CycloCross...

In article crYva.820156$3D1.464315@sccrnsc01 said:

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a CycloCross bike but need some help. I'm debating between buying a 1999
Cannondale XS800 w/headshock (used), Trek XO1 (new), or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the
same price range. The problem is I don't know enough about these bikes to make a decision. Any
thoughts...

I would try to get a CDale without the Headshok, but with disc brakes. Barring that, go with the
Redline. I've seen it in action, and it's a fairly good deal.

However, it's my opinion that steel bikes make better 'Cross bikes. The rattle off of the terrain is
brutal, and steel seems to vibrate a little less when in rattling terrain (whether by bike design or
by virtue of the metal itself, I don't know). A steel frame can be modified later to have disc tabs
on it (which I'm doing with my steel Brodie Romax this year) if you want to, and know a good frame
builder in the area. I recommend discs only if you're around my size - 6'3" and touching on 90kg
(200lbs). If you're smaller, take whatever brakes you have on the bike you get and sell them to buy
Spooky 'Cross brakes.

BTW, it's not really Cyclocross if you've got a suspension. If you want to race suspended, bring a
mountain bike. 🙂

JS

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Quoted message said:

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a CycloCross bike but need some help. I'm debating between buying a 1999
Cannondale XS800 w/headshock (used), Trek XO1 (new), or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the
same price range. The problem is I don't know enough about these bikes to make a decision. Any
thoughts...

Don't buy the cannondale - they're built by monkeys. Don't buy the Trek, they ripped off the name
from Bridgestone. Redlines are pretty nice. Consider the Lemond Poprad (steel, barcons, named after
a guy who won the TDF after almost dying in a hunting accident) even though it's really just a
rebadged Trek. I think Bianchi has a pretty well equipped stock CX bike in that price range.

Cheers,

-Andrew Thorne

Check out Waterford bikes too. www.waterfordbikes.com.

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"lawrence reis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:crYva.820156$3D1.464315@sccrnsc01...

Quoted message said:

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a CycloCross bike but need some help. I'm debating between buying a 1999
Cannondale XS800 w/headshock (used), Trek XO1 (new), or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the
same price range. The

problem

Quoted message said:

is I don't know enough about these bikes to make a decision. Any thoughts...

lawrence reis said:

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a CycloCross bike but need some help. I'm debating between buying a 1999
Cannondale XS800 w/headshock (used), Trek XO1 (new), or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the
same price range. The problem is I don't know enough about these bikes to make a decision. Any
thoughts...

I had a Redline Conquest Pro until quite recently.

At the risk of offending Pete, here are a few pics:

anthonysloan.comcyclocross.htmlOpen ↗

It was an OK bike. As others have stated, the aluminum frame rides fairly harsh. I made a lot of
changes to the stock spec, a few too many of which were neccesary.

Thw wheels were pretty soft. For off pavement use, I put on a set of the Ritchey CX wheels. The
Salsa Bell Lap bar, is, IMO almost a necessity, the extra control offered by the width and flare is
quite nice.

In the end it came down to ride comfort though. I'm currently scheming on a Soma or Vanilla.

A

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out Waterford bikes too. www.waterfordbikes.com.

Soulcraft "Groundskeeper" cyclocross: www.soulcraftbikes.com

The Groundskeeper is a podium magnet. I've seen Matt from Soulcraft do some insane stuff on his
Groundskeeper - things I wouldn't do on a mountain bike. Give Matt a call and he'll hook you up.

FWIW: The Soulcraft Option 3 hardtail frame was MTBR's People's Choice Award Winner for 2002. I've
ridden an Option 3 (one of the Soulcraft team bikes), and it was sweet indeed.

-Barry

Gunnar Cross Hairs is also made by Waterford, I believe, for a little less dough.

'Cross bikes are pretty versatile. Look for other little niceties like braze-ons for water bottles
and racks (obviously not used for racing but nice for other uses).

Rick Ohio

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Check out Waterford bikes too. www.waterfordbikes.com.

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"lawrence reis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:crYva.820156$3D1.464315@sccrnsc01...

Quoted message said:

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a CycloCross bike but need some help. I'm debating between buying a 1999
Cannondale XS800 w/headshock (used), Trek XO1

(new),

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the same price range. The

problem

Quoted message said:

is I don't know enough about these bikes to make a decision. Any thoughts...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the same price range.

The redline is a pretty decent 'Cross bike. If I hadn'd have Mark make me a custome Ti job I would a
got the RedLine

Now Disc brakes on a 'Cross bike that just ROCKS!
shavings.netalmost.jpgOpen ↗

"ClydesdaleMTB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the same price range.

The redline is a pretty decent 'Cross bike. If I hadn'd have Mark make me a custome Ti job I would
a got the RedLine

Now Disc brakes on a 'Cross bike that just ROCKS!
shavings.netalmost.jpgOpen ↗

That's your cross bike? That frame design doesn't leave much room for shouldering a bike, does it?

Rick Ohio

Richard Arnoldy said:

"ClydesdaleMTB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>or a Redline Conquest (new). All are in the same price range.
>

The redline is a pretty decent 'Cross bike. If I hadn'd have Mark make me a custome Ti job I would
a got the RedLine

Now Disc brakes on a 'Cross bike that just ROCKS!
shavings.netalmost.jpgOpen ↗

That's your cross bike?

Aye.

Quoted message said:

That frame design doesn't leave much room for shouldering a bike, does it?

It just looks that way because of the funky rake of the top tube. But, actually it does leave plenty
of room for shouldering even with both water bottles in place.