Do it all road bike (cx?)

DanF

DanF

DanF

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Joined
16 Feb 2004
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London
Hi,

I'm looking to get back in to some road cycling after being off a bike for a couple. I've done loads of both mtb and road riding before. Current fitness isn't great but I've started to ride to work again and I've been doing light gym work for a couple of years. I'm currently 183cm and weight 77kg.

Was thinking of going for a lightish CX style bike, things I'd like to do on it is some year round commuting, weekend camping trips, normal weekend club rides (40-60 miles) and the occasional not very serious sportive (up to 80 miles). Some of the CX bikes allow for larger tyres and have mudguard and rack mounts to cover the winter and camping side of things.

Looks wise the Cannondale CAADX Rival 22 Disc 2015 is really nice, love the colour. But it'd come with std CX style 46/36 chainset and knoblies.

Or the ROSE PRO DX CROSS-4400 with custom spec seems like a good idea. Can spec it with the lighter wheels, road tyers, 50/34 compact and 12-28 for decent spread of gears. Weight should be pretty good as well somewhere from 8-8.5kg for my size.

Budget from 1000-1500. I'll be selling a mtb I've not used for ages to cover most of it.

what do you think?
 
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Chinese carbon build could give you an 8kg ish bike with ultegra, carbon 50mm rims and shimano hydraulic for about 1500 if you fancied going that route. I've been extremely happy with mine :)
 
I'm on my phone/a bus at the moment but when I get home I'll try to dug out my posts for you.

Frame I got is this:http://flyxii.com/en/products/flx-fr-602-matt.html

The wheels are from Aliexpress though I don't have the link right now. I ordered the brakes from Germany and everything else from CRC using my free British Cycling membership for a 10% discount on everything.

Although more hassle than buying pre-built it let me spread the cost over 2 months and it was satisfying to do it all myself. On top of that I have a light disc/road bike with specs that would cost a lot more....and most importantly (for me) mudguard mounts :p
 
I like it, pretty damn stealth :) how long did it take for all the parts to arrive? Delivery time is the only thing stopping me ordering a Rose atm.
 
I don't see why not. I'm fairly sure there are appropriate carbon frames from China. Vonhelmet and Grudas recently both built SS bikes (with UK-sourced parts) in the main Road Cycling thread too.
 
Almost all the bikes my size and a good spec on Canyon have sold out for the year. The Rose bikes are all really long wait lists as well so I've decided to get something sourced locally and take the hit on the wallet.

Had my measurements taken and then setup on a couple of bikes on a turbo at the LBS, they recommended bikes with higher frontends than full race bikes (ungh I'm not old yet, honest).

Checked out the Roubaix and Synapse on a short test ride and found the Synapse fitted really well in 56cm. They let me take out the demo £3600 version for a couple of days testing :D god that's a nice bike. So I'm really tempted to get the £2500 version, a bit over budget but it feels great and available really quickly.

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/20...ad/synapse-carbon/synapse-carbon-ultegra-disc

The main changes from the demo to this one is much more normal wheels. The demo had some really nice carbon rimmed wheels what where very light for disc wheels. The finishing kit and frame material are slightly lower grade as well but doubt I'd notice.

What do you think?
 
beware the orders from Rose can potentially be up to 8 weeks plus for delivery.

I ordered last week and got a build date of 24th July!
 
FrenchTart said:
I don't see why not. I'm fairly sure there are appropriate carbon frames from China. Vonhelmet and Grudas recently both built SS bikes (with UK-sourced parts) in the main Road Cycling thread too.
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Sounds good, do you have a supplier for the frame? I've had a scout about but can't find much for single speed and disc mount.
 
DanF said:
Almost all the bikes my size and a good spec on Canyon have sold out for the year. The Rose bikes are all really long wait lists as well so I've decided to get something sourced locally and take the hit on the wallet.

Had my measurements taken and then setup on a couple of bikes on a turbo at the LBS, they recommended bikes with higher frontends than full race bikes (ungh I'm not old yet, honest).

Checked out the Roubaix and Synapse on a short test ride and found the Synapse fitted really well in 56cm. They let me take out the demo £3600 version for a couple of days testing :D god that's a nice bike. So I'm really tempted to get the £2500 version, a bit over budget but it feels great and available really quickly.

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/20...ad/synapse-carbon/synapse-carbon-ultegra-disc

The main changes from the demo to this one is much more normal wheels. The demo had some really nice carbon rimmed wheels what where very light for disc wheels. The finishing kit and frame material are slightly lower grade as well but doubt I'd notice.

What do you think?
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I think you are being seduced away from your original brief. Frankly I think you are mad to spend £2500 on a Synapse. Not that its not a decent bike but lets face it you aren't racing and don't need that level of equipment to get fit, look good and ride fast. For far less money you could get a Cx bike and a road bike that would be great for all your cycling needs (that don't require suspension).

Two bikes are always better than one. You can keep one nice for good weather and/or for on the turbo if you really get into it and want to train. the other on (CX) would be great for commuting or riding in ****** weather or off road.
 
Calpol said:
Two bikes are always better than one. You can keep one nice for good weather and/or for on the turbo if you really get into it and want to train. the other on (CX) would be great for commuting or riding in ****** weather or off road.
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And if one breaks you can use the other one. I currently have two bikes in the shed and one in bits because it's about to get sent off for powdercoating.
 
mm though process over the weekend was:

commuting - fix up my single speed, will need some new kit and then be fine for the 5-6 mile commute to work (no-one wants to nick this)

camping - can get clipon handlebar bags and clipon rack that would hold enough for a 2 night camping trip. can fit on pure road bikes.

off-road - I'm going to sell my current mtb as it's just not getting used, all my mates have switched to road riding

So reqs have changed to a fairly nice road only bike that's comfy on longer rides :p

Also speaking to a friend, he wants to plan for a trip to the alps in August, I'd only have 2 months of training now to get in shape for alps climbs.
 
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DanF said:
mm though process over the weekend was:
camping - can get clipon handlebar bags and clipon rack that would hold enough for a 2 night camping trip. can fit on pure road bikes.
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Id never do this on a bike worth more than £500. It might say its possible on the brochure but id stay well away from it.


Im in a similar situation to you. Just put a deposit down on a BMC GF02 with disc brakes. 'Adventure' Road bike / Cross bike, capable of using panniers.

Swap out the tyres to 25's and you've got a lovely (road) bike cable able of doing everything grubby like winter riding or laborious such as the commute. Use the 35's for off road & spring classics like flanders or the roubaix.

My TMR02 will be pure spring/summer use only.
 
kiteloopy said:
Id never do this on a bike worth more than £500. It might say its possible on the brochure but id stay well away from it
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There's bag alternatives as well, just measured my tiny 1 man tent and it'd go in to one of these bag frames. Sleeping bag on a front mount bag then just 1 days spare clothes etc and eat on the way.

https://www.apidura.com/shop/?sort=saddle

The bike is probably a bit OTT :p was also considering the cheaper versions as well, the 105 spec still looks pretty good.

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-synapse-carbon-105-5-2015.html
 
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