[Closed] So.... CX Bikes

Dammit!! Wrong forum.

No I've not shed the roadie but have bought a Giant TCX Advance in the last month and have to say it is an excellent bike. My roadie and niner haven't been touched since ...

As above, I rarely ride anything other than a cx bike nowadays. Certainly in winter.

Caadx 105 and Genesis day one for the most part.

Pretty happy with my Boardman cx team. I don't have a road bike anyway but it goes well with slicks on.

I sold my stupidly heavy ally road bike for a carbon fork/ally frame cross bike, goes like stink with slicks on and has completed the fred whitton and the 3 peaks cyclocross, if I could ride it all year all the time then I would.

Unfortunately my local XC races dont allow cross bikes because they are too quick on some circuits, and afan was rough on a hardtail, let alone a cross bike! I do feel like my MTB gets neglected as I never have the need to ride it outside of big trail centres.

I used to think my cross bike (an old on one ti cross) could be a do it all bike for road and cx too as long as you didn't want to race on the road. It was always a bit tall at the front end for proper road but that made it a good tour bike and slightly less full on winter hack.

However now it has discs and a pretty heavy (and cheap) disc specific fork I'd say its a bit too heavy. Still love it and it's even better at what it does best but it no longer has the range it previously did.

Nope, unless my carbon bling cx bike counts. My main road bike is Ti, although I'm considering ordering a custom carbon road frame for next summer.

Not really given up bling road bike, but a couple of years ago I bought a 'bargain' road bike. It turned out it was a bit too big for me, but in the mean time, having headed out on country roads, coveted tracks and trails, and riding on rougher roads -- I sold it on, got an all road bike for rough road work, light trail use, and intended touring. Very pleased with it.. It's not light, but it's robust and inspires re-assurance..

Well, I recently took the plunge and bought a Planet X CX bike. I love it and although I unquestionably am still enjoying the novelty of a new bike I honestly can't see myself riding much else locally. My mountain bikes will certainly get used a lot lot less other than for big 'adventure' rides in Wales, Scotland etc.

Wish I'd got one sooner.

A mate ditched his road bike for a Charge Filter. Great for mixed riding and commuting. He does keep talking about getting a proper road bike again. As well as, instead of. Obviously.

fervouredimage: I'm intrigued as to how that rides with say a 700x23 on roads in the summer/good conditions

So far, given I've only had it for a month, I've only ridden it on road to get to local woodland for 3-4 miles, so have just been riding everything with the stock tyres. I've been surprised at just how well it does ride on road actually. I'd say it's certainly heavier then I'd expected but I personally find that perfectly fine for off road. It makes me feel a little more stable and confident when conditions are tricky.

When I stick some slicks on it I'll let you know how it goes.

yeah it seems like a potential candidate for commuter and sunday road riding

The Planet X rides pretty well as a road bike. I've done about 500k on mine. I've got 700x28's but have had 700x25's which were fine. It's good off road too with a nice slack head angle.
It is comparatively heavy though. When I get back on my proper road bike its like your flying up the hills.

Heavy compared to? What road bike do you have?

My current road bike is reynold 520 and steel forks. Sora groupset. So not the lightest.

I'm kinda looking at heavy duty road/roadish CX bikes for commute + leisure road ride. My current bike would then be split sold.

The Genesis Equilibrium Disc really appeals (but its much £££) then for less there is the Planet X CX and the Genesis Croix de Fer and finally the Planet X Kaffenback is the most affordable.

i have a charge filter hi 2012, its a good bike and has handled everything ive tried on it, with the exception that the original tektro lyra brakes were useless. (since replaced with hayes cx5)
on 2013 onwards models charge have changed these though.
i also have a normal road bike and a susser, but this is my most ridden bike.

Canyon Ultimate CF.
The Planet X is a good bike and a good all-rounder but come the big rides in the summer I'll be on the Canyon

I haven't ditched the bling road bike but have a cross bike as well, mostly because i can. However if i could only have one then it would be the cross bike.

2014 Croix de Fer is great fun and very able on road in touring guise. I wouldn't choose it for a summer road ride over my carbon Defy though.

Picked up Cyril the Cube cyclorace 2014 yesterday. Bring on the new year when I'm back off my holidays and new adventures start,

don't really 'do' road riding but have a longer commute now so have just built a Croix de Fer for that and some light off-road long ways home.

