Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

I know - they do a version with mudguards out of the box. But the geo is racey-ish. Wheelbase is short, headtube is a reasonable size and isn't too slack, comes with a CX chainset etc. With the smaller sizes, if you rode it with mudguards the toe overlap would be hideous.

I suspect the Product Managers slap the bosses on with the rationale that to some edge case buyers it might swing it for them. Same with the Kinesis, although they are more up-front about their intentions with the Crosslight - it's a race bike.

If it wasn't designed to be slogged round a muddy field for an hour on a Sunday then it's just a muddle.

Well the focus was always critised for being twitchy. But what it really was, was a proper cx bike, being ridden mainly by commuters.

Kinesis say this about the Pro6.

The Pro6 is a race bike first and foremost and uses our proven race geometry.
It’s designed to come out in front after an hour of elbow to elbow pedalling,
vaulting and running. In addition, it has eyelets to allow the fitment of
‘guards, rack and bottles if you are that way inclined. It’s not supposed to be
a ‘Jack of all trades’, but it is designed to be practical and adaptable as
well as FAST.

Which basically sold it to me as a bike I could put 28/30mm wet road tyres on, full mudguards, and set it up as a wet weather copy of my BMC for training. Then chuck some knobblies on for weekend gravel trail riding.

I think a lot of cyclist that choose a CX bike for such usuage, want the race style geometry. Let the nodders have their hybrids.

What bugged me was the cassette - chainset combo. Just doesnt fit with use as a wet weather road bike or a CX racer. Its kinda neither nor.

Not that I'm buying a Pro6.

I'm on a project break.

I'm on a project break.

Never thought I'd read that!

The break is probably over by now.

You sure? Technically his BMC still considered as a current project.

Who cares about the BMC, what about the tree house?!

I could buy a Pro6 frameset, or a power meter, with money saved between now and christmas. I've decided I want the power meter.

I can do my wet weather road training on the fixed, and trail riding on the SS 29er.

The longbike is amazing for climbing training. You only need a long 3% gradient, and with the kids on the back its feels like Zoncolan.

I could sell you a used Pro6 frame for £75 if you are interested? would need powdercoating green though

I'm on a project break.

leaves forum

I could sell you a used Pro6 frame for £75 if you are interested? would need powdercoating green though

Not sure if I'm being trolled?

Small?

Post to Norway?

leaves forum

I could just say I'm starting one, and do nothing for 6 months.

Thats basically how I operate anyway.

Better?

Not sure if I'm being trolled?

Small?

Post to Norway?

54cm, I assume too big?

Yep.

Definitly a 51.

Cheers.

I could just say I'm starting one, and do nothing for 6 months.

Thats basically how I operate anyway.

Better?

Yes thanks!

I would have stuck around here using my Lynchman alias anyway :-)

I am currently mulling over a project which would need Smallfurry as project advisor, so a project by proxy in effect.

And this is the right thread for it.

Intriguing.

Andy is moving to Norway and needs a tree-house?

The tree house has the struts for the second floor in place, and I've nailed down a few planks.

Its dry out, so I might drag the kids up this evening. They're not really interested anymore. But I need to make it appear to be their project to Mrs Smallfurry.

You sure? Technically his BMC still considered as a current project.

Not really. I'm just tweeking and servicing.

Its had/having:

A full carbon 3T Fundra fork.
A crazy Extralite steerer bung (which surprisingly enough, works)
New powercordz + Vertebrae cable outers
New rims (old news I guess)
A slammed stem, with a new headset bearing cover.
A new right lever body.

It'll be lighter and betterer.

Moving here from the road bike thread. As apparently cross bikes arn't for cross anymore.

The croix de fer sounds good, but maybe a bit hard to find 2nd hand.

Steel isn't a bad idea, with the history I've got with aluminum bikes. Though will it be as nice to ride and nimble as an aluminum bike?

Main use is winter road miles.
Some light cross country.
Long audax, so pannier eyelets usefull.

no

No? To the nice to ride bit?
How will the ride differ. I've never ridden a steel bike.

Define 'nice to ride' :)

I wouldn't want to ride a long Audax on the Kinesis. It's as stiff as a very stiff thing.