wet roads. As for the burley trailer, I use the standard clamp currently. If there is no cyclocross bike that fits my needs, would changing the trailer hitch to a skewer hitch make some cyclocross bikes suitable?

Cheers,

Jim

Hi Jim,

You might check on the Gunnar Cross Hairs, which is available with a disc brake mount on the inside of the rear triangle, along the chain stay. The disc brakes are an additional cost on the already moderately priced Gunnar Frame however.

+1 on the Bianchi Castro Valley, especially since they spec'd the '08 with a compact crank.

+1 on the surly cross check,
my winter commuter is a c-c; set up with 1x9 gearing, albatross handlebar
and w106 studded tires (or marathon 42mm tires- when the ice is gone).
the ride is very satisfying, responsive and comfortable.
the 1x9 gearing is pragmatic and effective for commuting, i kept track
of my most common gear combinations and selected the chain ring/cassette
covering that range.

Giant TCX can be added to that list as well. I picked up one last month to use as a commuter. I'll start riding it later this week when my wheels arrive.

People do love their CrossChecks. I also tried the Trek X0-1 and LeMond Poprad, but didn't think they were worth the money. My personal fav of the cyclocross bikes is the Bianchi Volpe. Strikes me as a very good value.

OK. It sounds like I would need to go to a skewer hitch with that setup. I guess there is no way to have the conventional burley hitch in the crook of the seat stay and chain stay and also have the brake there. At least i would be able to fit a rear rack and panniers. The skewer hitch is not a bad idea anyway as it seems like it might be more secure and easier to get the trailer on and off.

Are there any other cyclocross frames that mount the rear disc on the inside of the chainstay?

Cheers,

Jim

I'm working on a list here: https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=271515

Basically just the Trek/Lemond for the moment unless you go custom.