Best cyclocross bike under £1000 and other CX chat

if they did it with hydraulics...

How well do the brakes work? How much were they?

Am inclined to wait for the time when the hydraulics are integrated.

They work pretty well- best thing would be to try them.

Fully integrated would be better, but hey ho- not available yet, and I might go Erectric on this bike.

that's it, i'd rather wait for bikes to come with the fully integrated hydro option, and cost saving of a complete bike

A more solid set-up would be....

MTB cable disks + Tektro rl520 levers

Slight brake compromise though.

Won't be compromised with a Travel Agent thought, they make disc brakes infinity better than originally, I now feel more confident on disc brakes than I did with caliper brakes, especially on the descent in poor weather condition after a century.

More levers choice too.

Won't be compromised with a Travel Agent thought, they make disc brakes infinity better than originally, I now feel more confident on disc brakes than I did with caliper brakes, especially on the descent in poor weather condition after a century.

More levers choice too.

I've only used MTB cable discs, and always found them fine. The simplicity of the set-up was why I posted it.

For more hardcore use, hydrolics are infinitly better. But if you're not trying to squeeze every drop of momentum out of a technical decent, through brake modulation. Cables work fine. The inherent problem is that only one side of the caliper moves on cable actuated calipers. This means that unless the stationary pad is constantly rubbing the rotor. You go from one pad in contact to two pads, with the mobile pad pressing hard enough to slightly bend the rotor to the stationary pad (as well as the whole caliper to the rotor). This doesnt leave much room for modulation.

I guess its a question of if you feel the need for such modulation on a commute. I would'nt.

And the dreaded squealing noise every time it's wet.

I wonder if the dual bangers can work well with a Travel Agent.

James if you want to try the cable pull disc I have on my crosser I'll bring it to Swinley one day. BB5 and 5700 Shimano Shifter. I think it's awesome - I really don't know what all the fuss is about re. modulation and set-up.

And the dreaded squealing noise every time it's wet.

I wonder if the dual bangers can work well with a Travel Agent.

I read a ton of stuff about the dual bangers, and while they are clever in how both pads are actuated. It doesnt sound like they out perform BB7s. Which, considering how difficult they are to source, knocked them off the snow bike build list*.

(*Since that changed to a snowbike/ fatXC bike. Its hydrolics all the way anyway)

I've just bought an old Fort CX frame.

The future is in canti's for sure.

;-)

Think I've reached a turning point in my cx brake saga, campag levers + nokon + cheapo tektro mini Vs + viking pads + very careful setting up = shit loads of stopping power + a reasonable amount of modulation. Doubt they'll work so well in a foot of mud, but it means putting off buying a disc frame for a while atleast.

James if you want to try the cable pull disc I have on my crosser I'll bring it to Swinley one day. BB5 and 5700 Shimano Shifter. I think it's awesome - I really don't know what all the fuss is about re. modulation and set-up.

I think the fuss is because modulation when using 32c tyres off road is of more importance than it is on an MTB due to the limited grip of the tyres.

I wouldn't know, I try to never slow down...

There are quite a few on ebay; worth a look. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cycling-/7294/i.html?_nkw=cyclocross+bike

Back to CX, it's a shame we can't get this in England, Swobo Crosby;

You could get it. But nobody bought them so they sold them off for £400!

I was put off by the weird hub.

You mean the fixed/free hubs? they were great if it wasn't for the slight play on the fixed option.

Yeh, I was just wasn't convinced.

I probably should have bought it as we're not exactly overrun with light SSCX frames here in the UK.

I think Kerley owns them all.

I think the fuss is because modulation when using 32c tyres off road is of more importance than it is on an MTB due to the limited grip of the tyres.

I wouldn't know, I try to never slow down...

I had thought to add this to my modulation rant. Its a good point.

Yeh, I was just wasn't convinced.

I probably should have bought it as we're not exactly overrun with light SSCX frames here in the UK.

I think Kerley owns them all.

True, they are not many choices. I had a Felt Breed for a year and have had a Kona Major One for last two years. The good thing with lack of available options is that it stops me changing my frame every other month and throwing away money. Never had the same bike for so long and it is now just under 8kg in weight with no weight weeny parts (which is a nice weight for an off road bike).

I wouldn't know, I try to never slow down...

Hah yeah when racing the mud and / or stacking usually slows me down enough.

Pedal Force are having a group buy on the CX2 frameset. I'm well tempted myself to be honest. Full carbon CX frameset, with mounts for full guards and a rack. Would make a nice CX-commuter. Plus I guess the mudguard clearance could be used to squeeze in some narrow 29er tyres instead. Monster cross style.

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=21985&osCsid=d69190c857632fc01ef7bcc790b339d2

Here is a great write-up of a CX2 build, plus some comments from others with the frame.

squeeze in some narrow 29er tyres instead. Monster cross style.

http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=21985&osCsid=d69190c857632fc01ef7bcc790b339d2

Think again:

That looks like poor clearance for a bike designed to use in mud. Saying that it all depends how you use the bike/where you live. Mine doesn't see that much mud (all stoney and gravelly where I am) and I have run a 47c in the back with around 1-2mm clearance on the sides with no issues.

Here is a great write-up of a CX2 build, plus some comments from others with the frame.

I refuse to click that. As I am not building a CX ;)

Think again:

Thats poo. Most CX frames I've checked, have room for my 45mm nordic spikes.

Actually those look like Richey CX tyres. If so, I can confirm that they are crazy tall compared to their width.