Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

Any idea what they'll be charging for that 2013 frame Howard?

I'd be very interested in replacing my Boardman frame with that.

Hah... you know what Cannondale are like when it comes to frame only - I'd imagine it would be top dollar and you won't get it for nine months.

I'd probably buy an OTP version and sell the bits I don't want. But I'd rather do frame only, too.

Pray to the god of failed TIG welds that your CAADX suffers a warranty issue in January?

That would be...convenient.

I'd prefer if it failed whilst I wasn't racing it though. Which reminds me - cross season starts in four weeks or so. Anyone want to do some training?

What counts as training for cross- jumping into a bramble after covering yourself in a muddy slurry?

That pretty much sums up my 2011-2012 season.

Twickenham Cycle Club ran sessions on Thursday nights last year - was pretty good, they had hurdles and all that good stuff. But no mud.

I'd be up for that- especially the "no mud" part.

Whereabouts- somewhere I can get to from work estimating a leaving time of 5:45PM from Farringdon?

hmm, could be interested

Was at old deer park by the swimming pool, about 7ish. I'll ping them an email, see if it's going on this year.

isn't that just down the road from me?

Yep

VCL are putting on four evening races, every Wednesday from the 29th of August. Two are at Herne Hill, the other two at the Bethlem Hospital near West Wickham.

They'd be ideal for any beginners wanting to give cross a go.

What time do they start Andy?

I'm def up for the two at Herne Hill.

6:30ish. Depends on the light I think.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80304/South-London-Late-Summer-League-Round-1

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80305/South-London-Late-Summer-League-Round-2

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80306/South-London-Late-Summer-League-Round-3

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/80307/South-London-Late-Summer-League-Round-4

Cheers Hyperbole, I'd be a "Novice Senior" I assume?

Nothing is stopping you from riding with the Senoirs but if you want a more "relaxed" race then novice might suite more.

I'm in for cat C.

Continuing the 'official propaganda machine for onyourbike' routine, you can get the 2012 CAADX 105 for £800 squids with voucher code GOLD2012:

http://www.onyourbike.com/product/9444-Cannondale-CAADX-5-105-2012.php

You'd be silly not to.

How tall are you Howard?

And how are you enjoying your new role as OnYourBike SEO executive?

5.8"

They pay me in magic beans.

Actually I quite like OYB - and their online strategy has always been uncomital to say the least. But a 20% off their entire inventory is quit a ballsy move. Madness or brilliance?

I've tried to like them, but they are hard work- they seem to be in need of some significant product (and basic sales) training.

I think I am now three for three, in terms of the person I spoke to not knowing what the product I was talking about is, or indeed having any interest in finding out.

Said products being:

• Hollowgram SiSl crankset
  
• Vittoria Pitstop
  
• Quarq power meter
  

Par for the course IMO; chap in Condor once told me they didn't stock campag cartridge BB tools because they are expensive and exotic. £5 park tool from Evans it was then.

Both my cannondale road bikes are from OYB and the experience was Good (Caad9) and excellent (caadx). It's a lottery though.