Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

Have to say i really like the new Boardmans - was trying to get one last year but they had sold out.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/images/xl_images/Boardman_CX_Team_xl.jpg

£899, wonder how much the pro would be with Rival?

Edit: Force, rather.

Right, I rode both the 56 and the 58.

I had almost no standover clearance on the 58, but apart from that it felt fine- it felt just like a road bike, except heavier.

The 56 immediately felt more agile, and I had plenty of standover.

I think of the two I would go for the 56, but (possibly) put a longer stem on it, maybe without so much rise.

Also, the saddle is awful.

Prototype Kinesis Crosslight Pro6, everyone is going for discs now:
http://road.cc/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/images/Kinesis%20Crosslight%20Pro6%20spy%20shots/Kinesis%20Crosslight%20Pro6%20Spy%20FrameSide.jpg

I'd like to try a boardman with discs.

yeah I'm just eyeing up that boardman now.... it's no cannondale but it looks pretty cool. probably be able to get one before june as well....

hmmmm

Went and had a look at the Boardman in Battersea Halfords today - first up they had done an appalling job of setting it up, so no way to get a fell for how the SRAM lever work with the discs, but its a great looking bike, really well specced, and i particularly like the tapered headtube.

It's got Rival?

Apex and FSA

Frameset:
Size XS, SM, MD, LG, XL
Colour Metallic Storm Grey
Frame Lightweight alloy triple butted, tapered steerer, BB30, full smooth welding
Fork Superlight full carbon, tapered steerer, disc compatible
Groupset:
Shifters SRAM Apex
Front Mech SRAM Apex
Rear Mech SRAM Apex
Brakes Avid BB5 Road
Chainset FSA Gossamer Pro Compact BB30 50x34T
Cassette Shimano CS5700
Chain KMC X10
Bottom Bracket FSA BB30
Wheelset:
Rims Ritchey Pro Disc
Hubs Formula Disc
Spokes Stainless Black
Tyres Ritchey Excavader
Components:
Handlebars cboardman
Stem cboardman
Headset FSA Integrated
Spacers Alloy
Seatpost cboardman
Saddle cboardman
Pedals N/A

Weight* 22lbs

Tapered steerer I presume to mean 1 and 1/8th top, 1 and 1/2 bottom for the steerer?

Alot of bike for the money, the new Boardman x. Must resist.

The stock checker on the Halfords website shows they have a Large in Balham.

I might go and try it tomorrow.

F*ck it, gonna go have a look at the Boardman tomorrow and will probably get it. Think the discs will be a massive advantage for my intended usage, also beats hanging about till June for the caadx.

The snob in me is saying Cannondale Cannondale Cannondale like...

Just wait until mid-June then...

You not think it's worth getting the boardman for the brakes?

They are a big plus to be honest.

That said I was going to chuck my training wheels on the Cannondale, which is not going to be possible with disc brakes.

But, if they work (AndyP's experience being a factor) disc brakes are hugely better than canti's

Also, I have Force on my road bike, so I would be able to swap parts between the bikes if needed.

Or in case of upgrades etc.

My X bike uses cable actuated Tektro Lyra disc brakes and 105 STI's. They work, perfectly! I am looking forward to gloopy muddy winter conditions to get the benefit over cantilevers.

I on the other hand am looking forward to warm sunny conditions, but with the reassurance that my brakes will still work after I've gone through a ford.

TRP have got a hydraulic disc system for road shifters coming

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/04/bikes-and-tech/tech-quick-look/2011-sea-otter-classic-trps-hydraulic-cyclocross-brakes_169011

it's still a cable pull brake despite having hydraulic.

I long for the day when there'll be a full hydraulic road brake.

F*ck it, gonna go have a look at the Boardman tomorrow and will probably get it. Think the discs will be a massive advantage for my intended usage, also beats hanging about till June for the caadx.

The snob in me is saying Cannondale Cannondale Cannondale like...

Well?!

I would have thought hydro road disc brakes will be available fairly soon, with what seems a mass market shift to discs on CX Bikes, especially those with a commuter slant, i cant imagine that Shimano/Avid/Etc arent on the case.

I have been running BB5's up front with a variety of levers on my Fixed and never had a problem if you take the short time they need to dial them in

The brakes are swaying me toward the Boardman I have to say.