Helping brother with bike purchase

[slabHB]

My brother lives in Pittsburgh and would like to start getting into cycling. He called me up the other day and surprised me by saying he wanted to buy a road bike. He and I used to ride bmx back in the day but that was it for him and bikes. If you've ever been to Pittsburgh, you know its very hilly and the roads are not taken care of at all, also lots of rain, snow, etc. He would mostly ride the bike on the city streets and on this smooth gravel trail network they have there. I suggested a cyclocross bike to him instead of a pure road bike. I figured the geometry is more suitable for someone that doesnt race, and there is a wider option in tires so that he can run the thicker on the gravel trail and then throw real roadie wheels on if he wanted that option for street. I am asking you guys/gals for opinions on this since I never owned either.
Any bikes that are good for under $1000? Again...this is his first real bike of any sorts.
Thanks

[DISCO]

SE draft, $329.

Changing the gearing, $25.

But wouldn't a Brotha prefer a bike like this instead of store bought?

[slabHB]

I thought about single speeds, but isn't that going to be tough to pedal up steep hills? Not as hilly as San Fran, but pretty close.

[stevers]

Surly crosscheck! I don't own one, though. Just lust after it. I haven't tried a steel frame, so I can't comment on the "steel is real" trend.

[sperminator]

he also could look into a hybrid bike it just depends on much he really thinks he will be riding it. You could also look at bikesdirect.com for their cx options.

[ubermensch]

It's hard to beat the versatility of a cx bike. I went with a Surly Cross Check and got just the frame because I had parts laying around, but the complete bike is a good deal too at just under a grand.

[slabHB]

yeah..i think the crosscheck is really cool looking! how much do you think it would cost if he wanted to at some point add gearing?

Originally Posted by DISCO

SE draft, $329.

Changing the gearing, $25.

But wouldn't a Brotha prefer a bike like this instead of store bought?

LOL am i seeing right? is there hydros mounted on the back there????!

Originally Posted by ubermensch

It's hard to beat the versatility of a cx bike. I went with a Surly Cross Check and got just the frame because I had parts laying around, but the complete bike is a good deal too at just under a grand.

Yeah, Im thinking my original assumption of a cx bike is the best way to go.

[strobelite]

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ad/2299/32184/

[heith]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Fo...09/5360037595/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Fo...09/5360037597/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ki...de/5360043854/
I say these bikes are the best deals because of the components. If he ever wanted to get a new bike he would just need a frame.

[stevers]

Originally Posted by slabHB

yeah..i think the crosscheck is really cool looking! how much do you think it would cost if he wanted to at some point add gearing?

The CX comes with gearing, no? Semi-horizontal dropouts, so you could do both. Jenson has them for $1000 ish.

[ubermensch]

Originally Posted by slabHB

yeah..i think the crosscheck is really cool looking! how much do you think it would cost if he wanted to at some point add gearing?

The hub will accept 9 and 10 speed cassettes, so if anything you are more limited to how much clearance the rear derailleur can provide. I was lucky and was able to get away with a short cage RD for a 11-32 cluster. I got the cluster for $20 from someone off this board.

[pinoiryder]

how bout a 29er with 1x9 gearing.. we were able to built one for under 1k before.. surely he'll be able to do so..

here what we came up before..