Late last night I picked up a replacement ride for my stolen CX bike. While I would have loved to get a new bike, or a new frame and fork to be built up, this opportunity presented itself.
This bike can only be described as a Good Deal. The price I paid for it, with a full carbon frame and Dura-Ace 7800, and some tubeless ready wheels, was less than almost every other option I was looking at.
While it's well used, and a bit of an unusual setup, the pocketbook ruled. With some modifications it'll work out nicely for the next season or two.
Well I've ordered my lovely wife a new ride.
I checked out a couple shops, on the sly, and no CX frames were to be found. And for those shops I didn't go to I checked them out online.
I still, for the love of Indurain, don't understand why bike shops need to have such terrible websites, but I digress.
We've ordered up a Neuvation cross bike, downgraded a smidge from the Rival build. Basically it fulfilled the price, and fit criteria, as well as being reasonably available.
I'd like to add that the bike is assembled to order. Being able to pick all the components after pondering the options is certainly useful. Not having to pay MSRP to do a replacement is also good on the pocketbook.
Yes I'd have preferred to shop at the LBS, but they don't make it easy for me. I don't have hours and hours to spend hunting for something specific in person.
I'm becoming increasingly frustrated in my own hunt, which I'll document a little later. Basically my experiences in buying a bike have been reinforced.
Since asking for opinions on cross bikes, I've received quite a few links and recommendations. Via email, facebook, twitter, and here in the comments section. I truly appreciate the insights and commentary.
Before I go on, I should say that I liked my previous frame, which was the 54cm version here. I was using a 6 deg 110mm stem, turned down for road riding, and up for cross. The seat-post was very extended, the stem not quite slammed. I felt ok on the hoods, but could have used handlebars with a bit less reach. All in all I'm looking for a 55-56 cm effective top tube and at least 145mm HT.
So below are virtually all the frames/bikes that have been recommended. There are loads of options, at least theoretically, and it's very difficult to sort out all the differences. I'll do my best here to give an outline of what I've found on the web so far and I'll continue to post as I narrow down my decision.
So what are my criteria? Here's how I am going to decide, in order of priority.
My next steps are to gather a bit more data on the bikes below, and, where appropriate, send out some emails to see what can be done regarding my criteria above. I'll be whittling down my options and then keeping my eyes open for opportunity.
Here's what I've got so far.
This looks like a very sexy ride. I first took notice when Vicky showed last years version off at CX nationals and promoted it on twitter. I also saw some some nice shots last year of Katie Compton's bike. I love women who ride CX.
The size 56 seems reasonable, although perhaps the headtube is a bit short. It also seems to be on the pricey side, although a few people have recommended I look at it. I'd love to build this one up.
I've been told it's expensive but they occasionally show up at good prices.
The Jamis reminds me a bit of the Stevens. The 56 size has a 560mm Top Tube and the proper headtube height so the fit seems like it's there. It's aluminum so the price might be a bit better.
I have no idea where I could get this bike in Toronto. The dealer search for Jamis is US only which is stupid. I will hunt around however and see what I can find. I really like the black and white paint and it's available as a frame/fork only.
This was recommended in the comments below by @KFsportsjoey so +1 for engagement. It's also built up with Rival albiet with a cross specific crank. I need to figure out if that's the same as a compact BCD.
As a complete build it seems no too overly priced so it's in the running from that perspective. The geometry seems fairly "Compact" so I'm not sure which size I'd fit on. The M or the M/L.
One of the Lapdogs had one of these last year. A fine looking machine and it's been recommended a couple of times. That or the CAAD X. Both come in Rival builds that looked to be specced appropriately. No idea on price here. But I don't think they'll fit in the budget.
The SuperX 54 looks like it might fit perfectly whereas the CAAD X looks somewhat more relaxed and maybe the 56 would be better there. It's hard to say.
The 56 X-Ride might be about right size wise. I'd consider the fancier X-Fire as well but the X-Ride is likely better priced. Very classic looking if you ask me. Again, no idea where to get this one at the moment.
The picture here is of the Redline Conquest Carbon. The headtube seems too short for the TT length. I'm not sure what is going on there. I need to do more research here but their website and dealer locater are crap.
This is the price winner for now. Something like $800 at random times online. That's less than most frames. Now, at the time I saw it, they didn't have my size so that was a non-starter. But this price would let me invest in some fancier wheels.
This is interesting. A great looking steel, or Ti bike. Even with regular wheels it'd look good. I wonder how much these go for. They advertise a good Rival build and even have the option of ordering custom geometry and paint. I'll definitely be looking into this closely.
It's got a shorter head tube but I really want to like this one.
