Cyclocross - Bikes and Thoughts?

Take a look at the Scott CX Comp. For a bike w/discs, the Raleigh RX-2 has'em with a good spec.

Get one that does step ups

http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v1/y2/r/5l8_EVv_jyW.swf?v=10200089142298039&ev=0

I would go with discs. I wasn't happy with the brakes that came on my crosscheck, and I don't care for the Shorty 6s that are on there now. Not enough power with either of them.

My best friend's wife has a Specialized Crux Elite Disc that I've thrown a leg over a few times. I REALLY like that bike, and I am 245# of man love. I didn't feel it flex when I rode it over some rocks/roots/off a curb.

Best bang for your buck will be a Raleigh. Been thrashing them for years and they continue to take the abuse. Don't bother getting anything spendy or something you will care too much about because you will thrash the bike. It makes it nice when you can just pressure wash the phuck out of it, cover it with wd40 and not even lose sleep over until the next race.

I race just to have fun and stay in shape

Haven't ridden one, but the Ion CX looks decent. It has fender and rack mounts if that matters to you. No discs, but at least they mount the brake cable hanger on the fork. If you don't get discs, at least try to get a bike that does this or can do it. Not all bikes have this problem, but a good number of CX bikes can have issues with fork flex during braking, which causes squealing and shuddering. I had a cx bike a while back and could never get rid of this problem.

Also, more generally, I think a cx bike is a good idea for the type of stuff you are suggesting. I never raced cx but built a bike up because of an abundance of easy trails near where I lived previously. I could string together fun rides on dirt roads, doubletrack, singletrack and pavement. Good times.

My advice is to buy the best deal in your area, and make sure it fits you well. Cross bikes use all the same generic parts as a road bike, with alittle more tire clearance, and a few tweaks to geometry. That sounds grossly oversimplified, but its really not that far from the truth. There's no reason to get nerdy over numbers right now.

Shifter quality is more important than derailleurs. If shopping Shimano, you really want 105 shifters for their shape and general quality, and the SRAM stuff is good all around. Stock wheelsets are universally heavy, don't sweat them. Discs are rad as hell, but aren't widely available yet this season (will be next). If you find a bike with canti's that fits the bill, then the TRP CX9's are the raddest rim brake going, and will be appreciated by your mountain bike brain. Don't listen to cyclocross race nerds or read their forums for atleast 1 year. Or ever.

I got a cross bike for free some time ago, expecting to turn around and sell it for mountain bike parts. Fast forwarding to now, I honestly can't be without one. Between all my bikes, it sees the most saddle time because it has the longest usable season. Centuries with road tires? Rad post-work pedals from your doorstep that turn otherwise boring city trails into an awesome time? Looking on google maps for any stretch of green that might harbor old abandoned atv trails? Racing on weekends? Cross is rad.



Don't do this.

Go with bike polo. At least it will get you laid.