I have a full carbon Cube road bike that barely sees any use now. My Ti VN Amazon works great as a tourer, a decent/comfy road bike (did LeJog on it) and as a CX/light off-roader. It's amazing how much different it feels with a set of CX knobblies. In fact, I've just fitted a set of wider-rimmed/29er wheels to it for a bit more tyre volume. That leaves the Open Pros for narrower road/touring tyres.

Jimmy - you been out on it yet ? Keen to hear what you think of it. Mine was standard although got small block 8s in garage and some more knobbly conti's on way as std tyres limited off road.

I thought I would bump this as I haven't done anything about it yet and the idea has entered my head again.

Disc brakes are handy on the CX bikes in Winter - cos they work!

Sometimes a problem if you're at the front of a group of riders with regular dual pivots or cantis as they tend to run into the back of you 🙂

Disc brakes are a big appeal, I have to say. Not for the power; mainly for the lack of rim destruction.

Any comments on this one?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/genesis/cdf-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec055504

It's nice, but I would be tempted to spend the extra £50 and get the Arkose 3 with 105 shifters, BB7-SLs and carbon fork.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec054866

[quote=Jamie ]It's nice, but I would be tempted to spend the extra £50 and get the Arkose 3 with 105 shifters, BB7-SLs and carbon fork.
> http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-three-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec054866
br />
Wot he said.

That Arkrose 3 looks brill!

That Arkrose 3 looks brill!

Wot he said!

....seriously, If I hadn't have got my Croix De Fer cheap-ish, I would have bought one of those Arkoseseseses 3 for £900.

Just bought the new Giant TCX SLR2,only had one ride so far but really like it. TRP Spyre brakes seem good so far.

TRP Spyre brakes seem good so far.

Seen this?

[b]Voluntary Recall Notice[/b]
TRP Mechanical Disc Brake - Spyre & Spyre SLC

Tektro USA/TRP Brakes has issued a voluntary recall notice for customers and retailers to stop riding and stop selling Spyre and Spyre SLC mechanical disc brake calipers. We have also led a report with the CPSC in accordance with their guidelines.

We have identied a specic condition that could result in failure or one or both of the brakes when installed on a bicycle.

The Spyre caliper uses a dual piston design in which ball bearings move within opposing ramps. We have discovered that in a specic scenario, the balls can be forced from the ramps if the actuator arm is fully activated to its stop with excessively worn or no pads installed.

The effect is that the one or more of the balls can jump from its position within its respective ramp,resulting in a reduction or loss of braking force.

The recall applies to approximately 4000 brake calipers sold from April 2013 to December 6, 2013.There has been one reported incident of a single caliper brake failure with no injury or property damage.

Customers are asked to take their Spyre or Spyre SLC’s back to the original place of purchase,or in UK to contact distributor Upgrade Bikes Ltd, Customer Service to arrange a return shipment.All Spyre and Spyre SLC calipers will be replaced free of charge.

Customer Services
Upgrade Bikes Ltd
Units A-B
Star Road Trading Est
Partridge Green
West Sussex
RH13 8RA

01403 712 543 (Recall Centre)
TRP@Upgradebikes.co.uk

01403 711 611 Upgrade Bikes

Please note - The recall only affects v.1 Brakes. Please see the below picture to ascertain if you are affected by the recall. Replacement Calipers now in stock – Approx. 2 days turn-around on all calipers returned. Delivery revised of SLC Calipers is expected in the next few weeks.

[img] [/img]

http://shop.upgradebikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Brakes/Disc/TRP-Syre

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/trp-recall-spyre-disc-brakes

Its ok my bike has the new ones.

I have to ask why do some cross bikes - say Genesis Vapour amongst others have really really short head tubes on medium/large sizes. Getting close to 100mm in some cases.

Are the forks longer to compensate? Or are you just meant to use a stem with decent rise?

The short head tubes indicate more race geometry, whereas Croix and arkose are designed more for mixed riding, not much racing and more mtb feel with longer head tubes.

Well, I've done it. I took a trip over to Evans, just to look, you understand 8)

They didn't have the Arkose 3 on display, but they did have the 1 and 2. The 2 only had a single ring up front, which I liked, but thought might limit it's usability on the road. However, the 1 looked very good value, especially as it was reduced by £85. As far as I could tell, the only extra you got on the 3 was 105 parts added to the drivetrain mix.