Frame and Fork are available online. The size 56 might be a good option. You see a lot of these around so there's likely good value in them.
Steel is real apparently. I'd love to build this up with disk brakes. The Frame seems a bit heavy obviously, and the head tube is very short but it's decent value and would last forever. I tried to convince my wife this is what she wanted but she doesn't want steel.
Who doesn't like Celeste? This or the Zurigo would look great on the top of my car. Really great. Unfortunately I think the Cavaria would bankrupt me and the Zurigo would be pricey for what you get. The geometry seems a bit too aggressive for me so it's probably out of the running.
The steel Bianchi next to me right now is weeping, begging to be put back on the road.
So that's what's been running through my head these past few days. Next step is to fill in the damn insurance forms that have been sitting on my desk for 24 hours, after work of course.
If you've got comments or suggestions I'd love to hear 'em.
Recently, after a ride on one, I went ahead and purchased a Serfas Stinger RS from JensonUSA.com. I really like it so will post this quick review for those people, and there are some, who visit this site and look at my gear reviews.
Previously I was riding on a Sella Italia with no specific branding on it. I think it was a Sella Italia XO model. I had it on my road and cyclocross bike.
Not that it was a bad saddle. I really liked the two I had for the first couple years of riding. They had a bit of cushion on them, and with the shape and center cutout I had no issues... down there.
There was that, and it was affordable. I got my second Sella Italia for $15. A good deal for a saddle the fits.
Unfortunately, with the bumping and jostling of CX, the saddles both began to crack on the sides, up from the bottom, near the middle where the flex was the greatest.
Not wanting to break through the saddle mid-way through Paris to Ancaster, and having the seat grab my bits like a dog with a chew toy, I decided to check out some new saddles.
As well, over time, I began to get more and more soreness in my butt while riding, and tenderness in the tendons that join the upper hamstring.
I tried the Fizik, or should I say, Fi'zi:k, Arione and Antares. I wanted to like them, as they sponsor the club, but my perineum didn't like them, although they seemed like the right width. I don't appreciate penile numbness. Really.
After spending a few hours on those saddles, Tom loaned me a Stinger for a ride. It felt pretty good. Good enough that I ordered one.
For the sake of full disclosure, I must say that my sitbones are roughly 11-12 cm, or maybe 4.25 inches apart, center to center. At Jenson they say the width is 13 cm, and it weighs in a 190g. I'm pretty sure it's close to that, as I stuck it on the scale when it arrived just because, mainly, I opened the box in the kitchen.
It turns out that the cross sectional profile of this saddle is basically identical to the Sella Italia. Perhaps I'll take a comparison picture later. The real difference is that the Serfas has less padding, looks a bit nicer and is a bit narrower perhaps. Oh, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than most other saddles out there.
This isn't some kind of revolutionary, unobtainium, super-pro, piece of kit. Perhaps it's a knockoff, but to me it's good value and after having put 100+ hours on it I have no complaints.
For $80 MSRP it fits the budget.
Anyone who even remotely follows cycling knows what Jens Voigt says to his legs.
In tribute to Jens I recently crafted up this shirt and threw it up on Zazzle. I've even sold a couple! If I ever hit the limit to pay out I just might donate the money to a good cause, such as buying myself one of the shirts, or maybe some embrocation.
Click on the image, be inspired, buy a shirt.
Here's a photo of the New Briko Stingers! As far as I can tell this is a slowdad.com exclusive as I've not seen this picture elsewhere on the web!
The new Stingers look completely redesigned, and yet maintain the same full coverage of their predecessors. It looks like they'll come with a headband for skiing as well.
The new models feature a slightly different center section, and a varying rim surrounding the lens. It's beefier at the bottom reminiscent of Oakley Jawbones.
The nosepiece and the arms are also different. I hope they put some grippy bits on the arms.
Most significantly, the lens shape is now not completely egg shaped, having a more stylized appearance.
I'm not sure about the colour scheme above. Hopefully there's some exciting, highly contrasting colours to be had.
I wonder if those lenses are removable? Time will tell.
We'll have to see what these fit like, but I like what I see so far!
Update - I've received this additional information from Briko Canada.
"The new Stinger will be far more adjustable and customizable than the original. Like all Briko sport series glasses, they will have inter-changeable lenses (purchased with as many as 3), removable brow pad, and adjustable nose piece. The 'winter' version will come will larger lenses, a retention strap, and a removable lower rim. And the 'summer' version, with smaller lenses will be 'upgradable' to winter style with purchase of a kit. First production models are due out this November or December"
Compare with the originals below.
Here's an off angle picture of Bode Miller with a pair of new Stingers at the Vancouver Olympics
And another one
