CX Bike
- mogwaiboi
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CX Bike
Postby mogwaiboi » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:51 pm
I'm looking to buy an entry level CX bike to add to the stable in the next month or so. I'm keen to explore some dirt / gravel tracks and have an alternative to road riding. I've narrowed it down to the Giant TCX SLR 2 ($1900) and Cannondale CAADX 105 ($2200). They both have TRP mech disc brakes which I have read mostly good things about. Does anyone here have experience with those specific brakes? I'm not so keen on spending more on a full 105 hydraulic groupset as those bulbous 105 hoods look like they would be uncomfortable, and I have read plenty of things saying exactly that. Also think I would be happy enough with standard 105 as long as it had a 32 on the back for any steep dirt action, but curious to know if anyone thinks it's worthwhile going to the next level up for SRAM Apex or Rival 1? Any other brands/models I should consider?
- cyclotaur
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Re: CX Bike
Postby cyclotaur » Mon Dec 05, 2016 3:23 pm
Newer 11-sp 105 (which I have on another bike) is great and I personally wouldn't pay more for SRAM Apex.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby familyguy » Mon Dec 05, 2016 4:32 pm
My Alan CX runs Centaur with a Tiagra compact crank, but it's got canti brakes.
Second hand you'd get some screaming deals now surely? But only if that floats your boat.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby lone rider » Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:11 pm
- mogwaiboi
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Re: CX Bike
Postby mogwaiboi » Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:37 pm
- Thoglette
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Thoglette » Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:56 pm
Theoretically* you want a "gravel grinder". Halfway between a CX bike and a tourer.mogwaiboi wrote: I'm keen to explore some dirt / gravel tracks and have an alternative to road riding.
Frankly, anything that can fit 35mm tyres will do nicely, with some file profile tyres (unless you're expecting mud or wet grass_)
*I'm so old I remember a time when there were just three types of bikes. BMX, MTB and Road.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby koshari » Mon Dec 05, 2016 7:57 pm
I pretty much set up my own "gravel grinder" by putting drops, 35mm tires and a compact double on my old giant CRX.Thoglette wrote: Theoretically* you want a "gravel grinder". Halfway between a CX bike and a tourer.
Frankly, anything that can fit 35mm tyres will do nicely, with some file profile tyres (unless you're expecting mud or wet grass_)
- Mulger bill
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Mulger bill » Mon Dec 05, 2016 9:26 pm
Doing the job nicely for me on 4600 brifters. EDIT, steel road frame.
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- limetang
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Re: CX Bike
Postby limetang » Tue Dec 06, 2016 12:07 am
Even when the shop swapped out the rotors to SRAM centreline for free, the braking was still worse than Sora rim brakes!
They are ok for me now, but I have installed Ice-tech rotors and metallic pads. Good enough to do the job but if I could get hydraulic for a few hundred more I would.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby AUbicycles » Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:49 am
A CX / Gravel style bike that has caught my eye is the Niner RLT 9. Unfortunately the complete bikes are a bit out of budget (with the Australia Tax) - but they are great eye candy.
- mogwaiboi
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Re: CX Bike
Postby mogwaiboi » Tue Dec 06, 2016 7:34 am
Yes I quite like the Niner bikes. I'll have to go and see them in the fleshAUbicycles wrote:With your budget, I would classify it closer to mid-range as there are a heap of budget CX style bikes coming onto the market.
A CX / Gravel style bike that has caught my eye is the Niner RLT 9. Unfortunately the complete bikes are a bit out of budget (with the Australia Tax) - but they are great eye candy.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby AUbicycles » Tue Dec 06, 2016 7:57 am
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Re: CX Bike
Postby silentbutdeadly » Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:07 am
Trust me...is good. Especially now the frame has thru-axles. Responds really really well to a laterally stiff wheelset too.AUbicycles wrote:A CX / Gravel style bike that has caught my eye is the Niner RLT 9.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby baabaa » Tue Dec 06, 2016 11:16 am
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Re: CX Bike
Postby daft1024 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 12:36 pm
I've read online that the TCX can fit 40's not sure of CAADX.
Don't forget that many get CX bikes to try as the N+ 1 bike meaning plenty of secondhand low km options. There is a tasty rival spec Focus Mares CX on FB Bicycle Market in Ringwood for $2.4K. Pretty good value for full carbon and hydro brakes. I think the Mares can take fat 40's as well
- mogwaiboi
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Re: CX Bike
Postby mogwaiboi » Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:41 pm
From what I've read the CAADX is limited to 35mm tyres, so that's a positive for the TCX.daft1024 wrote:I've got a cheap Jamis CX bike and one of the bigger issues is its limit to 35mm tyres. Totally fine for CX racing but gravel grinding/single track has me wanting something with fat bags on a number of occasions. Something with the ability to take 40 mm tyres would definitely be on my shopping list if looking again.
I've read online that the TCX can fit 40's not sure of CAADX.
