Questions first, details further below if you’re inclined to read everything. Thanks in advance.
- What am I giving up, or how much am I compromising, by using a cyclocross bike as a road bike?
- Anyone out there use a cross bike heavily as a road bike and what are your impressions? For you, does the versatility outweigh the compromises of not having a specific road bike?
- How much of a difference is there between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes for cross?
Price range is $1000 or less, so will likely be buying used. There is a lot to choose from in road bikes in this range, but the cross options seem more limited. Comparatively it seems I’d be able to get a much better road bike for the money than I could a cross bike.
Why I ask:
My primary bike is tri bike and second bike is a 16 year old cyclocross bike with cantilever brakes. I primarily use it as a road bike with a wheelset with road tires, but I have another wheelset with knobby tires I swap on for a few cross races and very occasional non-road rides. I’d like to replace it with something more modern, lighter, aggressive, and with better braking.
I enjoy road riding the most and the vast majority of total riding is on the road – tri training, spirited solo rides, and a few quicker group rides / events. I like the idea of still being able to mix in some cross races later in the year and doing a couple non-road rides, but that makes up a very small percentage of my riding. So I was thinking about getting a newer cross bike with disc brakes and two wheelsets like I have now but am wondering whether it’s really worth it. I.e. are the benefits of a versatile bike out weighed by the benefits of a road specific bike that was built for 90% of my riding?
I know the end decision will come down to whether I'm willing to give up CX, but the impact the bike will have plays a part in that decision, which is why I ask.
And getting a road bike and keeping my current one for cross racing isn’t a viable option for me. It was fine for getting my feet wet, but I view disc braking as necessary if I’m going to keep doing it. I’m ok with rim braking for road only riding. Not really into gravel riding so haven’t considered a true all road bike.
- What am I giving up, or how much am I compromising, by using a cyclocross bike as a road bike?
- Anyone out there use a cross bike heavily as a road bike and what are your impressions? For you, does the versatility outweigh the compromises of not having a specific road bike?
- How much of a difference is there between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes for cross?
Price range is $1000 or less, so will likely be buying used. There is a lot to choose from in road bikes in this range, but the cross options seem more limited. Comparatively it seems I’d be able to get a much better road bike for the money than I could a cross bike.
Why I ask:
My primary bike is tri bike and second bike is a 16 year old cyclocross bike with cantilever brakes. I primarily use it as a road bike with a wheelset with road tires, but I have another wheelset with knobby tires I swap on for a few cross races and very occasional non-road rides. I’d like to replace it with something more modern, lighter, aggressive, and with better braking.
I enjoy road riding the most and the vast majority of total riding is on the road – tri training, spirited solo rides, and a few quicker group rides / events. I like the idea of still being able to mix in some cross races later in the year and doing a couple non-road rides, but that makes up a very small percentage of my riding. So I was thinking about getting a newer cross bike with disc brakes and two wheelsets like I have now but am wondering whether it’s really worth it. I.e. are the benefits of a versatile bike out weighed by the benefits of a road specific bike that was built for 90% of my riding?
I know the end decision will come down to whether I'm willing to give up CX, but the impact the bike will have plays a part in that decision, which is why I ask.
And getting a road bike and keeping my current one for cross racing isn’t a viable option for me. It was fine for getting my feet wet, but I view disc braking as necessary if I’m going to keep doing it. I’m ok with rim braking for road only riding. Not really into gravel riding so haven’t considered a true all road bike.