[Closed] Recommend me a ready to race cx bike

Buy two £1000 bikes, maybe the boardman CX jobbie, and a couple of sets of nice tub wheels!

It is a good idea if racing in mud and slop to either have a change of wheels or bike, and it looks really pro 😉

Maybe I'm already planning to buy two 🙂

I'm selling my mint 54cm Crux 🙂

In that case, enjoy 😉

Merak, shall check out the sizing. Can't see it in the classifieds but I am tempted by your Super Fighter 🙂

Ridley. Look at the uci races, Ridleys are everywhere. I have a super budget Ridley and it still rides well, for you budget you could get a nice one.

Two bikes isn't a bad idea, but buy one, see if you get the bug in the early season races and then get a cheap pit bike. Unless you have a pit helper your not going to be changing more than once a race anyway.

Trek Boone 9 or 7 ?
Giant TCX Adv1 ?

A couple hundred quid more than your budget, worth it though.

What are the Ridleys like to ride? Must check out the geo.

TCX is tempting but I got put off by a test ride on an alu one a couple of years ago. Shall give it another go.

Shall have a look at the Boone too. Plan A is still to buy a Crocket frame set and build that up with some nice kit.

Those trek boones do look very nice. I'd get the disc version over the race version.

Under budget: [url= https://www.urbancyclery.co.uk/collections/ridley/products/ridley-2016-x-night-30-disc-black-white-red ]Ridley X-night[/url]

I think the 2017 Ridleys are coming with dtswiss tubeless wheels sets and clement tubeless ready tyres (from window shopping). I'm using the tubeless ready mxp's at the moment and they are really good.

I'm very much a novice, and lots of people are racing with 1 by 11, but personally I don't think it's a great idea. If muddy it's the rear mech that is the weak point so the less you shift it the better. In muddy races I leave rear mech in the middle of the block and just shift from the front. You can easily clear front mech by reaching down while riding. I also like the instant power change of a shift up at the front when going onto a harder surface

mrblobby - Member
What are the Ridleys like to ride? Must check out the geo.

I like mine, it's very much a race bike, even the X-bow I have feels direct and with pinpoint steering round hairpins. I love it. Lots of guys round here race them

Edit. Re. Geo, seems more bikes are going slacker for , never tried any of them but it's counter intuitive to me, given the tight turns required. not sure if they are just following the mtb trend?

Thanks ferrals, all good to know. That x-night looks good. Shall see if anyone local does them.

Re geo, tend to prefer the ride of the slacker lower bikes, I guess that's more like what I'm use to off road.

I think you know I have a TCXAdv1, obvz I'm going to recommend that, but I too love the Ridleys. I borrowed a mates whose almost got the same setup as I have on the TCX and there wasn't much in it ( I thought there would be a massive difference ) I think all the top end CXers ride similar these days, it's the spec that differs and whether you like the Brand or not.
When I change my TCX, the Boone looks like it'll replace it.

Focus look rather nice.

So are you planning a cx campaign this winter?

Theoretically higher bb for pedal clearance in deep mud and pedalling round corners. Don't have enough experiance to comment.

One last thing, probably worth trying to get through axle (on front if not rear), whatever you go for

Wait, based on other posts wouldn't these be C races and doing you have an mtb? Just use that.

When I change my TCX, the Boone looks like it'll replace it.

High praise! All ok with you bikebuoy, not seen you round here much recently.

Ferrals, considering it.

Kryton, probably this year. Doubt I'll have something ready for the start of the season anyway.

How's about a ktm canic cxc in either 2x11 or 1x11 depending on what you fancy, both well under budget, very light too

Spotted that KTM over at grit.cx. Does look fast. Don't know much about them though.

YETI ARC-X

Stunning frame work and a joy to ride on and off road

Do they even still make those?

Along similar brand lines, Pivot Vault does look quite nice.

Keep it Euro! If its good enough for MVDP...

[url= https://www.stevensbikes.de/2016/index.php?bik_id=245&cou=DE&lang=en_US ]Stevens Super-prestige[/url]

And the snazzy 2017 colours
[url= https://www.stevensbikes.de/2016/index.php?cou=DE&lang=en_US&url=en/bike-novelties-2017-bike/stevens-2017-cyclocross.html ]here[/url]

Still not really seen anything that I'd be happy to spend that sort of cash on.

