I might be able to aquire another bike soon..........
I am really interested in giving cyclocross ago.......if i got a cyclocross bike would it be good enough to use on most mtb type trails.......
i'm not really sure what a cyclecross bike is to be honest.
I would never go on scary mtb trails as i am a scaredy cat.....
i have road bikex2 and my hybrid at the moment
Comments
You can do anything on it from race ironman to weaving cross.
I'd stick with what you've got unless you've a burning desire to race cyclocross. They are useful if you want to mix road riding with trails i suppose.
As for MTB trails - it'd be fine on family type trails but not anything technical.
if you don't want to touch technical MTB trails go with a cross bike if that's what you want.
but "most MTB trails" - define please. it will cope with some harder shit than a hybrid will, but if you're thinking of tackling things like the Gap at Pen-y-Fan, then no. But you'd be OK on the rougher parts of the Taff Trail for example, but even there some suspension will take the worst hits out.
personally - and as EP says - you'd probably be better off with a hardtail MTB for some of the trails down your way
no rough p[arts on the taff trail anymore FB.virtually all tarmac.can be done easily on ahybrid.
I was thinking some of the easier trails at cwmcarn and would it go over parths on the mountain etc.to go up caerphilly mountain trails.....
i really did fancy a bit of cylecross..the cycling version of x country runniung as I saw it...
and loks like i can get one new bike but not two so will have to choose..
I got myself a cyclo cross bike recently to add to the fleet (N+1 rule), I am going to use it for winter training and hopefully a bit of light trail riding. The roads around me are crap so anything that can take a few lumps/bumps and pothole bashes is good news, also I can set it up like my road bikes.
Truthfully it was shiny, I didn't have one, I had money burning a hole in my pocket and the wife said ok!
If she can have 300 + pairs of shoes then I can have a few(ish) bikes - just got to get time to use them all now..........
I think you'd still be better off with a MTB on the easier Cwmcarn trails or on some of the open mountain trails - front suspension will just make them a more pleasant experience.
XC bikes are better with grassy fields/soft trails/smoother grounds than the mountain trails you want to use. sure, you could use a XC on those mountain trails but - and don't take this the wrong way - would be best in the hands of a more experienced and technically competent cyclist
i have my old road bike for winter training and my hybid for when its snowy and need to use a trail....
just teh opportunity for a new bike has come up so trying to work out which would be best.....
i could have a cyclocross from cycling club to try cyclecross.......and then get a mtb......
so if i do is there anything i shlould be looking at to make sure that is going to be comfortable for under £1000
and FB...i wouldn't take that the wrong way.i can't even balance stationary for a second on my bike without putting my foot down.so technically crap..
My profile pic is me in the 3 peaks cyclo cross - so I may be biased but yes a cross bike can cope with most things. Downside most off road duathlons won't accept them (though they will accept cheapo £200 MTB's - go figure) and I have seen lightweight carbon frames be written off by the 3 peaks descents. You will become a far better bike handler but your upper body will take a beating. Disc brakes close the gap in performance and a 42-29 or similar front chainset rather than normal larger cross gearing will get you up most things and still give a reasonable gear for the road.
2wheels - yes, in the hands of a good cyclist a XC bike will cope with most things but seren would be the 1st to admit that she's not a great cyclist - good engine, not so good bike skills - so personally I think it would be wasted on her - a hardtail MTB would be the better bet
seren - as usual for all bikes - fit is the key. you need to go try a few and see how they feel. MTB geometry is different to road so it will initially feel very different to handle so I would suggest you either try some demo bikes from a LBS (that will depend on what they have) or hire from a MTB centre.
a £1K budget will get a good hardtail MTB - £2k would get a very good one - over £3K and you're into the state of the art/top end components league.
I would try cyclocross before buying a bike for it, not everyone likes it. To do well you need to be good technically. There is a big spread of fitness levels do it though - unlike road racing where you need to be reasonably fast to stay in the bunch cross is more like a running race in that you get into battles with the people around you and the front runners or back markers may as well be in a different race. I just found if I wasn't going to focus on it it was a lot of time and money for an hour riding round a park when I could go out and do 3-4 hours on the road and be home by lunch. Others love it though and it's probably the best introduction to bike racing for kids or adults who aren't that committed - I know a fair few who are into it from taking their kids.
MTBing seems to be less focussed and more recreational - I know there is a MTB race scene but even that seems to have more to offer than cross - more variety in terms of races etc. If someone would give me £350 for my cross bike I'd probably sell it and put it towards a better MTB.
My cross bike is fine for trails - I don't do any extreme stuff on it - but I reckon 95% of mountain bikes don't get used on those either.
If i had to have just one bike - it would be a cross bike - it can do anything.
Disc brakes may help in the mud - but if you go with conventional brakes - you can swap the wheels out with the rest of your fleet ?
There are a couple of adventure races where a cross bike is handy - the Scottish Coast to Coast for one....
now cougie that race is still on my radar but not for a few years time...
I just bought a cross bike and have been using it for commuting to work, winter training on the road and for having a bit of fun around the trails in the local forests etc.
Been a real flexible bike in those terms, much more so than an MTB in my opinion. I currently have got nobly tires on it but will change these for slicker tyres when just using on the road to bank winter miles.
My cross bike was invaluable this last winter for training .. that said, I do like my mtb and not sure I could choose between them
It should be a decision of which one seren, buy both. There may be a time when you 100% need a cross bike, there may be a time when you 100% need an MTB, therefore you need two more bikes and that is all the justification you need.