Carbon bike or not?

Hello UK CYCLO CROSS, i am thinking about purchasing a brand new carbon cross bike.The thing that concerns me is will it break? has anybody experienced this?are the tubes strengthend in specific areas for cross? and if yes does it add a lot of extra weight,so does it make more sense to buy alloy or aluminium? Please help one newcomer to the sport of cross 2012?  (focus mares 3.0cx is the bike im thinking of buying )   Thank you.Alan.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Cleverly on January 28, 2012 at 21:01

I think you're asking the wrong question to be honest. As a newbie, why blow £1,500 on a bike you may leave sitting in the shed after a couple of races because cross isn't your bag? Go down to a grand and you will get aluminium and Shimano 105 (Focus, Cannondale, Crosslight), then spend the rest on decent wheels and tubs IF you take to it. That will make the difference, not a carbon frame. If you still want to save some weight, have a pee before your race. Honestly, that's all it takes.

Permalink Reply by ALAN BROWN on January 28, 2012 at 21:53

Thanks Ian thats much appreciated.Its funny that i have been to quite a few cross races last season and i didnt see many carbon bikes.I suppose it makes far more sense and cheaper to lose a few pounds and go for a cheaper bike.My concern was that i would get the cross bug and regret not spending that extra £500 on the carbon mares and upgrade as of when.What wheels would you recommend and would the tubs be dughast or have i been paying to much attention on the pros? Thanks again.Alan.

Permalink Reply by Adam Martin on January 28, 2012 at 22:50

I road carbon kinesis frames last season, and aluminium forme hiver frames this season. I honestly couldn't tell the difference, apart from the aluminium held up much better in terms of paint and general finish. Main difference was I spent more on a selection of different tubs and wheels to suit different courses, that's where it counts in cross.  

Permalink Reply by ALAN BROWN on January 29, 2012 at 21:26

Thanks for the advice ian and adam.Ive decided that alloy or aluminium is going to be my frame of choice.Any recommendations regarding brand new cross bikes around the grand mark.And wheel advice would be really appreciated because there is nothing worse than when you by something and realise after time that you should of bought something else! Thanks Alan.

Permalink Reply by Kristian Spreckley on January 29, 2012 at 22:41

Specialized Crux is a great bike for the money. Ian Field won the nationals on one. I think £1000 buys a complete bike. don't forget secondhand bikes though, lots around this time of year as the season ends. Hargroves doing them for £699 - bargain.

Kris

Permalink Reply by ALAN BROWN on January 29, 2012 at 22:50

Thanks Kris, i will look into that!

Alan

                                                  

 

Permalink Reply by Richard Mitchelson on January 30, 2012 at 11:31

Hi Alan

This season has been my first 'cross season perhaps i could add my thoughts from a noobs point of view;

I've been racing on the Cannondale CAADX 105 this season, its done a great job. Its an Alu frame much like the Specialised Crux. I'm upgrading bits such as brakes, stem, seat post, bars etc and maybe next season i'll be getting some new wheels as i've really got the 'cross bug and it looks like becoming my main focus.

I agree with Ian Cleverly, dont buy something you might not end up using. Best to buy a good but upgrade ready bike rather than an expensive whim that might end up gathering dust. On the other side of the argument i would never put someone off spending their hard earned cash if they want to, but worth doing a couple of races first to see if you get the bug before going too mad. Could you borrow a bike off a mate and get down to the last few races of the season [if there are any near you?] then plan your bike buy accordingly for next season?

All the best, see you on the start line.

