[Zark]

I've been recently considering dipping into the dark side. I've been mtb riding for almost 15yrs but have only been on 2 or 3 road rides. So I'm looking at road riding as a nice way to mix up my riding and better my fitness for mtb's. I'm kinda thinking of a cx bike (Spec Tricross) I figure its good enough a road bike for my purposes and more versatile, maybe hit some fireroads and mellow singletrack I'm not sure if its going to suck on the road though.

My other dilemma is alloy or carbon or a hybrid frame. Are carbon bikes that much better than aluminum to justify the cost? Is having a carbon seatstay a suitable compromise?

I'm looking at Specialized bikes mostly, but my shop sells Giant and Trek. I'm not a fan of Trek's paired spoke wheel spec. I see way too many with broken spokes and warranty claims. The Giants look....ugly. I know that shouldn't matter. I'm looking at the Tarmac comp, Roubaix comp, Tricross comp and Allez elite. The 2010 Elite has carbon seatstays and the 09 is all alloy.

 

[CBJ]

I did the same this year and I really like it as an daily alternative to weekend DH and I am now in really good shape. I bought a Tarmac and love the ride fast but still very comfortable.

 

[loco-gringo]

I am very happy with a Tarmac. If you want all day comfort, the Roubaix is a nice compromise, but I just didn't love it. A carbon CX bike could be my next one.

 

[Westy]

I use my road bike on dirt roads quite a bit. I think a set of larger (25mm+) road tires makes for a rather versatile bike. A CX bike will work well all around but riding real knobby tires on the road kind of sucks, having a set of slick tires to swap out would be nice.

Since you are coming from a downhill background the first thing you should do is shuttle yourself to the top of the steepest twistiest canyon road and blast down.

 

[James]

I've been recently considering dipping into the dark side. I've been mtb riding for almost 15yrs but have only been on 2 or 3 road rides. So I'm looking at road riding as a nice way to mix up my riding and better my fitness for mtb's. I'm kinda thinking of a cx bike (Spec Tricross) I figure its good enough a road bike for my purposes and more versatile, maybe hit some fireroads and mellow singletrack I'm not sure if its going to suck on the road though.

My other dilemma is alloy or carbon or a hybrid frame. Are carbon bikes that much better than aluminum to justify the cost? Is having a carbon seatstay a suitable compromise?

I'm looking at Specialized bikes mostly, but my shop sells Giant and Trek. I'm not a fan of Trek's paired spoke wheel spec. I see way too many with broken spokes and warranty claims. The Giants look....ugly. I know that shouldn't matter. I'm looking at the Tarmac comp, Roubaix comp, Tricross comp and Allez elite. The 2010 Elite has carbon seatstays and the 09 is all alloy.

Too bad you guys don't sell Felt...

Noah on a road bike. This is a day I thought I'd never see. Isn't this one of the signs of the coming apocalypse?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

A few years ago I picked up a Scott 'cross bike (I'm a bigger guy...so it works out better for me...) It's never seen dirt/gravel paths...and I've got 25c slicks on it for commuting. It's pretty heavily gusseted and works just dandy for road riding (I logged 3100 miles last year alone). The one thing I will say is that it's an all aluminum frame (carbon fork) with an alu seatpost. It does get a little punishing at times. Go carbon 'cross. Word.

 

[James]

Well???

 

[ire]

Well???

I bought a Scott Addict CX...oh wait....are you asking Zark??

 

[TreeSaw]

I've been debating selling my road bike and getting a cross bike. I don't like the fit/feel of my road bike and I do have the opportunity to ride some dirt during my commute (15.5 miles). I really don't do long road rides...my longest has been 52 miles. Am I crazy?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I've been debating selling my road bike and getting a cross bike. I don't like the fit/feel of my road bike and I do have the opportunity to ride some dirt during my commute (15.5 miles). I really don't do long road rides...my longest has been 52 miles. Am I crazy?

I'm doing a double century this coming weekend on my cross bike. (slick tires...but whatev.) So they can do distance...

 

[TreeSaw]

I'm doing a double century this coming weekend on my cross bike. (slick tires...but whatev.) So they can do distance...

Good to know! How does sizing on your Cross bike compare with your XC bike?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Good to know! How does sizing on your Cross bike compare with your XC bike?

Heh...that's sort of a trick question for me...My cross bike turns out to be a 58cm frame...I'm 6'7" and really need a 63-65cm frame to be truly comfortable...but I make due. My XC/FR bike (which fits perfectly) is an '07 XL Turner RFX if that helps.

 

[ire]

I ride a lot of gravel and trails on my CX bikes....w/slick tires even. My cross bikes are the most fun to ride, and most comfortable.

 

[James]

I bought a Scott Addict CX...oh wait....are you asking Zark??

My coworker is trying to get me to upgrade to Di2, which he says I need a new "team" frame for. So hard to argue with him when he's 5 feet away , and getting the same upgrades...sigh...

 

[ire]

My coworker is trying to get me to upgrade to Di2, which he says I need a new "team" frame for. So hard to argue with him when he's 5 feet away , and getting the same upgrades...sigh...

Sounds like its new bike time for you!

 

[James]

Sounds like its new bike time for you!

I just got three in June though!

 

[CBJ]

Does anybody really use Di2?

 

[James]

Does anybody really use Di2?

I think because of the pricing, it's still somewhat rare, but it's really a revelation to ride it. Especially the front shifting, it's flawless 100% of the time, out of the saddle, no problem. Auto-trim so it doesn't rub the chain either. So cool.

 

[loco-gringo]

I just got three in June though!

Any more talk like there is a max number of bikes you may get in a month will get you neg repped mister.

 

[CBJ]

I think because of the pricing, it's still somewhat rare, but it's really a revelation to ride it. Especially the front shifting, it's flawless 100% of the time, out of the saddle, no problem. Auto-trim so it doesn't rub the chain either. So cool.

That does sound really nice. Especially the auto trim part. It will take a while before I can justify Di2 upgrade. I saw a frame at R & A Cycles where the Di2 cables were integrated in the frame, it looked really slick.

 

[James]

Any more talk like there is a max number of bikes you may get in a month will get you neg repped mister.

Well, it is July now, so maybe I could get "just one more..."
I have a build kit, so I'm 70% there!
But that means one has to go. Want to buy a Colnago CLX frame?

It was a good month though, didn't expect to get any, or wasn't planning on it anyway.

That does sound really nice. Especially the auto trim part. It will take a while before I can justify Di2 upgrade. I saw a frame at R & A Cycles where the Di2 cables were integrated in the frame, it looked really slick.

It is really, really cool. I would love to have some on my bike, and yes, the Di2-specific frames are super cool, so clean. Trek's new Madone does a really good job of that, even the battery mount, really really nice.
If I get it I might do some custom drilling to route it internally, we'll see.

 

[CBJ]

Treks custom build program is pretty cool too. I am impressed that there are so many options even tires in many different colors and not crazy pricing even looks pretty good too compare with other 2010 bikes I have seen lately.

 

[TreeSaw]

I just got three in June though!

And Sq-Earl is trying to tell me I can't get a new bike because I got one in December!