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I fancy buying a cheapish one for use over the winter months. A quick blast on the roads to grizedale, lap of the forest then home in time for tea. I could do this on my mtb but its depressingly slow on the road.
So, how do they ride on the road? Obviously not as quick as a road bike but Im guessing the tires and lack of suspension mean you can maintain acceptable speeds.
What about sizing? Do you size down slightly from a road bike? Or use the same size but run a short stem?
Brakes? Cantis or discs?
Any recommendations for something 2nd hand? I'd probably like something made from steel
Much better on the road than an mtb especially if you put a few extra pounds in the tyres.
Mine is the same nominal size as I would use on a road bike but like you say much shorter.
Cantis or discs? My next one will probably have discs but there aren't that many out there right now as they've only fairly recently been made race legal. You might struggle to pick up a cheap one with discs but cantis are ok.
I 'think' the current thinking is same size as your road bike.
I use mine as a road bike over winter with some road tyres fitted. The compact chainset is a welcome component in the cold wind rain and snow.
Stem length doesn't need to alter. And cantis are fine, not as good as road dual pivots or discs, but they work okay.
You notice the difference on road if your used to a very stiff road frame, especially on the climbs otherwise just a bit slower than a full on road bike.
My cross bike has a 1cm shorter top tube than my road bike, cantilever brakes and 10spd Campag.
The frame is much, much stuffer than any of my other bikes (with the exception of my Chameleon), and with road tires is plenty fast enough for the majority of road riding. The main difference is that the handling is slightly slower compared to a good road bike.
i'm using a kinesis crosslight 5t for just about everything and works well and can be picked up really cheap, i recommend going 2nd hand on as much as possible for your cx bike as it will see some abuse and look a bit worn in no time at all over winter. i'm happy with my cantis and i come from a mtb disc background not a roady one
Thanks all. Any recommendations for a steel cross frame and fork?
Cotic X..... Look good, will fit the STW mould and will take disc brakes.
Personally, think steel frames are shite, but Hey Ho!
cross check
Personally, think steel frames are shite, but Hey Ho!
How come?
The only reason I'd like a steel one is because Ive had Alu and Carbon road bikes and I'd like to see what steel is like for a road bike. And its generally quite durable.
Just got a Giant TCX3 - finding it a very versatile beast at the mo.
Great as a winter road bike, giving options to go off road. Living in the Lakes, I can take a mixed commute home - loads of options. I've got a Ti frame (second hand) and started with discs front and rear, but now run just a front disc. The Bikemonger fella is selling Jake frames at the moment - they're steel aren't they - £250 from memory.
I use mine for exploring as it will go anywhere. Have a slightly smaller frame than I would on a road bike as it feels nicer when I'm off road and a bit more nimble. If I was buying again I'd get discs as the cantis are pretty rubbish but they force you to think ahead more and chose your lines carefully. I've got a focus mares ax2 and love it. The genesis cross bikes look great.