I Can't Decide. Road or CX Bike for Central London?

WuMyster

WuMyster

WuMyster

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London, UK
With all the public transport issues these past months, I decided to try my luck at cycling around Central London and fallen in love. I'm using an old/heavy Merida MTB I bought years ago just for something to get me around when I was living outside of London.

Now I plan on commuting by bike 99% of the time. I have a budget of around £1500 but cannot for the life of me decide if I want a CX or road bike.

CX is more versatile, hydraulic discs come on cheaper bikes but I just can't budge the fact that I will be faster on a road bike and there are no trail routes in Central London.

Any thoughts on which I can pick? Musts are hydraulic disc brakes.
 
Roadie with discs - I have a Spesh Roubaix with carbon frame and discs and it's a breeze to ride through the worst Bristol has to offer. A CX bike will offer things you'll never need: frame strength, low range gears and knobbly tyres.
 
If you swapped the CX tyres for road tyres I don't see why it would be that much slower and you obviously have the possibility to switch the CX tyres back on for some off-road fun.

The likes of the Arkose 4 has a compact chainset too. The CX team could be a little short ranged with it's 1x11. Also both of those have proper mudguard fittings.
 
From UTmaniac's post, I adore my Pinnacle Dolomite 5 (2015), comfortable geometry, fits 25c tires and SKS Chromo's without any issue, survived last winter and is about to go through it again. Has about 3500 miles done now. :)
 
All the above advice is good. Whatever you buy, get 25c tyres on there (4seasons or Pro4 Endurance V2 or similar...avoid gatorskins like the plague).

Ideal bang for buck bike is 105-level with hydraulic discs.
 
Adventure bike for best of both worlds. I have the previous Arkose 4 and have used for racing as well as a winter bike. Great spec with 105 and hydro shimano brakes. Change the tyres and away you go.
 
If this bike is going to be a commuting machine, you might find a rigid fork hybrid would do a good job in a busy area, giving you better visibility at the cost of a less aero position (so slightly slower).

Bikes like...
Voodoo Marasa
Pinnacle Ramin One
Boardman Hybrid Comp/Team/Pro

How well maintained are the likely route(s) you will use? Some parts of my commute have pretty bad tarmac (worst of it was recently re-surfaced, getting rid of lots of potholes), as much as I go a little quicker (hard to put a figure on it, as trip time more influenced by good run of green traffic lights, ~2mph?) on my 700x40c skinny wheels/tyres, I love the extra cushioning on my close to maximum inflated 26x4" fat wheels/tyres.
 
UTmaniac said:
If this bike is going to be a commuting machine, you might find a rigid fork hybrid would do a good job in a busy area, giving you better visibility at the cost of a less aero position (so slightly slower).

Bikes like...
** Voodoo Marasa **
Pinnacle Ramin One
Boardman Hybrid Comp/Team/Pro
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Do this

FrenchTart said:
All the above advice is good. Whatever you buy, get 25c tyres on there (** 4seasons ** or Pro4 Endurance V2 or similar...avoid gatorskins like the plague).
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Put these on.

That's what I've got although I bought 28c tyres.

WuMyster said:
So for someone like me who doesn't want to bother changing tires.
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I'd never changed a tyre/tube before yesterday, it took me somewhere between half an hour and forty five minutes to swap both tyres and tubes, there are plenty of guides on youtube so just find the one with the prettiest presenter ;)
 
Feek said:
Do this


Put these on.

That's what I've got although I bought 28c tyres.


I'd never changed a tyre/tube before yesterday, it took me somewhere between half an hour and forty five minutes to swap both tyres and tubes, there are plenty of guides on youtube so just find the one with the prettiest presenter ;)
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Took note of your recommendation.

I've been MTBing for my whole life, I can change an inner tube in 2-3 minutes but for a commuting machine, I just want to ride it and not have to change tyres for seasons.
 
A few tips for a London bike:

  • £1500 is a lot of money to leave locked up around London. It's a big risk. Think about what locks you want to ensure it doesn't get stolen. Fahg, Kryptonite Mini etc.
  • Bin ALL the quick releases in favour of conventional hex or security fittings. If it comes off easily, it will get stolen.
  • London bikes get bashed around a lot. People kick them. People bash into them. Other bikes get crashed into them. Make sure the bike can take some punishment and take getting scratched up. Thin carbon not most suitable, aluminium is better.
  • Stealth is best. Don't attract attention - less likely to attract thieves. Take off the loud stickers.
  • When riding in London traffic, it's best to be able to easily access your controls. Brakes and gears are no use if your hands are elsewhere. It's easiest to ride with your brakes where your hands normally are and you'll quickly get bored keep grabbing for the hoods if you don't find it comfortable riding on them all the time. Crosstops can solve this on a road bike.
  • Do you NEED gears? Fixed gear and SS are so popular in London for a reason. There are no hills. Fixed and SS is much less maintenance and far less to go wrong or out of adjustment.
  • Roads in London are getting worse and worse. I'd agree with the 25mm tyre size minimum. I ride mine on 20s, but will almost get thrown off the bike on some roads if I'm not paying attention.
  • If it's being left outside then durability is more important than lightweight and performance. Sealed bearings and stuff that doesn't corrode or degrade. Tough tyres. Strong wheels.
 
Jonny69 said:
A few tips for a London bike:

  • £1500 is a lot of money to leave locked up around London. It's a big risk. Think about what locks you want to ensure it doesn't get stolen. Fahg, Kryptonite Mini etc.
    Will be locked up at home or in work. I do also own a full size Kryptonite Fahg lock but may pick up the smaller one later down the line.
  • Bin ALL the quick releases in favour of conventional hex or security fittings. If it comes off easily, it will get stolen.
    Plan was to remove quick releases.
  • London bikes get bashed around a lot. People kick them. People bash into them. Other bikes get crashed into them. Make sure the bike can take some punishment and take getting scratched up. Thin carbon not most suitable, aluminium is better.
    People will be jerks, I'll have the bike insured with Wiggles.
  • Stealth is best. Don't attract attention - less likely to attract thieves. Take off the loud stickers.
    ............. I like stickers
  • Do you NEED gears? Fixed gear and SS are so popular in London for a reason. There are no hills. Fixed and SS is much less maintenance and far less to go wrong or out of adjustment.
    Couldn't imagine riding without gears; especially from a red light. I've tried a fixie and the only thing I like about it was the ability to balance at a red light with both feet on pedals.
  • Roads in London are getting worse and worse. I'd agree with the 25mm tyre size minimum. I ride mine on 20s, but will almost get thrown off the bike on some roads if I'm not paying attention.
    This is what makes the decision of CX or road so hard for me. I feel as though London roads are good but almost everyone disagrees. I may be lucky with the routes I'm taking.
  • If it's being left outside then durability is more important than lightweight and performance. Sealed bearings and stuff that doesn't corrode or degrade. Tough tyres. Strong wheels.
    Won't be left outside. Will be in my home.
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Feek said:
Sorry, I misunderstood your comment about changing tyres :)
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No worries.
 
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