Cyclocross VS Road Bike

thelokat said:

So the question is, how much of a difference would there be in purchasing this bicycle as opposed to a standard road bicycle?

Compared to a road bike, a cyclocross bike is usually:

• slightly heavier because of more durable frame/fork construction
  
• geared lower for steep climbs
  
• has a higher bottom bracket for clearing obstacles
  
• has more top tube standover clearance
  
• has wider spaced seat stays for larger tires
  
• has room for fenders
  

I have 2 friends with that bike. They love it. If the deal is right and you are looking mostly for a good commuter bike then it is a great choice. It has braze ons as well, so adding a rack to carry paniers is a breeze. Easy to fir with fenders as well for those wet days rides where you don't want to show up at work all covered in dirt and spray.

On the other hand if you want to do group rides and put the hammer down then maybe not the best option.

Yeah it's definitely just for commuting. I like having options open to me though.

TKOS said:

I have 2 friends with that bike. They love it. If the deal is right and you are looking mostly for a good commuter bike then it is a great choice. It has braze ons as well, so adding a rack to carry paniers is a breeze. Easy to fir with fenders as well for those wet days rides where you don't want to show up at work all covered in dirt and spray.

On the other hand if you want to do group rides and put the hammer down then maybe not the best option.

@Scotty_Dog: What does that translate to in terms of riding comfort for longer distances? Will it be more tiring or uncomfortable?

Riding long distances doesn't seem an issue for my friends. They do 100K rides on those bikes without issue.

thelokat said:

@Scotty_Dog: What does that translate to in terms of riding comfort for longer distances? Will it be more tiring or uncomfortable?

Comfort is dependent on bike fit and personal fitness. People ride all sorts of different bike types for long distances. A true road bike should get you from point A to point B faster than a cyclocross bike because it is lighter and puts you in a lower aerodynamic position. Therefore, a road bike should be less "tiring" than a cyclocross bike. How much so would simply be a wild guess on my part.

thelokat said:

@Scotty_Dog: What does that translate to in terms of riding comfort for longer distances? Will it be more tiring or uncomfortable?

I just got a Cannondale CX bike this week, and already have a stable of road bikes, so can offer a direct comparison.

The CX bike is more upright with a higher front end, so gives a less stretched out position. This feels more comfortable and stable than a more racey road bike position. My first thoughts jumping on the bike were "I could ride this all day without an issue" and I immediately saw why so many people get them as commuters. Bigger tyres, space for full mudguards etc and it all makes sense, BUT, and its a big but IMHO, the cantilever brakes are a big step down in performance from calipers especially when riding on the hoods. As long as you can keep them set up correctly they will be OK but on London roads I'd be a little nervous frankly, and on my first couple of road rides to shakedown the bike I was constantly nervous about their performance when needed. Not a deal breaker by any means, but IMHO its something to be aware of. I'd still jump at getting a CX bike for commuting on personally, and of course, you can race on it as well 😄

But it is those brakes on the cyclocross bike that allow you to use the nice wider tires and mudflaps. Keeping them well maintained shouldn't be an issue.

thelokat said:

Hey all.

I've recently made a decision to get involved in cycling. Living in London you see people on bikes all the time but I'm completely new to them myself. I'm a fairly fit guy looking to work on his cardio and save money all in one by cycling in to university on a daily basis. A to B is around 13 miles, all road, hence ideally I want a road bike

Problem lies in purchasing that first bike. I've looked at quite a few road bikes and I'm whittling down my choices however I saw a great deal on a "Kona Major Jake" 2007 model (modified with quality parts and weighing in at 22 lbs) at my local bike store that has been fitted with road specific tyres. So the question is, how much of a difference would there be in purchasing this bicycle as opposed to a standard road bicycle?

Any other comments or questions please feel free to add/ask.

Cheers

I'm looking at cyclocross bikes too; as a commuter bike.

Being a 'Clydesdale' is one reason but also I like the fact that it's built like a sturdy/beefed-up road bike. If I have to leave the road for one reason or another, or if road surface conditions are poor I know that the bike can handle it. And tire options are almost unlimited. In addition, I love the gearing selection similar to mountain bikes.

Ideally, I'd like a dedicated road bike. But since most of my cycling will be commuting (70%), then training (30%), I find the cyclocross an excellent compromise. To the casual observer a cyclocross bike looks just like a dedicated road bike.

They also should have the extra brake levers. So you don't have to ride the hoods when in town and traffic. Very nice if you want to ride sitting up.