So, I took it out for a spin, just to see, you understand. To cut a tedious story short, I bought the damn thing

😆

Mikey - that's a great bike, good on ya ! Keen to hear how you find the 35mm small block 8's

I have a Giant TCX SLR2 on order and, having seen one in the flesh this afternoon, I can't wait for it to arrive - it seems that the M/L I have on order is the one with the longest lead time! It is on order and the bike shop have had it confirmed that mine is due with them mid/late February.

Glad to hear you are pleased with yours, crasher50

As far as I could tell, the only extra you got on the 3 was 105 parts added to the drivetrain mix.

Yup, Sora 9sp instead of the mix of 105 and Tiagra 10sp, with the same chainset. That, and you get the regular BB7s.

It's a nicer colour as well...as in ninja black 8)

Ahh fair enough. The 1 has the BB7 brakes, the 3 has the BB7-SL.

Jamie; you had, briefly, a Giant TCX SLR2 didn't you but got a refund IIRC as you weren't happy with the finish..? The one I saw this afternoon looked fine, and actually reassured me that I am getting the right bike and that it will be worth the wait.

Jamie; you had, briefly, a Giant TCX SLR2 didn't you but got a refund IIRC as you weren't happy with the finish..? The one I saw this afternoon looked fine, and actually reassured me that I am getting the right bike and that it will be worth the wait.

I did indeed. I just got unlucky, there is always the odd lemon. I had a Giant Defy for several years and it was rock solid. So no anti-Giant angle.

The problem was, as you have found out, is stock. If they'd been able to send me out a replacement then I would be riding it now. But, it was all 'possibly in 3 weeks...maybe in 2.....could be a month' type time frames, so took the refund.

Maybe in hindsight I shouldn't have been such a tart and just kept it, but I shouldn't have to be picking metal shavings out of the frame on a £1k bike.

Maybe in hindsight I shouldn't have been such a tart and just kept it, but I shouldn't have to be picking metal shavings out of the frame.

Crikey. That's understandable, then. Wonder if you had one of the first batch..?

Must admit that if there's any delay beyond week 7 (as I've been reassured) for mine I'll ask for my deposit back.

Wonder if you had one of the first batch..?

I think so, as this was at the end of September.

Must admit that if there's any delay beyond week 7 (as I've been reassured) for mine I'll ask for my deposit back.

Would probably do similar. It's a nice bike, but not so awesome that one should wait indefinitely. It is the most complete package, though. Saying that, Canyon have there bikes out now, which look alright.

I run a Jake the Snake with 105. It spends more time as a winter hack bike than anything else now, though I did do a road/off road ride of around 100 miles on it in the spring. Despite 700x32c tyres I was a bit beaten up by the end.

I alternately love and hate it. When the hate sets in (usually late spring) I jump on my 'good' roadie and all is well.

Househusband, its well worth the wait. I had one on order for some time and then they got delayed again with the brake recall. Mark at Pedalsport was brilliant and kept me informed at each stage - (thanks Mark). I've fitted a 34t inplace of the 36t to make it easier on the longer climbs - old farts legs syndrome!
Also on the spec sheet online the cassette is listed 11-28t, mine came with 12-30t which is a bonus.
I've emailed Giant about the confusion over the front axle.

I alternately love and hate it. When the hate sets in (usually late spring) I jump on my 'good' roadie and all is well.

My Croix De Fer is now my only bike. So when the weather gets warmer, I might start to regret this state of affairs.

The Canyon bikes are indeed nice but rather more than I'm spending; did get a bit of a discount on the Giant! If it is delayed I'll probably get the CAADX.

Cheers, crasher50. I thought that they all came with the 15mm front axle, too, until Jamie here pointed out that the SLR2 is q/r - it does/did actually state this but it wasn't very clear.

You'll probably be fine. My hate is all about speed...or lack of it. Jump on the pedals and nothing much happens, it is also a bit heavy for the few climbs we have round here.

I have put some better wheels on it this winter (CXP22 instead of Fulcrum 7s) and it is a bit more lively but nowhere near as responsive or speedy as a carbon roadie.

Long off road rides are a bit painful though you can push hard and go pretty quick on fire roads. Singletrack becomes a bit more exciting but...you have to do some pretty radical unweighting over roots etc. Get it wrong and you have a flat on your hands. I haven't done a successful ghetto tubeless conversion yet.