Don't forget that many get CX bikes to try as the N+ 1 bike meaning plenty of secondhand low km options. There is a tasty rival spec Focus Mares CX on FB Bicycle Market in Ringwood for $2.4K. Pretty good value for full carbon and hydro brakes. I think the Mares can take fat 40's as well
I've kept an eye on FB for second hand bikes but being 172cm I need a small in most brands, and I haven't seen that many small frames pop up.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby macca33 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:14 pm
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Re: CX Bike
Postby daft1024 » Tue Dec 06, 2016 3:26 pm
I'm just partial to the Mares - the paint on them is pretty cool.mogwaiboi wrote:From what I've read the CAADX is limited to 35mm tyres, so that's a positive for the TCX.
I've kept an eye on FB for second hand bikes but being 172cm I need a small in most brands, and I haven't seen that many small frames pop up.
The TCX seems to be a great choice as well - I see plenty around - they seem to have a strong rep and cable brakes can always be replaced with HY/RD's.
Another option might be the GT Grade - according to the web (so it must be true) it can take 38's and comes with Rival spec hydro brakes. I've never seen one in the flesh though.
Keep in mind that the gain ratio on a 40/32 1x setup (2.6) is not quite as low as a that on a standard road compact 34/28 (2.4). Looking at the SLR2 spec it seems to come with a 36/46 CX chainset and 11-28 which would have the same gain ratio as the GT Grade (2.6).
I've got a road compact (34/50) 12-30 setup on my CX (2.3 gain) and I'm pushing up some pinch hills. Some of that is lack of traction and lack of skills though. I'd like to try a 32 cassette (for a 2.1 gain), but I don't mind running up a few hills.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby mogwaiboi » Tue Dec 06, 2016 7:25 pm
daft1024 wrote:
I'm just partial to the Mares - the paint on them is pretty cool.
The TCX seems to be a great choice as well - I see plenty around - they seem to have a strong rep and cable brakes can always be replaced with HY/RD's.
Another option might be the GT Grade - according to the web (so it must be true) it can take 38's and comes with Rival spec hydro brakes. I've never seen one in the flesh though.
Keep in mind that the gain ratio on a 40/32 1x setup (2.6) is not quite as low as a that on a standard road compact 34/28 (2.4). Looking at the SLR2 spec it seems to come with a 36/46 CX chainset and 11-28 which would have the same gain ratio as the GT Grade (2.6).
I've got a road compact (34/50) 12-30 setup on my CX (2.3 gain) and I'm pushing up some pinch hills. Some of that is lack of traction and lack of skills though. I'd like to try a 32 cassette (for a 2.1 gain), but I don't mind running up a few hills.
Yes if I got the TCX I'd definitely ask for a medium cage RD and a 32 tooth cassette.
I've always liked the Mares as well but the 2017 105 model has the bulbous hoods which I'm not interested in. If I could pick up a 2016 I'd be happy but not many of them left by the looks of it. I've never been much of a Giant fan to tell the truth but they are obliviously good value and have a solid reputation. The GT Grade gets some good reviews, I think if I had the 1x setup I'd want 36/32 as well.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Rex » Wed Dec 07, 2016 12:03 pm
Definitely in the 2nd hand market as my budget is lower at around $1500.
I would have one by now but I'm having trouble with sizing.
I'm 193cm tall and run a 58cm road bike. Problem is it seems most on the market are 54cm or 56cm.
Does geometry size carry across to CX bikes about the same?
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Re: CX Bike
Postby daft1024 » Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:08 pm
On the QLD cyclocross FB group there is a guy selling a 58 tt Felt F1x frame for $800 (full carbon frame, fork h/bars, bb, crankset and stem), or $1700 complete (105, carbon Roval/DT Swiss rims, thudbuster etc).Rex wrote:I would have one by now but I'm having trouble with sizing.
I'm 193cm tall and run a 58cm road bike. Problem is it seems most on the market are 54cm or 56cm.
The F1x is a CX race bike so probably wouldn't fit fat tyres (like 40s) but would still ride pretty nicely I'd say due to carbon frame. The specs on this frame though is pretty impressive. The carbon layup on these are really really nice.
I bought something from the same vendor a while back and he was a tall fella. Might we worth signing up to QLD cyclocross FB?
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Rex » Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:39 pm
Sounds exactly what I'm looking for.
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Rex » Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:47 pm
Can't seem to find it.daft1024 wrote: On the QLD cyclocross FB group there is a guy selling a 58 tt Felt F1x frame for $800 (full carbon frame, fork h/bars, bb, crankset and stem), or $1700 complete (105, carbon Roval/DT Swiss rims, thudbuster etc).
Do me a favour and PM me a link?
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Re: CX Bike
Postby daft1024 » Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:46 pm
Done!Rex wrote:Can't seem to find it.
Do me a favour and PM me a link?
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Re: CX Bike
Postby Bentnose » Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:06 pm
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