I'm looking to buy a flat bar road bike for general cross training and commuting. After going through all of the specifications and trying a few of the options I've narrowed the list down to the CRX 2, Felt SR91 and either the Norco FBR1 or Mirage. I haven't seen much on the Norco bikes but they seem well specced for the price. Has anyone actually got much experience with them?
(I deleted the Jamis Coda serious, which I really liked for the steel frame, but it isn't available at the LBS or even in the State by the looks of it).
I guess its what is available in your local area, my short list was Felt SR#, Avanti Blade #, Specialised Sirrus, Giant Perigee, but with the new Giant CRX becoming the replacement for the Perigee, the CRX then took 2nd spot. So, for my first FB Road Bike I chose the Felt SR81.
I also had a FB MTB with slicks, my spare bike, until Thursday. I am replacing it with a new small frame bike, the choice is down to a Felt SR81-650 and a CRX2 XS size, it will be ridden by two short friends. 🙂 (not on the same day)
As of 9:30 this morning the decision was made (I've been looking for a month or more). And the winner is .... the CRX 2 with a Stelle Italia aaddle and Shimano wheels.[img]cyclingforums.comicon7.gifOpen ↗[/img]
The LBS selling Felt wasn't prepared to deal at all even though they had a SR81 in my size that I would've taken for cash (dollars not card) 😕 but the LBS with the Giant was. Norco would have meant waiting for at least 5 days and that was no longer an option (My old road bike has a cracked frame and the rear derailer is bent).
So I took my nice shiny bike home and even though it was raining decided to try it out. It's not as shiny anymore, since slicks, rain, concrete and dumb drivers 😠 don't go together. Very slow speed fall into the weeds.
Summary....Bought new bike, had first ride and first crash all within 3 hours.😄
Very minor. Just ran out of room an tried manouvering in a concrete car park. Fortunately I wound up in a turfed strip. Kind of slowed down in a hurry (mud) and very slowly toppled over before I could clear the pedal.
😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball! The only reason I went for the 1 over 2 is that weight is a real issue with me. I need the lightest bike to lift in and out of cars and carry up railway station steps ect. I have had to have the brakes adjusted because of my small hands and I wish my left thumb was a tad longer to change up, but apart from that I find the bike wonderful. Light, responsive, fast and loads of fun. Touch-wood no falls yet! :o I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I enjoy mine!
😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball! The only reason I went for the 1 over 2 is that weight is a real issue with me. I need the lightest bike to lift in and out of cars and carry up railway station steps ect. I have had to have the brakes adjusted because of my small hands and I wish my left thumb was a tad longer to change up, but apart from that I find the bike wonderful. Light, responsive, fast and loads of fun. Touch-wood no falls yet! :o I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I enjoy mine!
Man pity about the crash... i love my crx 1 and hope u enjoy yours !!! Ben
[quote="WiseSal"]😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball!
Weight is not really an issue for me (ex prop forward). I would've preferred the CRX1 (for the carbon fork) but the LBS didn't have one in stock. Since the CRX1 and 2 use the same frame I'll probably replace the fork. Of course I'll need to paint the bike black then.
I was a bit worried about how the flat bar and geometry would go on longer rides but I've now done some rides around the 40k mark and I was quite comfortable. The biggest problem is water since it is still in the low 30's up here.
Of course now that I actually spent the money and bought a new bike for the first time in ten years I'm thinking..why stop at one. There's a nice old road racer there with horizontal dropouts that would make a great single speed. And then there is trail riding and I really should get a bike for that not thrash the CRX.......
Go for it!! I use my son's mtn bike for off rd and love the fact that I lose my husband on our morning fitness ride, whereas on my old bike we were pretty much the same.
