Current Projects chat and miscellany

+1 to that.

I got myself a cross check a few weeks ago and it really is very good. Sadly I can only have 1 bike, so I need a bike that can do everything, which I think the cross check can better than anything else that isn't custom. At the moment it's got some 32c road tyres and full mudguards on it, and I'll be making a front rack over Christmas. It feels a lot more spritely than I was expecting, it's not light, but I'm not finding that a problem really. I think my cycling ability is holding me back much more than a slightly heavier bike ever will and it is an extremely comfortable ride, which makes the weight sacrifice worth it.

I'm using (and really getting on well with) bar-end shifters. I know they are a sticking point for a lot of people, but I like the accuracy you get, it's a nice feel. With the addition of some STI type shifters I bet a cross check would rival a lot of those spoken about above.

I've heard good things about the Salsa ed posted, but they really are ugly, and not even in a way that I could grow to love. Just plain ugly. There is a review of some £1,000-ish CX bikes in the December issue of Cycling Plus which might be worth a quick read.

The key to the usefulness of a CX in my mind is that it handle very much like your favourate road bike. So it doesnt feel like a compromise.

I run bar end shifters, but then I have a MTN, v-brake, groupset (its what I had to hand) so STI's were not an option. Bar end shifters are uber reliable, and can be used even while wearing lobster style gloves. So I wont be changing them.

I hope to upgrade my frame, and upgrade to mechanical disc brakes (because of snow). But I would'nt change anything else.

Actually just noticed the XS peregrine is in production