May just go with the original plan and get a Crocket frame and build it up from the parts bin for now. Maybe some LightBicycle wheels. Or check out the classifieds.

I'd go:

1) Trek Boone
=2) Focus
=2) Ridley
4) Cannondale (2016 model - before they go to weird proprietary dished rear wheels)

Interesting. Why so much love for the Boone? Really that good?

mrblobby - Member
Spotted that KTM over at grit.cx. Does look fast. Don't know much about them though.

I've got th3 alloy version and it's excellent, my mate has the carbon one built up with mavic tubeless wheels and 1x11 shimano, in a 59cm it weighs naff all and absolutely flies

2016 Cannondale SuperX

2016 one not a bad shout, decent deals to be had. Super X ultegra from PedalOn for 2k.

Was originally thinking 1x but 2x may be a pretty good idea.

2x10 opens up a lot of riding possibilities, I'm rarely out of the small ring when CX racing, but rarely out of the big ring when doing those long distance CX/Gravel races.

And I'm fine BTW, thanks for asking. I promised myself this year I'd do less riding, concentrate on SUP wave surfing and wave windsurfing. It's going well, didn't realise my mates missed me as much as they had done so I'm playing with them now. I'm still CXer'ing, keeping to about 80% fitness from my top level so I can still compete and enjoy it. I kinda got wrapped up in it all after the Dirty Reviver, did some silly long distance off-road stuff in Europe, so taking a break for a while. I need an event or route to inspire me, the Keswick Monster miles is next.. Let's see how that goes.

Good to hear all is well bikebouy.

Re 2x, that was about what I was thinking. Shall pop down PedalOn and check out a few I think.

Planet X XLS. Throw the wheels away and replace with Chinese tub wheelsets.

You could do two bikes and a couple of set of wheels for your price. Two average bikes better than one awesome bike in terms of racing.

Problem with the superx is it just looks dull. Last years blue version was much nicer. I'm quite taken by the trek Crockett frame set in pink.

You are right about the Super X though not sure I could make a pink Crockett work for me!

Niner BSB rdo?

Selling my Spooky Supertouch. Pure race bike but maybe a bit old skool for you with its rim brakes.

What about a Focus Mares, like this? Ok so it's Jeremys bike but you can get the same spec..

I like the Mares, bloody solid light and fast..

Either disc

[img] [/img]

or rim..

[img] [/img]

I've been looking of a rim brake version of the Mares for ages, they're so good nobody wants to sell them.

Rim brakes... probably not now.

Niner... Lovely but jungle prices are ridiculous.

Mares is tempting. Shall see if there is a local dealer where I can check them out. LBS use to do them but stopped as dealing with Focus on warranty issues was a PITA (hmm or that might have been Cube.)

Well they make an alloy disc Mares for about £1100.. Nice spec too.

I just bought a scandium Alan. Lovely bikes at decent prices. Check out alanbike.it they've got some offers on bikes and frames and Alberto is a very helpful man to deal with.

Nice those Alan's. Where did you get it from?

Ridley - speak to Pasulmilnes (got loads of them) also dont discount his own frames (as seen in the world cup last year)

..I hear the Merlin bikes are very similar to the Ridleys 😉

Those Focuses (Foci? 😆 ) are nice.

It's certainly a nice dilemma to have!

edit. I see what you mean about the merlins!

Anything from the top 2 rows from here http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cx_sale2.php

...would be fine.

Might be over budget but Wouts Colnago gives me shivers.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Anything from the top 2 rows from here

Hmm that 2016 TCX looks a pretty good deal.

Colnago

Nice but never really been a fan of Colnago.

tang - Member

Might be over budget but Wouts Colnago gives me shivers.

Pretty sure I had a Raleigh with that colour scheme back in the day.. and come to think about it, I had a shell suit like it too 😳

Got the Alan direct from alanbike.it

Wynne, nice those. Quite fancy one of these...

