Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi Guys,

Am after recomendations for a CX bike for under $2000. Have looked at the Merida CX 4, looks like pretty good value for around $1700

Cheers, Fletch

Have a look at the Boardman CX bikes on wiggle. I got a Boardman Team CX ~2 years ago and it's been great. I've done a mix of single track, gravel grinds and commuting and it's been perfect.

What's your reason for wanting a CX bike? i.e. are you actually wanting it to do CX races, or for gravel grinding, commuting, etc?

I have a Merida CX4 and I've been very happy with it so far, however it is a little on the heavy side (though similar to others at this price point).

I'd also say shop around, the prices for Merida at 99 bikes are far lower than $1,700 for the CX4: $1,399 and $1,999 for the CX5
http://99bikes.com.au/merida-cyclo-cross-4-2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://99bikes.com.au/merida-cyclo-cross-5-2014" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nezumi,

I have just sold my older 29er and looking for something inbetween my Superfly MTB and Roady. I will more than likely try some racing as I currently race my MTB with GMBC. I used to ride the sold MTB along the bike tracks and dirt rds around home so a CX makes some sense rather than another MTB.

Thanks for the advice re 99 bikes. At their prices could get a cx5 or get local merida dealer (Superstore Geelong) to match the price I had a Merida scultura before I upgraded to an S works tarmac frame. Merida have always been good value.

Lard, will check out the boardman stuff but would rather support a shop for bike purchases

There's quite a few options in the $1,500 to $2k bracket from all the majors - Cannondale CaadX, Focus Mares, Specialized CruX, Trek Crockett, Felt F65 to name a few.

http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/cycloc ... y=cheapest" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Main thing to remember is that most of the OEM CX wheelsets are (at best) merely functional but often not much better than decorative (eg. the $2K Bianchi Zurigo with its Joytech hubs). If you have to have a decent spare 29er disc wheelset...you may be golden.

Buyer's guide http://www.bikeradar.com/au/gear/articl ... ion-39859/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to race legally, get 33mm tyres.

grasshopper wrote:Buyer's guide http://www.bikeradar.com/au/gear/articl ... ion-39859/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to race legally, get 33mm tyres.

And, legally or otherwise, look preferably for a 46/36 crankset (or, rather, not a standard compact crankset). 50 is a bit high and a 16t shift a bit slow. A lot of the lower end CXs just have standard compacts.

Fletch wrote:Nezumi,

I have just sold my older 29er and looking for something inbetween my Superfly MTB and Roady. I will more than likely try some racing as I currently race my MTB with GMBC. I used to ride the sold MTB along the bike tracks and dirt rds around home so a CX makes some sense rather than another MTB.

Thanks for the advice re 99 bikes. At their prices could get a cx5 or get local merida dealer (Superstore Geelong) to match the price I had a Merida scultura before I upgraded to an S works tarmac frame. Merida have always been good value.

Lard, will check out the boardman stuff but would rather support a shop for bike purchases

Hi Fletch,
I was down at this Lbs a couple of days ago, and was told they are closing down by this April.
As they are Merida stockists I thought you may be interested. No affiliations at all on my part. Sad to see another LBS closing down.
http://www.mainlinecycles.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fletch wrote: At their prices could get a cx5 or get local merida dealer (Superstore Geelong) to match the price I had a Merida scultura before I upgraded to an S works tarmac frame. Merida have always been good value.

Fletch, there are a few CX4 riders on the forums, so plenty of info there. I have posted a couple of youtube video reviews of my CX5 and would be happy to answer any questions you've got.

Thanks for all the comments and advice, have looked at all the specs etc of quite a few models and have gone with a Crocket, got a great deal from my LBS, also have a Superfly carbon 100 from them.

I do have a set of Bontrager RXL wheels from the Superfly, I run roval SL carbon rims in it and the RXL's are as new, these maybe better than Crocket std wheels and are tubless ready. Just need some adaptors as are 15mm and 142.

Are CX crew running tubless? What tyres are popular?

Did about 12km on the Crockett tonight at the You yangs stockyards, track 2,5 and some of the others in the lower part before the No Frills Fri race, rode the MTB in race. Was impressed with the trek, climbs well and handles nicely, bit twitchy compared to MTB. was surprised by climbing grip when out of the saddle.

