Anyone into Cyclocross? or can help me with road biking?

[Ducmonsta]

So, I've got an older Specialized Enduro Pro (2004). It's done everything I've asked of it. Having just moved to the PNW where bicycling is almost a prerequisite for moving here, I need to get something for the road. I'm not necessarily looking for a road specific bike which is why I've been led to the cyclocross stream.

Many have said that once you start getting into cyclocross it becomes addictive. Kind of like tattoos. There's a lot of pain involved but the outcome and process is thoroughly enjoyable.

My main reason for getting into road biking is for fitness. I'm not planning on doing any TRIs or anything of the sort, but this new stay at home daddy thing has got me thinking. Now is the best time to get in better shape before the economy demands that we become a 2 income family again. This is not a New Year resolution by any means. This has been something that has been on my mind since I moved to the PNW.

So, I'm looking for any fellow members that can weigh in on the pros and cons of having a cyclocross bike vs. road bike. I have done enough research to determine the obvious. Gearing for each bike, tires, and even some frame technology. Coming from a MTN bike history, I'm leaning towards a cyclocross specific bike. Mainly because you can make a cyclocross bike a road bike, but can't do the reverse.

 

[Millerad1651]

Having done an enormous amount of research on bikes in the last 6 months, and speaking with our cycling coach (15 national championships, so he knows a little bit) I'll offer my opinion.
I'd go with a hybrid/fitness bike. It has a mountain bike geometry, with road bike mannerisms. I bought a Raleigh Misceo Trail last year, and it took me anywhere I wanted to go. It was great for cruising around the neighborhood or downtown, and I could easily take it on gravel or tight packed dirt...didn't take it down any mountains or anything, but didn't want to. It didn't break the bank either, which is very easy to do.
Mine came with nice Kenda 8 tires, sort of a cyclocross tire. Smoother in the middle for the road, but knobby on the side for off-road terrain. It has a lockable fork, lock it for the road, unlock to absorb bumps and potholes.

While not a specific cyclocross bike, it is a dual purpose. Doesn't do either road or mountain great, but does both well. AS with other bikes, the better spec'd, the more expensive.

Here's mine for example...this is the 2014 model, I have the 2013...

Raleigh Bicycles - Misceo Trail 1.0

 

[Carl Fisher]

It really comes down to geometry and fit for your intended use.

To break it down to the basics:

If you're going to be tooling around mutli-use paths (bikes, walkers, joggers, skaters, etc...) then a simple cruiser style would do the trick. Think mountain bike look but road friendly tires. You'll be more upright and relatively comfortable and not need to spend so much time dialing in the perfect fit.

If you get serious about road riding, you'll want to look closer at a good road bike that fits your body type. Longer rides, higher speed, lighter, rigidity/flex for climbing or flats, etc...

A cyclocross bike is somewhere in the middle. The geometry allows for a little better manipulation of the bike and easier mounting and dismounting for cyclocross needs while maintaining the overall relative weight savings and look of a road bike. Absolutely capable both on and off road. Not as rugged as a mountain bike and not as light and nimble on the road as a road bike but still a good compromise if the fit is good.

Mountain bike of various flavors for strictly off-road riding and hard trail abuse.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I've looked into some of the hybrids out there. My only concern is the gearing. From researching what gear sets come with them, I'm afraid that I'll be looking for more speed.

I'm hoping someone with a cyclocross bike can give me their opinion on what it's like on the road vs. a dedicated road bike.

 

[Millerad1651]

I feel ya on the gearing. I'm currently building a mountain bike, and you can a get a decent 3x9 drivetrain with 11-34s for under a couple hundred bucks. Not sure if that's fast enough for ya, big it is for me. FWIW, the higher ends offer better gearing, or you can always install a better setup. I competed in a tri with my Raleigh. I by far wasn't the fastest, but I kept up with most everyone in my class. And it's comfortable for long rides.

Check out bikeforums.net if you haven't already. There is a cyclocross specific section that I'm sure will be pretty helpful.

 

[mistersnowman97]

Not exactly in the same category, but I have a Cannondale SuperSix Evo and love it.

but I'd have to add, I've never been a fan of hybrids. rather have a straight road bike.

 

[Carl Fisher]

What kind of gearing are you wanting? Mountain bike cassettes will have a big ring up in the 30+ range while road bikes will typically stop in the low to mid 20's depending on the size of the cassette.

I ride 11-23 on the road and I'll have to double check but I ended up on either a 39/53 or 36/52 front ring set (I bounced through a few and don't recall which I ended up sticking with). If you want more gearing than that, you can go with a tripple up front or a compact double. There are also touring style cassettes with bigger rings and different spreads as well.

I suppose it would help to knoow what your terrain is like that you intend to ride and what speeds you are expecting to maintain.


Sounds like you have your mind pretty set on a cyclocross for road bike use. I'm assuming due to the cost difference or are you actually planning to trail or cross course ride beyond just road riding? I can only say go ride one and find your preference that way. Find a good bike shop who knows how to do a proper fitting or no matter what bike you end up with you'll be less than happy.

 

[4x4mike]

Every bike is different and when you try to do a lot with one bike you will have compromises. CX can be difficult, especially if you race. If you don't race it's what you make of it and can be a good work out. Road riding is the same. Races can be short (crits vs. RR) and high intensity. A much different work out than if you go out for 50 -100 miles. Toss in elevation or climbing and there's even more of a workout.

I've owned a CX bike and liked it. I tried to do a lot with it and then it wasn't so much fun. Riding it on trails I would mountain bike on only made me wish I was on my MTB. On the road it wasn't as much fun as my road bike. You get the idea. I know guys that use CX and Rando bikes for a lot of things and they are just out to have a good time.