Permalink Reply by Kristian Spreckley on January 30, 2012 at 12:54

The way I did it was sourcing a good second hand frame and building up. That's the way I do most of my bikes though. I sourced a Ridley X-Fire from here for £430, the owner also sold me pretty new Ultegra levers and rear mech for £100 (rrp of levers and mech would be about £360) and then added bits I had and bought others. Put it together for a shade over £1000, had wheels already. I have caught the bug this season too and want to upgrade the wheels fo rthe start of next season. Cheers Kris

Permalink Reply by Mark Cotton on January 30, 2012 at 18:47

I've used Kinesis Aluminium frames for the last 8 seasons now, fantastic frames, can not recommend them highly enough and I they do a couple of different options depending on what you want to spend. My bikes are not that much heavier than some peoples carbon frames (nothing an extra pre racce "pee" wont save).

Personaly I would say with tubs try not to listen to anyone too much and take their opinion as gospel, only you can make that choice of what suits you and your riding style. Cross tubs are quite a personal choice. If you are able to try a few different brands I would as there is now a huge range out there although this would be fairly expensive if your going to buy lots of tubs to try out. Consider how much you want to spend on the tubs, nothing worse than splashing out £160 on tubs to find you hate how they ride, there are some excellent cross tubs out there for less than £100 a pair. I spent years trying to ride Dugast because I was told they were the best, finally decided to stop being a sheep and try a different brand and I have found all of their tubs (Tufo) to be amazing and far better than dugasts, BUT..... that is just my personal opinion and those tubs suit me. Like I said, try not to listen to people too much. Cross wheels, some very good alloy wheelsets out there. I use Gipiemme Krono, retails at £500 and they are super light and very very strong. Again, just my opinion but something good to consider.

 

Anyway Alan, welcome to cyclo cross! You will love it, it's not a sport, its an addiction! Spoke to so many roadies who have this year given it a go and are already planning next season and a crack at the trophies! Where are you based? Hope to see you venture to the fields of Lincolnshire at some point in 2012 if it isn't too far.

Permalink Reply by Dave Haygarth on January 31, 2012 at 15:12

I've entered this discussion a bit too late Alan because all my best opinions have already been stated..!

  • Don't go top range as a newbie, frame isn't everything -
  • Wheels important if budget stretches.

Enjoy...!

Permalink Reply by ALAN BROWN on January 31, 2012 at 21:41


Hello Richard,

                    Thanks very much for the reply i really appreciate the advice.Ive been looking at the cannondale and from what ive read there hasnt been a bad word written about them.The spec is the reliable 105 which seems to be on most crossers and the frame seems great too! I reaaly think that is the bike i am going to get and i think i will just change the wheels . Thanks again Alan.
Richard Mitchelson said:

Hi Alan

This season has been my first 'cross season perhaps i could add my thoughts from a noobs point of view;

I've been racing on the Cannondale CAADX 105 this season, its done a great job. Its an Alu frame much like the Specialised Crux. I'm upgrading bits such as brakes, stem, seat post, bars etc and maybe next season i'll be getting some new wheels as i've really got the 'cross bug and it looks like becoming my main focus.

I agree with Ian Cleverly, dont buy something you might not end up using. Best to buy a good but upgrade ready bike rather than an expensive whim that might end up gathering dust. On the other side of the argument i would never put someone off spending their hard earned cash if they want to, but worth doing a couple of races first to see if you get the bug before going too mad. Could you borrow a bike off a mate and get down to the last few races of the season [if there are any near you?] then plan your bike buy accordingly for next season?

All the best, see you on the start line.

Permalink Reply by ALAN BROWN on January 31, 2012 at 21:53

Hello Kris,

                Thanks for the advice.What wheels are you thinking of getting? i dont know what is good for cross or not.

                 Thanks again Alan.
Kristian Spreckley said:

The way I did it was sourcing a good second hand frame and building up. That's the way I do most of my bikes though. I sourced a Ridley X-Fire from here for £430, the owner also sold me pretty new Ultegra levers and rear mech for £100 (rrp of levers and mech would be about £360) and then added bits I had and bought others. Put it together for a shade over £1000, had wheels already. I have caught the bug this season too and want to upgrade the wheels fo rthe start of next season. Cheers Kris

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