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I'm thinking about buying a Cyclocross bike as all the decent trails are about an hours drive away so I want a bike I can jump on and have a blast from the door. I'm thinking cyclocross so I still have the ability to go off road. The last time I was on a bike with drop bars they were called Racers and the shifters were on the downtube! The BMC GF02 appeals to me but I have no clue about these type of bikes. Is there likely to be changes in standards like wheel size and fork steerer as they have recently rendered my full suss bike supposedly obsolete!
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/granfondo-gf02-disc-105-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072429 ]This is the bike I fancy[/url]
Thats a road bike, not a cyclocross bike. This is the BMC cyclocross bike: [url= http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/int-en/bikes/road/cross-crossmachine-cx01-force_cx1/ ]They do two models[/url]
It says this on the description.
"With the Granfondo GF02 Disc, discover an immensely capable platform that can ride the road, the trail, randonnee, race cyclo-cross, and commute, all with equal mastery."
I is confused.
That [i]is[/i] a cyclocross bike
Fair enough, but the BMC website doesn't have the Gran Fondo in the cyclocross section. Maybe it's too versatile.
Either way BMC are over priced and overweight, with a naff design USP similar to GTs triple triangle visual cue which people dissed 30 years ago.
Would be pretty low on any shortlist of mine and need a huge discount to be viable against other brands.
Maybe, but they are nice looking bikes and that is half the battle. I've certainly lusted over a BMC when perusing my local Evans, albeit the TeamMachines.
In short: If the OP likes that bike and it fits, then go for it. It may be worth giving a few of the other a spin, though, such as the Pinnacles and the Cannonade alternatives (I've read good things about the CAADX bikes), just to make sure the BMC is the bike for you.
Would be pretty low on any shortlist of mine and need a huge discount to be viable against other brands.
I'm open to suggestions as I have no clue about these types of bikes. In or below that price bracket. Cheers
As above, I'd get along to your local store and try a few out. The higher end Pinnacle bikes get good reviews (I've got the cheapo Arkose 1 as a winter bike) as does the Cannondale CAADX. See if you can give them a ride around the block and see which you like the most. A 105 groupset will be good, regardless of what bike it's on.
I'm hoping to get a shot of one next week. I went into Evans to have a look at the Arkose 4 but they didn't have one in. Thats when I saw the GF02. It looks really nice and feels a lot lighter than the CdF 20 I had a shot of.
In that case, if the BMC fits, and you like the way it rides, then go for it. Liking the look of a bike is a big part of the attraction, especially as there are few truly bad bikes these days, particularly at that price point.
I bought my Arkose for the exact same reason as you and it's great. They are the perfect type of bikes for what you describe (including the BMC).
the view from a mag [url= http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/bmc-granfondo-gf02-disc-105 ]Cycling Weekly[/url]
Cheers, sounds good.
I've got the road bike and I love it to bits. It's the most stable bike fast downhill and I wasn't surprised that they brought out a proper cx version (mine hasn't got discs so I can't convert it). I've done the full 245km Tour of Flanders on it twice - no problems on the cobbles- and loads of century + rides and it's proper comfortable.
I've no experience of that bike but Evans and BMC seem to work well together, I asked some tech questions of BMC direct, and they responded via Evans along with localised/uk parts advice etc. A good manufacturer/retailer symbiosis, that, pretty encouraging for future assistance, parts etc.
Love the typo in the topic
Granforno = BMC big oven 😀
After 24hrs I thought I might have got away with that. I noticed it just after the edit window slammed shut! In my defence it was predictive typing wot dun it!
Edit: Does it ride like a big oven?
I chose not to draw attention to it 