Will I be at a huge disadvantage if I get a cross bike to ride primarily on the road?
02-15-14, 04:39 PM
#27
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Modern wheels, with Kool Stop salmons/dual compounds work for me when I get caught in a downpour.
If its raining before I leave, I take my CXer with discs.
02-15-14, 04:42 PM
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02-15-14, 04:45 PM
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02-15-14, 05:05 PM
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02-15-14, 07:27 PM
#31
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Disc brake argument aside, you can never go wrong adding a CX bike to your arsenal. I look at mine as a drop bar hybrid. It gives me nearly identical performance as my road bike with the versatility of a hybrid but still retaining the multiple hand position benefit with drop bars. I actually had mine prior to getting my Pinarello because I wanted the versatility up front.
02-15-14, 07:39 PM
#32
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02-15-14, 07:47 PM
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I've goy the CAADX with 105 and canto's. I ride on a second wheel set with 700x28's and have done 50 milers on mixed Tarmac and gravel quite happily. I did red briefly with a guy who had the Ultega CAADX and hated the discs, no first hand opinion. My choice of canto' went mostly to a stock of wheels.
02-15-14, 08:09 PM
#34
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Disc brake argument aside, you can never go wrong adding a CX bike to your arsenal. I look at mine as a drop bar hybrid. It gives me nearly identical performance as my road bike with the versatility of a hybrid but still retaining the multiple hand position benefit with drop bars. I actually had mine prior to getting my Pinarello because I wanted the versatility up front.
I always state I think Cxers are what hybrids should've been.(*IMO)
There's always a bunch of naysayers in the commuter subforum, but like you said, having the versatility/multiple hand positions up front is a nice opiton to have.
02-15-14, 09:58 PM
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Jiggle has yet to explain how complicated disc brakes are...he's gonna get back to us on it.
02-15-14, 10:01 PM
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02-15-14, 10:34 PM
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I say go for it. The bike isn't going to hold you back at all. Disc brakes are nice, as well. The stopping power of my disc brake equipped bike is pretty impressive, even more so when it's a bit wet outside.
As others have said, your only real investment is going to "upgrade" to road slicks. You can still ride with the stock tires you get with the bike, of course, but the going will be easier with road tires. You'll also have a spare set of tires then to use at your discretion.
As others have said, your only real investment is going to "upgrade" to road slicks. You can still ride with the stock tires you get with the bike, of course, but the going will be easier with road tires. You'll also have a spare set of tires then to use at your discretion.
02-16-14, 02:06 AM
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Go for it. Cross bikes are very versatile. Last year my road bike was out of commission so I did a double century on my Focus Mares. I just put road tires on it.
Just rode mine in the rain today. I was wishing for discs as I listened to my canti brakes grinding away my rims in the grit and grime...
Just rode mine in the rain today. I was wishing for discs as I listened to my canti brakes grinding away my rims in the grit and grime...
Last edited by vwchad; 02-16-14 at 02:09 AM.
02-16-14, 06:21 AM
#42
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Worse case crushed limestone? Not a 29er and not a cross bike.
Get a sportive or endurance geometry bike. If you love Cannondales, get a Synapse. If you loved Specialized, get a Roubaix. If you love Trek, get a Domane.
These bikes are about as fast as a pure road racing bike and faster than a cross bike or 29er on the road. If you must you can go up to 28c tire width.
Btw, above can be used on even single track...just not the rough stuff that require wider tires with knobs.
A last note. I own a 29er which I will be parting out in the spring because I have moved to the south where the roads are all paved. I rarely had trouble keeping up with average roadies on that bike when I ran 28c slicks. Yes there is a fractional difference in speed but only at extreme efforts or on rides over 30 miles or so. Its not about the bike so much. A pro on a 29er with slicks will drop anybody on this forum on a road bike on the road. A 29er is a great and versatile bike because it will accommodate a wide range of tire sizes. Most here will prefer a drop bar bike for greater rider position versatility including me.
