I think I've finally decided on a bike...thoughts?

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So after having the negatives of Hybrids explained to me at length I've decided that I might as well bite the bullet and get a CX bike so pipped for the PX XLS Shimano 105
CBPXXLS105_P1.jpg


Does anyone have any better suggestions?

I just need to customize it now and select clipless pedals if anyone can recommend some. Sizing is my biggest concern along with cassette. I'm 6'6" with 37" inseam and -2 "ape index" if that helps any.
 
Re clip less - I would go SPD first, and get the A520 pedals do you can also ride it with flat shoes for popping to the shops.
Cassette wise I assume you're going for a compact and then it depends on how may hills you plans and how fit you are. I would personally err on the side of larger cassette and it's better to spin than grind up
 
Agreed with GSVBagpuss.

Aside from that, awesome choice of bike. I bought one earlier in the year and it has been great :)

Stick with a compact cassette but I'd suggest swapping out the tyres for some more suitable for roads (assuming you're going on roads). I've recently moved to 25mm Michelin Pro4 Endurance and they've been great. Steer clear of Gatorskins.
 
It'll have a cyclocross chainset (46/36) rather than a compact but that wont make too much difference. You could easily swap the cassette if you wanted but I think it'll be fine the way it is.

I have the same bike (bought the frame and built it myself, so not the same spec). It's very light and fast for a cx bike. It is designed as a cx race bike so it doesnt have any mudguard/rack mounts or anything like that.
I ride mine through the winter on studded ice tyres and SPD-SL pedals then change to cx tyres and SPD pedals for off-road and cyclocross races.
Also use wide road tyres on it for wet days on the road (disc brakes are so much better than rim brakes in the wet).
 
I gathered that from the big image of the bike :D Just thought i would add my experiences with the company. Email support wasn't the best though as received a few that didn't really make much sense.
 
oops, did I say clipless, I meant flats :eek:

I was considering SPD's but I don't think I'll ever use anything other than trainers making them somewhat redundant.

Stick with a compact cassette but I'd suggest swapping out the tyres for some more suitable for roads (assuming you're going on roads). I've recently moved to 25mm Michelin Pro4 Endurance and they've been great. Steer clear of Gatorskins.

It's mainly for commuting and the odd ride on the weekends. My journey to work is mainly country roads with lots of potholes and a small trail so tyres that can handle a bit off offroading would be necessary, plus something thats good in the winter.

The cassette question was more in relation to the customization PX allows, I.e. 11-28/11-25/12-25. I'd consider myself to be relatively fit and hills are still manageable on my dreadful bike I have at present.
 
schwalbe land cruisers are pretty awesome, nice grip on trails but don't have that horrible woosh sound when your going fast on pavement.
iJ5meGQ.jpg
done about 400 miles on them and 0 punctures, same kevlar guard as in the tyres from my old bike that had schwalbe tyrago tyres and I never got a puncture on those in around 1300 miles either


good choice on the CX bike over a hybrid!

I've got a merida cyclocross 4 which is likely almost identicle specs to that planetx bike apart from mine is aluminium with a alu/carbon fork but still pretty light at 10kg stock on the 58cm model
VlVeBw2.jpg
My bike has holes for mudguards and panier though :P
FSA Gossamer Cross 46-36 Mega
cassette 12-28


I struggle on some hills grinding at like 60-70 cadence in the easiest gear but they are like 10% gradient so pretty steep, I think once my chain needs replacing I will go for a slightly wider cassette as this is cyclocross gearing for muddy fields etc not hill climbing

probably go with a 12-30t
 
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I gathered that from the big image of the bike :D Just thought i would add my experiences with the company. Email support wasn't the best though as received a few that didn't really make much sense.

On One are the same company as Planet-X, who make the bike in the opening post.

Basically, On One are the MTB side, Planet X are the Road side.
 
On One are the same company as Planet-X, who make the bike in the opening post.

Basically, On One are the MTB side, Planet X are the Road side.

I think thats what he was getting at.

As it happens, the PlanetX bike in the OP was originally going to be an On-One.
I bought one of the first batch of frames they had and it came unbranded (with a planet-x sticker sheet included), i assume they were still deciding which brand to sell it under at that point.

The test frames that the team riders raced on were branded On-One:
9N1SR4j.jpg.png
 
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