Looking forward to doing some km's on it around the kurrajong on Sunday

Any pictures?

Will get some, Have ditched the std evoke saddle and popped on a flite carbonio from my old mtb, replaced black bar tape with a better quality cork style in blue and swapped 36t small ring to a 34t. Am going to head out to the kurrajong and give it a good few hrs on the trails.

Would like some info on tyres as I want to go bigger than the std 32mm was thinking 38 or 40mm for a bit more comfort and grip.

Did 50km on the crockett today, awesome fun through the Kurrajong tracks and also up great Circle drive and over to the stockyards, glad I bunged on the 34t ring, this thing climbs really well. went down Rockwell which was interesing being in the drops.

Really enjoyed the ride today, got used to the different handling and was scooting along on my 2nd lap of the kurrajong, bit sketchy in the sandy patches and had a few sphincter puckering moments.

would like to get some bigger tyres to replace the 32mm bontrager cx3's, only for a bigger bag, although have to admit very impressed by the grip of these narrow beasties. Also might look around for a setback seatpost.

Anyway Am stoked with this bike

Nice...saw this on RB. There's some cheapish Racing Ralphs around at 700x35 that should do good things for you (as they do for me). Anything much wider is more tuned for touring plus your frame clearances may not allow it.

Learn to get you weight back more than you might on the MTB and keep pedalling in the sand and you may surprise yourself. Also keep your hands hooked up deep in the curve of the drop bar when the going gets 'interesting' rather than punching from the tops...tighter control, more braking power...

As you suggest SBD, have been looking around at tyres and the ralphs in performance are good value and a little bigger, may go evo and tubless. I run ralphs on the MTB and love them. have plenty of width in the forks but not too much height clearance so 35 should still give some mud room if needed.
Sand in a straight line was fine, got a bit sketchy on a few corners, more to do with me being a tad relaxed. Agree with tight in the drops and back further

Did you get it from Hendry's and do you mind if i ask how much you paid?

Yes Fletch62, got it from Hendry. Would rather not say what I paid, however after having ridden it a fair bit now would highly recommend the crockett to anyone looking for a bike around the $2k mark.

Seeing as Fletch has bought his bike, i might threadjack this rather than start a new one.
Im also looking for a CX bike under $2000, but more like under $1500.
My main use will be doing a mix of bitumen/gravel road rides. Essentially im looking for a road bike i can put 30+mm tyres on and ride gravel, or put 25's on and keep up in a pack ride. Ride out to the country, tackle some gravel loops then back home.
My current bike has 25's on and thats about as big as it will allow.
Anyone got or ridden a Jamis Nova Pro?
http://www.iridebikes.com.au/store/bran ... 2-nova-pro
Seems like a fairly good spec, Alu. frame, carbon rear, full carbon fork and SRAM Apex running gear.
Other options are the Spec. Crux or a Trek Ion from last year.
Thoughts?

Cannondale CAADX 105. Mine has done 25000 Kms in two and a half years. Road, trails, gravel and touring. It has done the lot. I have 3 sets of wheels with 25/28/35c tyres for different types of riding.


Sent from my iPhinger ...

Had a look at one of them last night. Is there an issue with the front brakes and having to let the tyre down to remove the wheel?

fletch62 wrote:Had a look at one of them last night. Is there an issue with the front brakes and having to let the tyre down to remove the wheel?

Not as far as I know. You release the brakes by closing them against the rim and flipping the cable end (the one with the barrel adjuster) out.... easey-peasey.

Unless the standard Tektro cantis are different. Mine has Avid Shorty Ultimates ... minor upgrade at purchase.

the local research has already been done for you. you're welcome.

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2012/04/ctech ... nder-2000/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just saw that article the other day also.
I ended up getting a Kona Major Jake frameset, with saddle, seatpost, bars, stem and 105 f/d for $330 on evilbay. Doesnt even look like its been used, stickers are still on all the components.
Bought a red BB30 crankset for $60, Acera r/d for $10 (thanks forum), Tektro 926 mini-v $25(ebay), Shimano r501 wheels $82(cycling express) and 105 levers for $110.
Just need cables, tyres, cassette & chain and should end up costing well under 1k.
Can't wait to get it out in the bush around Bambra.

Here is something a bit more up to date than the CyclingTips article

http://www.bikeradar.com/au/gear/articl ... ion-39859/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;