Need a new ride

[sperminator]

Im looking to pick up a new ride with in the next month seeing my car had an untimely encounter with a light pole. I was thinking about a cyclocross because im rough on the ride im borrowing from a neighbor. Any advice out there is welcome, as in cx vs. roadie.

Im also planning to try to make it out to the july sart roadie ride.

[Rob]

CX bikes make great all around/commuter bikes.

I'd recommend something in steel and with disc brakes. Check out the Salsa La Cruz. Make sure whatever you get has rack eyelets so you can make the bike useful too for hauling stuff from the grocery store.

If you don't mind regular brakes, the Surly Cross Check, and Long Haul Trucker are good bikes.

Also, check out a Karate Monkey and a spare set of wheels loaded up with slick tires. The Karate Monkey can also serve as a MTB, Touring Bike, Utility Bike, Adventure racing bike/bikecamping bike, etc.

[dutch]

lemond poprad disc!

If you can find one in your size (you'll likely have to order it) they are at crazy closeout deals right now due to the severing of ties with trek.

We just had one go out of our shop today, and i think it was something like regular price 1600 down to just under a grand.

plus they look freakin sweet.

[2wheel_lee]

I have a Specialized Tricross, and although it's made of aluminum, it's as smooth as full suspension mountain bike. Although it's been a while since I've ridden it, I rode it on the Fullerton Loop last Thursday, and there's a section of rough trail where my fillings get rattled on my steel Surly hardtail (a 1x1) with a Reba fork and 2.4" tires (at only 35 psi). My Tricross, with 65 psi and 32 mm tires, was unbelieveably smooth through that section! I'm not just saying that the bike was smooth "for what it is," but it was smooth compared to my fully suspended mountain bikes!

Although I don't use this bike for touring, it does have rack eyelets. I have done some road rides with it, and it works very well (compared to my Specialized Roubaix). For a bike that can do it all, I'd vote for the Tricross without a doubt.

If you ride a CX bike like it was meant to be ridden - and carried - don't get a bike with discs. There's a good reason they're not allowed in competition.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

don't get a bike with discs. There's a good reason they're not allowed in competition.

Why not? Especially for a commuter? Disc brakes = low maintenance...

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by katonk

Why not? Especially for a commuter? Disc brakes = low maintenance...

For a commuter discs are great! But if it's used as a CX bike (and carried over obstacles), the discs may create a burning sensation. However, if it's just ridden around the Fully Loop he'd be fine.

Cable-operated disc brakes require the same maintenance as any other cable-operated rim brake.