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Complete newbie in need of tips/advice Cyclocross vs Road

by Bingo-Pajama
Fri, May 12, 2017 17:49
32

Hi all

I'm a complete newbie having only rode mountain bikes on trail for years.  I haven't rode in a long time as a year and a half ago I had a pretty decent knee injury and I'm only now at the tail end of the physio.  However just as I begin prepping to get back on two wheels some **expletives redacted** broke into my garage and stole my beloved Stumpy.   As a result I thought now was as good a time as ever to get out on the road (as this meets my commuting / physio needs better), I'm also 40 and not in need of any new mtb injuries!

I think i'd still like to do some trail even if it's fairly calm stuff but I also really want to be able to get out with a friend who is an out and out road bike man. Will I (current fitness/knee aside) struggle to keep a decent pace on a cyclocross.  I'm also worried that I'll get the bug for road and wish I hadn't gone full cyclo.  However, I have got to come to terms with a) drop bars, b) the insanity of cleats, and c) sphincter imploding bald/narrow tyres - hence my lean towards cross!

Final factor is that as it's an insurance replacement I'm limited to a specific company albeit with a decent enough selection for my needs and budget.  Test riding my shortlists will be time consuming and tricky as it will be ordered online so I've got to somehow track these down without being identified as a timewaster (which technically i will be!)

Top end is £1300 but I don't know how much to take off for the necessary gear. I know there's no one size fits all answer but if any of these are absolute no-no's it'll help me with getting out and finding them to test.

Options based on top end are:

Road - Cube SL Road Sl 2017 -  really like the look and spec but cannot find any info on this one. it's also flat bar which appeals. Orbea Avant M40 - again no real reviews (flat bar). Giant TCR Advanced 3 - this has already been recommended and gives me £100 change to contribute towards pedals . Merida Ride 500.

Cyclocross - Cannndale CAADX 105 - I really like this for all reasons, good spec, gives me change and is a nice cross.  Cube Cross Race Pro. Giant TCX SLR 2.

Or is there a recommended bike for around £1000 leavingme with enough money to buy the rest of the gear?

Any help is greatly appreciated as I'm going around in circles and this is before I even sit on one of these devil's machines 1

Cheers

Ryan

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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32 comments

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kevvjj replied to HalfWheeler | 7 years ago
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HalfWheeler wrote:

I've got three bikes; road bike, CX and MTB.

I can honestly say that my favourite of them all is the CX bike. You can do plenty of miles on a CX bike, just as many as a road bike, and in much more comfort (but not at the same speed).  A £1000 will buy you plenty of bike (of any type). A few years ago I went for the Cube Cross Race. Love it to bits. Cube bikes are great value and look pretty as a picture (although they do cut costs in things like headsets and hubs; keep a good eye on them for maintenance).

This^^

I have recently purchased a GT Grade Alloy X (2016 model under a £1000 at Wiggle at the moment). I now have three bikes with my MTB & roadie. My go-to bike almost every time is the GT Grade. It rides beautifully on the road and I have no problems keeping up on club runs. It's a bit slower on the hills but that all makes for good training. Off-road I have taken it everywhere I have ridden my MTB - it's a different style of riding (not having any suspension) but the bottom line is it's FUN! If I'm going to do 120 miles on the road at a good pace, I take the roadie. If I'm going to ride steep rocky (very) technical trails I take the MTB. For everything else the GT Grade is the bike of choice. Just having the choice of heading out for a road ride and knowing that any bridleway/trail etc is available at whim really makes for varied and exciting routes.

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skwarczek | 7 years ago
0 likes

Im in the same prediciment, never ridden a drop bar bike but have been tempted by these:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ Search for bike of the week and the below comes up.

Ribble Sportive Racing Shimano 105 SE

good customisable options. Few other places out there, Dolan, Planet X, evans and a few others. 

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