Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

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  • Another question (for me) would be "what can I sell my Hope V-Twin for when the new Red levers come out?"

    They (the Red levers) are going to be ~£800 or so I reckon.

  • If they did come in at that price - and it wouldn't surprise me - let's hope they have some kind of crash replacement / discounting going on.

  • Hmmm. I could use the unit with my existing calipers, and some nice TRP levers. Would'nt want the rest of the system though. £5?

  • Sure, postage to Norway is £245

  • I'll get my parents to bring it over....

    ....together with all my Xmas presents that I'm too tight to have sent here.

  • The main problem is the old style Sora levers that have appalling performance, even with problem solver travel agent.

    The new Sora is a noticeable improved being identical to Tiagra in term of shape and also come with an aadjustable pull ratios.

    Test ride them both first before deciding, the CdF is a very relaxed stable bike to ride, you might not like it at first due to how your current bike ride, I got used to it as it's lovely to relaxed on.

    My flatmate had his original 2012 Sora levers upgraded to 2013 ones on warranty by Evans (which took them about 2 months - ridiculous) and I have to say that although the shape is better - the actual mechanicals are awful. The paddle always sticks and the shifts are slow and require a huge lever throw. I would say that for shifting the previous Sora shifters are infinitely better, even if the braking isn't as good, and you have to put up with the crappy thumb nub.

    Although the CDF is a very nice looking bike, he has had nothing but problems with it, I wouldn't buy an OTP one to be honest as the finishing kit/tyres/wheelset are poor - I would consider building up from a frame though.

  • My front mech has a tendency to shift into the small chainring under load- without asking it to do so.

    Now not only is this a massive insult to my integrity as a man- it's annoying as well.

    I suspect that it's the fault of the Apex shifter- anyone had this issue?

  • I absolutely hate the front shifting on my Apex group and have had a ghost shift or two which with doubletap makes it completely impossible to work out what the fuck to do to shift. Luckily I have no need of a small ring when my big ring is only 46t

  • the front shifting on my rivals pretty poor also, will upgrade when I rebuild the entire bike for spring i think

  • My Red front mech has ghost shifted twice - I've had no issues with the apex front mech on my airnimal though.

    It's quite irritating.

  • It never ever happened with my Force group on the 'Dale, and it's a Force front mech on the Boardman.

    Hmm.

    If only I could use a Di2 shifter with my winter gloves...

  • I use Campag, I do not have this problem. Just saying

  • Your skinny Hipster jeans don't get caught in your chainrings either I'll bet.

  • Meh, no group is perfect.

    I have a feeling the issue with my front mech is related to using a band on adapter that doesn't quite provide the right position for the mech.

    Anyway for cross I'm going to run a single ring up front.

  • I'm using a band on adapter also. Might be that- but what would explain Adoubletaps issue?

  • Im using braze on but im pretty sure mines due to it not aligning with my chainring perfectly as i think the braze on a bit off..

  • Thanks Dammit. Not often the phrase skinny is used in conjunction with a reference to me.

  • I use Campag, I do not have this problem. Just saying

    Even my Sora didn't either.

    No groupset is perfect, but surely ghost shifting shouldn't even exist in these days and ages.

  • I'm sure it doesn't if it's set up right, Ed - I'd imagine it's user error in my case.

  • Reckon it's worth experimenting with a different front dérailleur?

  • Meh, no group is perfect.

    Shimano.

    logs off

  • My girlfriend has complained of ghost shifting on her Rival group under load or in heavy rain. I thought it was bad set up or user error but its interesting to hear this is a common problem. Have to say that campag has never given me this problem - I would definitely use shimano for cross though - just seems a lot more robust and a lot easier to replace / better equipment combinations available..

  • Right size, wrong colour eyes.

    Alot.

    No such word. It's "a lot". Here endeth the lesson. (haha)

    Interesting to read about ghost shifting. Hasn't happened yet, but I have the crap Microshit front mech (waiting for a new Force item). If it happens then I will definately go for 105 or Ultegra and worry about the weight penalty later.
    I have had the rear ghost shift, but then the bike is only 10 days old and may need a small adjustment, which I have never had with Shimano on the bikes I usually build from scratch.

  • By the way if anyone wants a brand new braze on force front mech - I have one that was sold on eBay 6 months ago but the buyer never paid for or picked up. In the packaging and everything

  • Reckon it's worth experimenting with a different front dérailleur?

    Yes definitely - I have the light but rather crap Red Ti. front on a nice looking but unpractical KCNC adapter. I need to replace it with a band on Force or steel cage Red mech if I can get my hands on one. This is all on my road bike, mind.

    I'm using Shimano for cross at the moment - its taken a battering and survived but the shifters don't fit my hands. It's getting replaced by 1 * 10 Rival.

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Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

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