Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

only the carbon ones

SRAM CX1 1 x 11 prototype group

Why the huge cableloop and not something alá their mtb offerings?

I am thinking of selling my Specialized Crux 2011 (58cm) and getting a size larger frameset.
Primary use racing, budget £300-400, canti brakes only.
Options so far (in this preference order)

1. Forme Hiver - £350
   
2. Kinesis FiveT - £269 + fork
   
3. Paul Milnes - £295
   
4. Paul Milnes Carbon - £395 ( not too keen)
   
   

Any other frames I should consider?

Thanks.

Why the huge cableloop and not something alá their mtb offerings?

I think their xx1 derailure uses something other than exact actuation. So I assume that's a modified 11 speed road mech with a roller clutch.

Any other frames I should consider?

There's a Genesis Vapour (2009) 60cm frameset here, for £250 apparently...

Any thoughts on the Orange rx9?

Geometry look weird (long top tube) and come with an alu fork, seemed rather expensive compare to says Cannondale CAADX Disc that cost £100 less.

I think it's between the BMC GF02 105 Disc 2014 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bmc/granfondo-gf02-105-disc-2014-road-bike-ec053877#features

The caadx disc 2014 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-disc-5-105-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec053952

Or the giant tcx slr 2
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/150611/products/giant-tcx-slr-2-2014-cyclocross-bike.aspx

What are peoples opinions given spec and price? Bike will mainly be used for commuting. The bmc looks awesome but not sure it's worth another 600 quid

For commuting it's probably not 600 of hiccups extra worth :]

I dont think the BMC is worth 600 squids more full stop. I prefer the geo for more road use, and it is a fecking cool orange colour. But 60% more for comparable frameset quality, and spec? and thats from a BMC fanboy.

I'd get the Giant. I'm sure loads of others would go with the Dale. The only real difference is the brakes and BB system.

+1 on the giant

I dont think the BMC is worth 600 squids more full stop. I prefer the geo for more road use.

I just notice that the GF02 Disc have a more CX geometry than the GF01/Disc, last year it was near identical but nowadays it got a smaller headtube than I remember.

I do like the road-going GF01 thought;

£ week wait but very pleased. First ride on friday and first race on saturday.
Pretty chuffed for the price though.

On first glance I'm a little bit apprehensive on the seat clamp mechanism ... They send a spare with the bike which makes me assume it wont last too long.

Reflectors are coming off yes... and bell... etc

Take it back to the shop and ask them to cut down the brake cable.

If brake feel like crap, ditto to the above and ask them to trim the housing properly as well as a new cable, as most new bicycle have too much friction on the rear especially due to packing and transporting the pre-build bicycle.

They mucked the whole process to be honest ed.

First they set the expectation for a week. It then took 3.

The setup is generally crappy. The shifters aren't straight and the cable that runs by the fork is so long it trails on the front wheel.

I managed to complain and get £80 quid off so i'm not too fussed to sort the issues my self. Over all i'm pretty pleased. We'll see how the thing handle on the circle of doom at the city cross this weekend.

@tp88 where did you get it from so I can avoid them? also does it have rack and mudguard mounts? interested to hear a review once you've had a proper go

£80 off is good, a decent bike shop should build the bicycle properly, shifter lined-up, modulation spot on, nut and bolts tightened accordingly, and get it PDI before handing it to the customer.

If you're confident, you can either get it set up properly yourself, or use the £80 you save and pay for the basic service* at a reputable bicycle shop (like Brixton Cycles).

*usually cost between £20-40

@tp88 where did you get it from so I can avoid them? also does it have rack and mudguard mounts? interested to hear a review once you've had a proper go

I got it from the Giant retailer in York.

No rack or mudguard mounts. I was split between this and the Kinesis Cross Pro6 at first but the extra £400 didn't seem worth it's while for the added mudguard option - Will have to HTFU as the weather continues to get worse.

Yeah over all the whole experience was pretty poor. I continually had to ring them to find out what was going on and it was only when I emailed and used twitter to rant at them that things started to move. I was keen to get hold of one and everywhere else was out of stock and would be until January so I held out.

Will let you know how it handles etc...To start off with i'm not at all used to the weight but that's only because I've been using my full carbon scott for commuting or alu fixed gears so it's pretty noticeable atm.

What's your commute tyre pressure on those 35c clinchers?

The tyres make the biggest difference, would advised you to either fit 25 or 28mm tyres on it to get the feel of the bike on the road.

.

Does that have a through axel? Or is it just my eyesight...

^^+1

really surprised the giant doesnt have mudguard mounts, thought I could see them on the fork when I checked the pics. Might be a dealbreaker

I dont think the BMC is worth 600 squids more full stop. I prefer the geo for more road use, and it is a fecking cool orange colour. But 60% more for comparable frameset quality, and spec? and thats from a BMC fanboy.

all true. but dat orange..

Does that have a through axel? Or is it just my eyesight...

Yep through axel