Road bike, cyclocross...suggestion?

[mysrh]

Hi first post here, I'm in Perth, Australia. Thinking to upgrade my bike.
My current bike is 10 years old, MTB style and weighs 16.5 kg. All my life I never tried a real good design bikes, so I have no clue how it feels.

Throughout the time, eventhough I don't bike regularly, I do feel things that I want to be improved for my new bike, such as weight, gears, or correct bike size.

Now, I usually ride on pedestrian path, sometimes on road. I don't dare riding on the road the whole time because I still feel insecured with the cars passing next to me. I ride bike mostly for commuting, and once a year doing charity bike ride.

Having researched many websites, I come to the point that road bike or cyclocross would be the good bike for me. Then comes where I have to choose between one of them.

So far I gather that cyclocross is ideal for my needs, however, I also read that cyclocross isn't as light as roadbike. But I have no clue how much the difference is, and if I can get away with it.

Is cyclocross weight much different then the weight of my old bike in average?
With roadbike, will it reduce its durability over time if I ride it on pedestrian paths? I mean the paths are not smooth flat like roadway.

Thanks for any advice, I'll add more if I have anymore questions.

 

[gclark8]

I am in Perth and have not seen any cyclocross bikes in any local shops. The way to go would be to have a road bike and a MTB for the rough stuff. Even my GF does that, a Felt F 100 road bike, and an Apollo Panther MTB with 1.75 tyres and a 11-28 cassette for local rides.

Another friend got a Giant OCR3 on special last week for $780. The Giant MTBs are cheap at the moment too.

 

[mysrh]

Can I have a comparison description of the two bikes below:

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/2006-RLADULT-specs_files/CONQUEST-PRO.htm



http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/2006-RLADULT-specs_files/CONQUEST.htm



Much appreciated!

 

[gclark8]

The specs look good, but, who sells it in Perth and at what price?? A MTB and a road bike may be a bettter way to go.

 

[mysrh]

The specs look good, but, who sells it in Perth and at what price?? A MTB and a road bike may be a bettter way to go.

I've already got old MTB, and I hate the weight. I always love roadbike since kids, but knowing it is a bike to be ridden on road, that puts me off as I don't do group cyclings (would like to try though) and I don't always ride on road (too scared ^-^).

I just happened to find one after thinking of giving up. It was on Canning Hwy.
Ace Cyclery is the shop's name. The COnquest is $1800, Pro is $2890, but the seller said can give better price.

I'm going to ask if anyone in Perth knows other LBS that can have cyclocross