[Closed] Which of these two cx bikes would you buy?

The Vitus has the better spec but the Dale has the better frame. Tough choice!

What are you using it for? Racing or riding?

As LS says, the Vitus is much better spec, but it’s only single ring up front.
Perfect for racing on, but probably not ideal for normal day to day riding.

Also, do you have any preference over the shifting system? Sram would be my first choice, but I know people who hate it!

Personally I would go for the Vitus, but I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either!

The groupset spec is a lot better on the Vitus. I'd go for that. Had a Cannondale and the frames are good, but it doesn't make up for the decent wheels/brakes etc on the Vitus. Cannondale wheels are particularly low rent.

At that price the Dale.

Id be using it as a winter bike for all surfaces I suppose. No racing, so just general riding.

Id be using it as a winter bike for all surfaces I suppose. No racing, so just general riding.

In which case why is your choice between two CX race bikes? 😕

Something like an Arkos might be a better choice ([url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-3-2017-adventure-road-bike-EV275624 ]here[/url]) as a do it all bike.

In which case why is your choice between two CX race bikes?

because

I know little about cx bikes

The Vitus, but only if you held a gun to my head and told me I had no choice but to buy a CX bike.

edward2000 - Member

because

I know little about cx bikes

cyclocross is a brutal race format, cx bikes *should* be designed to be brutally fast for 1 hour, nothing more.

they're not meant to be comfy for a few hours, they may not have bolt-ons for mudguards, panniers, etc.

of course, here in the real world, you may well find yourself perfectly comfortable on a cx bike, with all the bolt-ons you could ever dream of.

personally, i'm still happy with 2 or 3 chainrings on a 'road bike' - and if i was allowed to look at new bikes, i'd be looking at a genesis CDA...

In which case why is your choice between two CX race bikes?

The Vitus has mudguard mounts, not very racey. Likewise plenty of people have raced Arkose.

Marketing =/= reality.

Other similar price and spec, Boardman CX Team (£900, plus BC discount, plus quidco, plus any voucher codes you can find brings it to about £700) and Planet-X XLA.

I know little about cx bikes

Ah ok 🙂

So open to suggestions outside those two choices then?

What sort of mix of road / gravel / mud? Tricky trails? A bike for making progress or pootling / exploring?

Definately open to suggestions, about 1k. All sorts of trails, and i prefer to make progress rather than pootle!

i'd be looking at a genesis CDA...

I like Genesis but you always seem to get a spec about one level lower than you'd expect at any price point. I'd be happy with Tiagra on a 1000 quid alu framed bike, but maybe not Sora.

nothing at all wrong with sora...

nothing at all wrong with sora...

Any good? £1050.00, carbon, discs, 20 speed...
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/gt-grade-carbon-tiagra-2017-adventure-road-bike-grey_378774

nothing at all wrong with sora...

I know. But at that price point you'd be expecting at least Tiagra, which right now is very good. And I think there's more of a jump from Sora to Tiagra than Tiagra to 105. And it's 9 speed 😕

[slight hijack]

I quite like roadie 9spd... (cheap, reliable, did i mention cheap?)

[/slight hijack]

I quite like roadie 9spd... (cheap, reliable, cheap)

Is ok but you either end up with less teeth at the back or a more gappy cassette, and I really don't like gappy cassettes.

Id be using it as a winter bike for all surfaces I suppose. No racing, so just general riding.

Either would be ideal for exactly that.

Any good? £1050.00, carbon, discs, 20 speed...
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/gt-grade-carbon-tiagra-2017-adventure-road-bike-grey_378774

I was assuming the bike i was after would have knobblyish tyres

I have a CAADX and find it very versatile - great bike, only real drawback is the stock wheels which are v heavy, tubed, a cup and cone hub [although some people prefer these], plus one of mine was built poorly.

A set of tank CX wheels is actually a good idea if you're putting it over the rocks - a light wheelset would get hammered. But for general riding around they're poor. Would strongly recommend getting tubeless set up from the off if you're riding anywhere rough.

Was actually looking at that specific 105 model as a second bike for racing. Bit embarrassing for mid-pack riders to be swapping bikes, though, should probably improve before doing that.

Would the pinnacle arkose be a suitable alternative?

Think it really depends what you're after.

It's that balance between road/gravel/dirt. I think the Akrose is probably more towards road/gravel and a bit of dirt. Though much depends on what tyres you fit. And for dirt, again what type of dirt? If it's racing round a muddy field with tight twisty bits then a CX race bike is great. If it's proper trails with roots and rocks then some sort of monster cross thing with fatter tyres might be better.

I'd get the Cannondale. Better frame. You can upgrade the other parts (or not) as time goes on.

Other suggestions...

Boardman CX Team, excellent "bang for buck", rides nicely too.

GT Grade, great frame, takes 'guards and rack too.

I'd buy the boardman over either of the two you're looking at

Garry_Lager - Member
Bit embarrassing for mid-pack riders to be swapping bikes, though, should probably improve before doing that.

Plenty do though.. including myself if I can bribe soemeone to be a pit monkey. Doubt I'd have finished last sunday without a bike swap

Kinesis crossight? Plenty are raced, they're pretty light and not too expensive. I've got a sent of "posh" Hunt wheels for careful rides and a set of Hope XC tech wheels for everything else.

It also can take full guards and a rear rack

Of those two? The Vitus

Reason being- hydraulic brakes. At the 1k point you're looking I wouldn't take one that didn't have them. Upgrading to them later is expensive (as in, you'd be a reasonable chunk to a new frame. I think arkose frames were going for a fair bit less than hydro brifters at evans last clearout).

1x vs 2x is broadly personal preference, I favour 1x...

The boardman wins however- 10-42 cassette straight off and the groupset is nicer.