[img] ?t=1471705297[/img]

That Giant is tempting though. Di2, rotor chainset, in my size, just down the road....

Alan have world heritage on their side, been making CX World champs winning bikes for yonks. Have great reputation and now seen as a "boutique" brand by some. His Alloy bikes are a simple work of fun/function.

The TCX Adv1 off K57's link is an absolute bargain.

I like them, something a little out of the ordinary with excellent pedigree and manufactured in Europe to decent labour and environmental standards.

I have the exact same rim braked Focus Mares, Bikebouy 😀

You can't have it!

Not sure of your size Mr Blobby but:

http://www.trekdemosale.co.uk/5702/

Thanks Kryton, bit big, probably a 54/56 for the Crockett.

The TCX Adv1 off K57's link is an absolute bargain.

Think I'm going to go have a look at this ^^^ on the weekend.

I'm pretty gobsmacked with my Crosslight 5T disc. I took a bit of a punt on it based on reputation, and honestly it's soo racy by default it's a shock. I've got the standard build on it (the one shown on the popover on their site) which is basically 5800 and FSA with the crosslight Disc wheels, Spyre C's and Crosswolfs.

It's done some Peaks MTB trails and a bunch of town riding so far, and I'd not hesitate to buy another for the £1300 (topped up c2w voucher). As earlier suggestion, your budget would allow two if you plan to race properly.

I'm 178 and on a 54. Strictly the geo charts say I should be on the next size up, but it woudl honestly spoil the bike I think...

Anyone seen the new Genesis Vaypor? Looks pretty...

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cyclocross/cyclocross/vapour-cx/vapour-ccx-30

[img] [/img]

Think that warrants a closer look.

That Genesis looks too like an mtb frame with the dropped top tube for my liking.

How about:

[img] [/img]

Dolan price is nice. Rather like the look of that Genesis though even if it does look a bit xc mtb.

So... where is the cx bike? Plenty of mud around with all this rain!

I'm busy! Went down the LBS last weekend, they'd got the new TCX and Crux but not built up yet. Hope to get to PedalOn this weekend to check out the Trek, Scott and Cannonade options.

Still not 100% sure I want to go CX racing this winter. I could do some wessex league rounds on the MTB, may just do that first.

There's some pretty bikes in this thread! I'm debuting my Scott at Mary Hare 🙂

Ooo what you got crosshair?

Scott Speedster CX 10. It's been my summer road steed for Ride London etc.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Crosshair, nice. Best of luck at Mary Hare. Better get the knobblies on! Can't make the first few races but hopefully get some in later in the year.

I have just got 2 Trek Crockett 7's. Lovely red colour and come through fantastically well speced with CX1. The ride quality is fantastic, light, fast and nimble.

The money you save over the Boone will leave some of your budget for quality CX Tubs which you WILL need for effective racing in the UK once the slop begins.

I am over the moon with my bikse and couldn't recommend enough.

PlumzRichard , they do look rather good.

Still not 100% sure I want to go CX racing this winter.

I dare you to try one and not be hooked 😆

I thought I would do one or two last winter and became an obsessive!

Ferrals, I'll definitely have a crack at one at least this winter if only to keep things interesting. Figuring a CX bike might also be a nice way to add a bit of off road variety to winter road training too.

Those Crocket 7's, definitely worth a closer look.

Plan I'm debating is a boardman team from halfords and then if I really like cx and get into it upgrading the frame.

A Ritchey 😉 or one of them Bowman bikes (can't remember the model; but they look good)

Was quite interested in that Bowman but got the impression it was more an "adventure" CX bike rather than race CX. Quite pricey too.

Bowmans are bloody lovely bikes, a couple of lads in the Club have then and they're lovely to both look at and ride. True, neither of the lads have CX'ed them, just stuck 28's on them on the road. One is the Pilgrim and the others a Foots Cray though the lad with the Foots will CX it later in the season when back in the country.
Expensive? Well yes, kinda. All depends on what you want on it.

But my choice for a first time CX would be the Disc Focus Mares Ali ^^ I posted earlier. Easily one of the best bikes for usability, ride and cost for both CX riding and easily converted for road hacks.

