New Merida T5 Speeder or Cyclo-cross 5??

[Blackrock]

Time for a new commuter bike, but locked in with Merida. Money is not a factor.
I wanted to get the new carbon T5 speeder but Merida didn't put one out for 2014.

So I have a choice between the 2014 T5 Speeder (alloy) or the Cyclo-cross 5. I'm not leaning either way at the mo and would be comfortable with either bike. I typically do 16km each way 3-4 times a week on Sydney roads. Few big hills but generally road and not bike path. If anything the Cyclo-cross has a sexier paint scheme.....

Any advice from the masses to sway my decision?

[familyguy]

Two pretty different setups, with one a flat bar and the other with drops. Guess that's gotta factor in somewhere?

I prefer my flat bar for commuting (path and/or road), and general weekend family-ride duties.

Jim

[Mulger bill]

All weather?
Go for discs.

[silentbutdeadly]

There's not much spec out there for either bike as yet...but I'd be inclined to go with the cross bike because of the discs (though I'd switch tyres for commuting purposes). I also can't help thinking of binning the OE calipers for a set of TRP cable hydro calipers

[Blackrock]

Cheers guys.
Good advice re changing tyres for commuting.
I should be able to post something once the models are in country and I pick one up.
Thanks

[nezumi]

I'll be interested to see how the Cyclo Cross 5 goes - I use the 4 as my daily commuter (have re-shod it with Schwalbe Marathon Pluses for puncture protection).

I have a Topeak rack on the back for their ease of use slide-on/slide-off system.

With the CX bike you may have to either remove the interruptor brakes or get a bar extender (I use the Minoura one) to have room for lights etc.

[Blackrock]

Hi Nezumi,
was it purely cost that you went for the CC4?
I hadn't even considered fitment of lights and things like speedo's!
With your tyres, did you go down to 700/28's?
Looks like it should be delivered before Christmas, so search for Merida Test Rider - Commuter Bikes on Facebook or look on youtube for some of my reviews.
Cheers,
Paul

[nezumi]

Hi Nezumi,
was it purely cost that you went for the CC4?
I hadn't even considered fitment of lights and things like speedo's!
With your tyres, did you go down to 700/28's?
Looks like it should be delivered before Christmas, so search for Merida Test Rider - Commuter Bikes on Facebook or look on youtube for some of my reviews.
Cheers,
Paul

Partly cost, partly availability - when I was looking the Cyclo Cross 5 wasn't out yet.

I use the 700c x 28s for commuting, generally between 60 and 80 PSI depending on how often I remember to pump them up.

I look forward to the review!