Me, I like my different bikes and each have a purpose. I'd use what you've got, set some goals and work towards them. If that means getting a road bike then search around and get one. CL and locals have great deals, the more you research and ride the more you'll know what you want.

I've got a SS MTB, hardtail MTB, fixed gear commuter, good road bike and a better road bike. All get ridden (about 5,700 miles last year) and I can always use another.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Awesome! Thanks for the quick feedback. I think you guys have solidified my thought process. In general speak...
Get a mountain bike for off road and get a road bike for on road. If you want a bike that is closer to the feel of a MTB but want to occasionally go on road, buy a hybrid. If you want a bike that is closer to the feel of a road bike but want to occasionally go off road, buy a cyclocross.

In the best, most ideal situation, you'd have a bike for every occasion.

Here's what I'm planning on getting
or
this because of the same price point

 

[Millerad1651]

Awesome! Thanks for the quick feedback. I think you guys have solidified my thought process. In general speak...
Get a mountain bike for off road and get a road bike for on road. If you want a bike that is closer to the feel of a MTB but want to occasionally go off-road, buy a hybrid. If you want a bike that is closer to the feel of a road bike but want to occasionally go off road, buy a cyclocross.

In the best, most ideal situation, you'd have a bike for every occasion.

Here's what I'm planning on getting
or
this because of the same price point

Changed the part in bold...hybrids are better for on-road with a MTB feel and design...and good for an occasional off-raod venture.

Look like you have your mind set, both of those are really nice bikes...I like the look of the Redline though!

 

[4x4mike]

I've got a couple of friends that have the hydro disc Crux's and they really like them. All of them have upgraded their wheels as the stock ones are heavy, don't seal well and break spokes. They all race CX, have road bikes as well as mountain bikes.

Personally I'd get a CX bike if I raced CX but I don't.

Cody Kaiser is pretty popular on the internet after last week at CX Nationals. He's local to me, rides with us and his Dad's shop sponsors my club and team. He's got one of every Specialized bike he wants. This is him on his CX bike, finished 3rd, U23.

Video
Video: Defying Gravity, Cody Kaiser Hops Up the Stairs Without Pedaling ? 2014 Cyclocross National Championships | Cyclocross Magazine ? Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos

 

[Millerad1651]

Ha, I was just watching videos from last weekend. Our guys did decent, one of ours finished second in Div 1, but one of our girls won her division...the girls ended up doing better then the guys. We have races on campus a lot, its pretty cool to watch.

Our school ended up winning Nationals, its pretty nuts how many championships they've won.

 

[TexasAg]

Bobby - both are great choices. I just picked up a Giant TCX this year and started CX. Whoa is that stuff tough! I've been wanting a CX bike for several seasons and was waiting for hydro disc to make it's way into the bikes then blammo-SRAM issues a recall and the bike has been relegated to the trainer for the past month or so. Get the CX bike and an extra set of wheels, put some slicks for the road and keep the knobbies for the mud/snow/dirt. You will love it, plus with the road wheels you can put a different cassette from your dirt wheels if you want different gearing. I'm hoping to get in some gravel rides this early spring on the CX. I think an aluminum frame bike with bigger sidewall tires should smooth out the ride like a carbon bike would. Only time will tell.

My stable:
MTB Hardtail (Klein Adroit), fancy road bike (Cervelo R3) and CX bike (Giant TCX SLR)

 

[Ducmonsta]

Bobby - both are great choices. I just picked up a Giant TCX this year and started CX. Whoa is that stuff tough! I've been wanting a CX bike for several seasons and was waiting for hydro disc to make it's way into the bikes then blammo-SRAM issues a recall and the bike has been relegated to the trainer for the past month or so. Get the CX bike and an extra set of wheels, put some slicks for the road and keep the knobbies for the mud/snow/dirt. You will love it, plus with the road wheels you can put a different cassette from your dirt wheels if you want different gearing. I'm hoping to get in some gravel rides this early spring on the CX. I think an aluminum frame bike with bigger sidewall tires should smooth out the ride like a carbon bike would. Only time will tell.

My stable:
MTB Hardtail (Klein Adroit), fancy road bike (Cervelo R3) and CX bike (Giant TCX SLR)

Funny you bring this up. I've been in contact with a guy that's within 2 hrs drive from me and he's got a Specialized Carbon Crux with an extra set of Roval Fusee with road tires on them. And he's got it at a pretty decent price considering the extra wheel set with a road geared cassette. I'm currently trying to find a specialty bike shop that can do a "pre-purchase" inspection for me. I'm nervous about the carbon frame and I don't know what to specifically look for when it comes to stress and wear.

 

[TexasAg]

Best thing to do is to wash the bike. Pay special attention to the bottom bracket head tube and seat tube. Run your fingers around the joints feeling for cracks. I'm not too familiar with Specialized warranty but most only offer warranty to the original owner. Some mfg also only offer a limited warranty on carbon frames but do offer a discount on crash replacement frames. I know the Crux Pro Race Red Disc came with 2 sets of wheels, one was clinchers and the other was tubulars. Of course if it is that one then you will have to go through the SRAM recall. Find a Specialized dealer by you and talk with a mechanic there.

 

[ebg18t]

I may be more of a traditionalist but after racing CX here and in Europe I much prefer a Ti frame for CX. Weighs a tad more than carbon, but IMHO has a more solid feel. Unless you are after the look stick to a 28-32 spoke traditional wheel. They are much easier to tru if something happens in the feild. Again I reserve lower spoke/lighter wheels for race day.

But as mentioned earlier you really need a dedicated road bike, HT mtn bike, DS mtn bike and a CX bike.

I have retired from racing, but still do some coaching/consulting for a few people.