Get a sportive or endurance geometry bike. If you love Cannondales, get a Synapse. If you loved Specialized, get a Roubaix. If you love Trek, get a Domane.
These bikes are about as fast as a pure road racing bike and faster than a cross bike or 29er on the road. If you must you can go up to 28c tire width.
Btw, above can be used on even single track...just not the rough stuff that require wider tires with knobs.
A last note. I own a 29er which I will be parting out in the spring because I have moved to the south where the roads are all paved. I rarely had trouble keeping up with average roadies on that bike when I ran 28c slicks. Yes there is a fractional difference in speed but only at extreme efforts or on rides over 30 miles or so. Its not about the bike so much. A pro on a 29er with slicks will drop anybody on this forum on a road bike on the road. A 29er is a great and versatile bike because it will accommodate a wide range of tire sizes. Most here will prefer a drop bar bike for greater rider position versatility including me.
So I am looking into getting a new bike. I will be riding 80% of the time on the road, and the other 20% on mainly crushed limestone rail trails. I do not race and will not race. I normally do rides in the 20-30 mile range, with an occassional longer ride. I have a 29er that takes care of my single track riding. 90% of the time I ride alone, but I do have a few friends that I would like to get together with for some road rides. They are not into clubs or racers, in basically the same shape I am, but they have true road bikes.
I went to my LBS and they have 2013 Cannondale CAADX Ultegra Disc bikes for $1600.00. It seems like a killer deal for an Ultegra equipped bike. It doesn't hurt that I love the look of it also. Anyway, would I be at a huge disadvantage on this bike over a road bike?
I have not ridden it yet, bad snowstorm when I stopped in during my lunch hour yesterday, but plan to go back next week and give it a spin. So this could all be a mute point if I don't like the feel of it, but I'm hoping I really like it. So will I be able to keep up with my buddies on their lighter road bikes or will the added weight of the CAADx make that big of a difference? Thanks for any oppinions...
I went to my LBS and they have 2013 Cannondale CAADX Ultegra Disc bikes for $1600.00. It seems like a killer deal for an Ultegra equipped bike. It doesn't hurt that I love the look of it also. Anyway, would I be at a huge disadvantage on this bike over a road bike?
I have not ridden it yet, bad snowstorm when I stopped in during my lunch hour yesterday, but plan to go back next week and give it a spin. So this could all be a mute point if I don't like the feel of it, but I'm hoping I really like it. So will I be able to keep up with my buddies on their lighter road bikes or will the added weight of the CAADx make that big of a difference? Thanks for any oppinions...
Last edited by Campag4life; 02-16-14 at 06:30 AM.
02-16-14, 07:03 AM
#43
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I bought a cross bike to use on the road last year. Unfortunately they didn't make a 60cm frame so I got a 58. It never felt right under me so I barely rode it and sold it. Make sure whatever you get fits and I'm not sure I subscribe to the "1 size smaller" notion for cross bikes.
02-16-14, 09:04 AM
#44
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Why do you want to switch to 50/34?
02-16-14, 11:23 AM
#45
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The "1 size smaller" advice is meant for people buying Cyclocross bikes to use for Cyclocross (and even then it isn't always appropriate). If you're buying a CX bike for road (paved or otherwise), fit it like a road bike.
02-16-14, 01:13 PM
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02-16-14, 03:33 PM
#49
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The gearing change is because I want/need an easier hill climbing gear. It is very hilly where I live and I have some serious weight to lose.
I actually got to take it for a test ride today and brought it home. I LOVE it!
It feels really quick and lively. Perfect bike for me.
I actually got to take it for a test ride today and brought it home. I LOVE it!
It feels really quick and lively. Perfect bike for me.
02-16-14, 03:43 PM
#50
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I bought a cross bike to use on the road last year. Unfortunately they didn't make a 60cm frame so I got a 58. It never felt right under me so I barely rode it and sold it. Make sure whatever you get fits and I'm not sure I subscribe to the "1 size smaller" notion for cross bikes.