I grew up on hardtails and have been on a Trek DS 8.5 for the past year now for commuting. I have made a lot of friends who ride centuries on the weekend. I can keep up with the group on the dual sport but I am definitely struggling in the end. I currently live in Puerto Rico and the roads are even worse then my hometown NYC. I like the idea of larger tires and the rough road capability of a cyclocross bike (not to mention the opportunity to race when I move), but I do not want to rule out road bikes. My main concern is getting a cyclocross bike and still not being able to keep pace during weekend races and wishing I bought a full roadie. I appreciate anyone who has some input on the subject. I also understand everyone has their own preferences and experiences. I just don't know much about the differences between cyclocross and road bikes. I know cyclocross generally speaking has a higher stance for balance, and slightly larger tires, but that's about it.
Bike buying advice · Public discussion
Cyclocross VS Road Bike
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- 18 September 2013
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Stay away from cyclocross bikes if you intend to just ride on the road. If the roads are super rough like Paris roubaix then yeah a cross bikes makes sense.
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Quote: Originally Posted by ambal [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]
Stay away from cyclocross bikes if you intend to just ride on the road. If the roads are super rough like Paris roubaix then yeah a cross bikes makes sense.I disagree with the above advice.
If I were to have only one bicycle, it would be a cross bike. A cross bike provides the option to run larger tires, but you can use 23c as well. I have seen plenty of cross bikes in my group rides. The biggest issue the riders have is for the short sprints at high speed, they spun out due to having a 48 tooth big ring.
The OP mentioned rough roads, larger tires will go a long way to smoothing out the ride.
If your rides' pace is pretty quick and you need to spend a lot of time aerodynaminc, in the drops, then a road bike geometry will be advantageous.
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I've never been to Puerto Rico but grew up in NYC and just recently moved to Philly, where the roads are similar. Also just bought a cross bike, and I'm glad I did. I'm an inexperienced rider - or, more accurately, a once experienced rider who has not ridden in many years. I DO plan to eventually get a dedicated road bike in addition to the current cross bike, but given that I can, for now, have (afford) only one, I figured the cross bike would be much more versatile. I don't regret the choice whatsoever.
Because the streets here can be a bit rough, I simply wanted something that would make me worry a little bit less about beating up my bike. I do not race and overall I do not prioritize high speed. So far, I love my bike for commuting - everything I wanted. I might think a little differently if I planned to race. Also, the weather here is obviously a little less favorable at times than the weather in Puerto Rico. Ultimately, I feel like I'll eventually need at least two bikes. But only being able to have one, I'd choose a cross bike again.
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Quote: Originally Posted by maydog [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]
I disagree with the above advice.If I were to have only one bicycle, it would be a cross bike. A cross bike provides the option to run larger tires, but you can use 23c as well. I have seen plenty of cross bikes in my group rides. The biggest issue the riders have is for the short sprints at high speed, they spun out due to having a 48 tooth big ring.
The OP mentioned rough roads, larger tires will go a long way to smoothing out the ride.
If your rides' pace is pretty quick and you need to spend a lot of time aerodynaminc, in the drops, then a road bike geometry will be advantageous.
BTW. I believe that most off-the-peg Cross bikes still come with cranks which have a 130BCD ... Regardless, if necessary, the 48t Chainring can certainly be replaced with a larger Chainring ... Ditto for the inner Chainring if it is smaller than 38t.
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Almost I would choose cyclocross bicycle,I think that it's handlebar is more comfortable than road bike.Choose one you like.
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