Thanks bikebuoy. Shall look at the focus but the Crockett does look a favourite right now. Shall take one for a spin when I get the chance.

Btw, any tips for CX sizing? Assuming a little shorter on reach and a bit higher on stack than on the road?

Both my roadie and TCX are mediums, 54" , my roadie is set up with a 120 stem and 42" bars and no stack. My TCX is setup with a 120 stem and 44" bars (short drop) and no stack.

Visually they both look the same if you sit them side by side, except the TCX sits higher on the headset due to the taller head tube. I've tried 42" bars and 110 stem on the TCX but for me it was too cramped, so reverted back to what I have now. I'm an old school roadie by nature, which for my sins means low and long and over the (many) years perfected the setups I have which I can setup by sight on a myriad of different bikes.

I used to XC race years ago too (26" rigid when it was all the rage) and I had a pic of my Klein from back then, I visually made note of the set up from that, tried to transpose that to my current bikes and I reckon my TCX isn't that far away from the setup back then.

What I'm saying is this.. CX racing (proper CX) is hard, fast, whoopy, on/off, mixed terrain fun and you need to be able to honk hard and drive the bike hard, for this (and it's my opinion) I need to sit only slightly more upright than the roadie, for me it's no more than a few cm's, millimetres even. This is just because I'm used to the fit/feel of my bikes over a very long period of time.
Sure, I've seen high stack, short stem, wide bars, small framed bikes for 6ft riders win races, but I've also seen long, low, slack big frames win races with 5'5" riders on too.

But I do ride my TCX on long distance CX events too.. Probably why I just set it similar to the roadie because I know in both disciplines (CX racing and long distance CX) I'll be able to ride it hard for either short or a long time.

I've gone off tangent, sorry. But I guess if you have a bike you like the setup of already, don't go too far away from that setup on your new CX bike. Of course there are many theories and proven ones too, but buy the right size frame first then setup the reach on the seat post, then the stem and finally the bars. If you fancy a smaller frame than what may suit you already (say a 52 rather than a 54) you will end up either cramped and looking for reach, where you may need a much longer stem which may mean you are weight forward on the tops and placing a lot of pressure on your wrists and shoulders. Don't discount comfort when riding hard, with teeth rattling and being bashed on your arse by the seat down a long decent.. Obviously a shorter/smaller bike will feel whippy, maybe.. but I do think you'll miss out on that comfortable "locked down/driving/grinding" position of a mortal size bike for you.

All my opinion obvz, many different views, many more experienced seasoned CX racers on here may give other opinions, I'd like to hear them too because I'm always looking to improve.

Fun isn't it, all this trying out/setting up.. 😆

Thanks bikebouy. Looking at, say, the geo between the TCR and TCX, there's only about 5mm between the stack and reach numbers anyway. I've got a 140 stem with 40cm bars on the TCR but I'd probably want something wider for CX which would probably need a slightly shorter stem. Anyway shall go ride some this week and see how it goes.

Though looking at the training for CX thread earlier today I suspect I'll be rubbish at it anyway 🙂

I've always run identical geometry (where possible).

Sometimes it would mean running a 140+ stem, so i've had to wind it in a bit and compromise!

Mods: apologies if this isn't the done thing and please delete if so...

Can I blatantly plug the 2015 SuperX CX1 I've just put on the classifieds this weekend? Would seem to be right up your street if the sizing is right. I'm not going to be able to race this winter due to injury. Couldn't race last winter either so the bike has basically done nothing since I bought it...

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/cannondale-super-x-cx1-2015-56cm-cyclocross-bike-with-new-hope-pro-wheels-1400 ]Cannondale Super X CX1 2015 56cm Cyclocross Bike with NEW Hope Pro Wheels £1400[/url]

Bensales, like that. I'll have a closer look tomorrow.

mrblobby - Member
Bensales, like that. I'll have a closer look tomorrow.

Awesome. (Munged) email is in my profile if you have more questions or want to have a look at it. Cheers.

Still not got one, still want one.

Any reason not to go for a 2016/17 Boone 7 for £2k? Only spec issue I can see is QR rear and post mount brakes.