Slowjo - which year is yours ? I had the 07 fluro green one till just before Christmas when I replaced it with a Croix. The genesis is much more comfy off road. Its fine on road this time of year but agree different animal to the defy composite 🙂

CAADX

I looked at that. Promax brakes put me off.

You'll probably be fine. My hate is all about speed

Fortunately, I am quite slow.

...but nowhere near as responsive or speedy as a carbon roadie.

Well, no, it probably won't be 8)

Jamie, on my home road loop, which is 25 miles of hilly back roads, the Croix with the 35c stock tyres is about 6 mins slower than Defy Comp 1 with ultegra and 23c tyres. the Croix is 16 -17 and the Giant 18-19, both on a good day, for me.

Jamie, on my home road loop, which is 25 miles of hilly back roads, the Croix with the 35c stock tyres is about 6 mins slower than Defy Comp 1 with ultegra and 23c tyres. the Croix is 16 -17 and the Giant 18-19, both on a good day, for me.

Good to know, Ian.

Guess it will just mean I am working harder 😉

Mikey - that's a great bike, good on ya ! Keen to hear how you find the 35mm small block 8's

Went out for a ride today and I have to say I was quite impressed with the tyres: The ride involved everything from tarmac to roots to gravel to thick gloopy mud and to quite hard, but slippery surfaces, and the only type where they were found wanting was the latter.

Pretty much any mud where they could cut through to find grip, they were great. The surface where they struggled was on slick, muddy surfaces where the mud was too hardpacked to let the tyres dig in, if that makes sense.

The bike, as a whole, was nice too 🙂

Cheers mikey, I may go for those once the stock conti cross speeds wear out.

Go for the TCX, I love mine.

Now hung up for another year.

Now do I keep an efficient lightweight crosser that's never missed a beat, always performed well regardless of having old canti's.
Or, do I buy a slightly heavier disc equiped new bike?

I've been running a final model Cotic X in standard weekday build (apart from saddle) for nearly a year now and love it to bits still.

I bought it on C2W with the intention of a mixed role bike that could serve up fun as well as a faster commute and I have to say the only things about a CX bike that's disappointed me are how often I take it out instead of something else and how weird and draggy big 2.25/2.35 26er wheels feel afterwards...

I went for the X at the time as I wanted to beat the c2w pricepoint, have discs and proper STi's - and preferred a steel frame. Getting the last green one in my size finished it off. This year it would have been very different as discs are a lot more widespread in sub £1k land and the 3500 Sora groupset and better is much more common now also at the pricepoint. CdF's, TriCrosses and stuff were in the mix against it at the time.

I'm beginning to consider upgrades - notably drivetrain.

Cotic specced the Sora 50/34 front and balanced that with an 11-32 back end. I'm wondering if I would really benefit from something a bit more normal here. I'd prefer unwindowed shifters but they're still working well enough that I don't see any real point swapping for another 9 speed set apart from bling. I note Spesh have done something very similar with this years' Tricross Sport Disc and it's got a 50/34 11-30 set up. A TCX SLR2 might have been a nice alternative also but seems more race focussed and concerned with being stiff instead of springy (I get why) but the 15mm front axle looks interesting.

In fact, having dragged it out on 100 mile+ road epics, classic roadie cat climbs in the peaks, all over the Dark Peak including some insane descents I'd have much rather had a longtravel HT for but were epic fun and, of course commuting, I've got to say it's probably the most fun and practical bike I've ever bought. CX racing is about the only thing I've not tried with it - and I never really intended to, hence happy with a fun, springy steel frame and sod the weight... 😉 There have even been moments I've considered a dropper on it and I think I've worked out where to put a KS remote on the drops...

Now do I keep an efficient lightweight crosser that's never missed a beat, always performed well regardless of having old canti's.
Or, do I buy a slightly heavier disc equiped new bike?

The way you have worded that, suggests you already know the answer 8)

A TCX SLR2 might have been a nice alternative also but seems more race focussed and concerned with being stiff instead of springy (I get why) but the 15mm front axle looks interesting.

Just so you know, the SLR2 has a QR front axle, and not a 15mm axle. Only the SLR 1 and Advanced models have the 15mm axle.

