Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

From the TCX I think- bolt-thru, tapered steerer CX fork

http://www.ridemetal.com/post/99063278698/ever-since-sram-announced-their-cx1-group-back-in

Whoda thunk it

Is it important to run a clutch RD? Could you not just have the non-drop chainring and an Apex/Rival RD?

all the non-drop chainring makers say that for best results use a clutch rear mech, cheapest way for 1x10 is Sram x7 tpye 2 (clutch) mech and rival shifters with blacktooth chainring.

Re the "hiding in plain sight", course it was, what gave the idea for sram to do 1x ?! originally mtb, but then cx'ers were doing it too and using those derailleurs, and for the extra cost, sram would rationalize 1x specialization, with pulleys moving slightly differently, barrel adjuster and maybe strength of spring, still, it is far too much

Although a tad over the £1000 mark, the new Focus AX 2.0 looks like an interesting alternative to the Giant TCX 1/2 - similar 105 spec, but with the semi-hydraulic (think that's the term) TRP brakes instead of the mechanical ones on the Giant.

http://www.northernride.com/Focus-Mares-AX-2-0-2015-1199-p/focus-mares-ax-2.0-2015.htm

I am waiting for the Focus to come in to stock at a LBS to try it out - anyone already seen/ridden?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-105-disc-cyclocross-bike-ec071032

opinions on this as a newbie to CX?
mainly commuting and weekend bikepacking adventures

Any thoughts on the Orange rx9?

If anyone did get one some of the forks are death and have been recalled

http://singletrackworld.com/2014/10/recall-orange-rx9-fork/

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/threshold-a1-2015-cyclocross-bike-ec072587#features

tad cheaper, and has thru-axle on the front - set to be all the rage, does lack the cannondale name though, wich could be a good thing for commuting/locking up

oh and also has threaded bottom bracket as opposed to bb30 which can internally combust if grit gets in there

Nice cheers man!
Sweet yeah actually prefer the look of that too tbh. Are 28h wheels tough?

Does it take a rear rack do you know?

You can see the mounting holes on the picture, just near the top of the seat stays.

No worries, I need a set of their forks! The argument for 32h wheels on road bikes is if you pop a spoke then all you need to do is slacken of your brakes and adjust a couple of spokes, not a problem with discs, so 28h is fine.

The rims are mtb rims, only in 700c, and lower spoke count, they'll take a beating, and if Norco (originally a mtb/bmx company) say they're tough enough, I'd believe them :)

I am liking the Focus Mares AX 3.0, which has just received a positive Cycling Plus write up if thats worth owt.

http://www.peakcyclesport.com/m1b0s23p642/FOCUS-Mares-AX-3-0-Disc-2015

Does anyone have the Cinelli Zydeco?

I used to chat with Fionn Griffiths who rides for the Norco factory team and was I think silver medalist in the women's downhill championships. Her bike was pretty rad, I used to lust after their hardtail jump bike.
You all wanted to know that.

Any shop with a large discount on Giant TCX SLR 2 2014 or Caad X 105?

A while ago, there was some confusion to whether the Pinnacle have mudguard mount or not, I went into Evans to grab some DeFeet, check out the Arkose, and turn it it does have a mount under the fork;

2 Attachments

Sneaky!

I have the same mount position on my Oak, much tidier and smarter looking.

It look like there's enough clearance for a mudguard with the 42mm tyres too.

How do people find the sizing on the Giant TCX SLR ? I'm on the cusp of M/L and L according to Giant's sizing guide.
My work has changed to an online only bike to work provider annoyingly

Mine's an M/L and I'm just 6' tall. I've long legs though so am probably close to maximum height on the seat post.

Thanks Andy. I'm 6'1" with 34 inside leg, so sounds like L is the way to go

I've just asked the Giant store near me to get an L in the TCX SLR as a potential replacement for my recently stole sscx bike.

Thinking the L should do. How did people find it from factory spec? Any necessary changes?

Did we see the Merlin CX bike?

http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-x20-105-11-speed-alloy-cyclocross-bike-75146.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Merlin+Road+Bikes&ucpo=17154&gclid=CjwKEAiAy8ujBRCY6c-hveijhFASJAAcyGicf33Tn67mcqPsd2luGXf9jnS_hyMeTU1NEyGT7JbCpRoCZzDw_wcB