A TCX SLR2 might have been a nice alternative also but seems more race focussed and concerned with being stiff instead of springy (I get why) but the 15mm front axle looks interesting.

The TCX SLR2 isn't 15mm at the front - Q/R.

TCX SLR2 lack of 15mm front: my bad, thanks!

I'm not in the market for another new bike this year anyway, and I think I'd have been wanting a race bike to have picked the Giant but I was more intrigued that 15mm was making it into CX after the howls of 'another new standard!' when it turned up on MTB forks...

I thought it was 15mm too until Jamie pointed it out! Not too fussed; bought a 15mm > Q/R adaptor so I can use my 29er wheels in the SLR2... when it arrives!

I thought it was 15mm too until Jamie pointed it out!

...and I thought the same until I directly asked Giant. The marketing bods should have made it clearer.

After fridays thread about the Croix de Fer I posted my head is now buzzing with the alternative options I have for buying a new CX bike. Im wondering If steel is really what I want or not. To be honest my last 3 hardtails have been a Gt Aggressor (Alu 7005) , 456 (4150 Chromoly steel ) and a Prince Albert (520 reynolds) If Im being honest the One one was the worst bike to ride .
As I said in the other thread I doubt I would ride a cyclocross event though you never know but do intend getting some panniers and doing longsih mixed road , fire road rides up north. Anyone know if the sizing for a cx bike needs to be the same for a road bike ?(Im a 54cm on my Giant Defy).
Househusband nice to hear you are buying a new bike lets hope we can get out on them this summer for a wee spin.

(Im a 54cm on my Giant Defy).

I had a 54cm Defy, which I always felt was just a smidge too big for me, so went for a 52cm Croix De Fer, and briefly had a small TCX SLR2 which seemed ok.

I am 5'7 with a 30-ish inside leg.

If you are over 5'8, or comfy on your Defy, I would say stick with the same sizing on a Croix De Fer/TCX...hard to judge on other bikes as, as I found out with the Boardman CX bikes wherein they're Small frame was equivalent to a medium/54cm TT Giant, different manufactures size differently.

Anyone know if the sizing for a cx bike needs to be the same for a road bike?

Not a clue! The sizing/geometry for the SLR2 is odd... I was able to get a sit on one of the few in the country when I ordered it a couple of months ago and went for the M/L. Leslie Bike Shops were able to get hold of one (the next model up with CF frame) for a sponsored rider and he was kind enough to let me have a wee shot around the car park.

Househusband nice to hear you are buying a new bike lets hope we can get out on them this summer for a wee spin.

Aye!

My medium Defy composite and 54 Croix De Fer are same size effective top tube at 545mm and a 110mm stem

iainc in response to your earlier question, mine is royal blue. It is maybe 3 or 4 years old.

Regarding sizing, there's no formula, least of all because of how different brands size differently but a very rough rule of thumb is that a CX bike will be around 1cm shorter in the top tube than the same rider's road bike, possibly with a slightly shorter stem too.

It's certainly a decent starting point anyway.

I run a Kona Major Jake - on Kenda Slant 6s in 700 x 35 for the winter gloop. Mtb much neglected atm. Just lashed out on stupidly expensive Avid Shortly Ultimates to ungrade the cantis.

I can confirm the TCX is a race focussed bike, it's stiff, light, rigged like a lightweight climbing roadie (a bit like thier TCR line) It has a longish stearer for those that want a bit more situp and beg but theres not a lot to play with about 40mm extra (I've slammed mine, but then I slam everything) I comes with connecting links for mudguards and a few other attachements (that I've ditched) so it can be a flexiable bike.
As for the build quality, certainly seems streets ahead of the competition (IMO) of the race focussed CX bikes that I looked at. There is a size issue, the best thing I think you can do is sit on one. I ride a 56 roadie with a 110mm stem for a low slung oldskool stance but the TCX size for me came in on the M/L sizing and a 100mm stem (equiv 54cm sizing) but I expected that being a CX'er.
I'm a bit miffed like some others about the SRAM disc brakes, but they are changing them FOC so I'll continue to squeeze these buggers until that happens (April I've been informed)
Only thing I've changed are the tyres, got some Grifo's on but the Std Sams are really pretty good (so I'll use them as spares)

Just out of interest - how tall are you, bikebouy?

Any idea what the TCX SLR 2 weighs?