jeffs223

I'm posting this here because I want some roadie advice. I was all set on buying a moutain bike in a couple weeks but then I started talking to some people about cyclocross. If I got a cyclocross bike I wouldn't have suspension but then again I'm not really sure how hardcore im gonna go with obstacles. I realize you have to deal with skinnier tires so it won't fair as well in the sand and mud. And if I got a cyclocross bike would I take it to trails and be disspointed (like my ass hurting disappointed) Also Keep in mind I live in New Jersey we have nice trails but nothgin extreme.

Anyway I'm sure there is lots of opinions on this. The more I watch on youtube the more cyclocross looks appealing. I guess it's like I have my sports car, now do I want a rally car (cyclocross) or a off road car (mountain bike).

djlarroc

Cross bike.

I had one before I went to my road bike. Great bikes.

Btw, if I could only have 1 MTB, it would be a hard tail.

svtmike

I have a cheapie Fantom Cross for winter riding with studded tires. I've found it much better on roads than the local trails -- but it's going to depend on expected trail conditions. If you're going to be traversing shallow, fresh snow on a lightly used trail it should be OK. If your trails are going to be like mine -- snow covering rutted icepack from heavy winter use by runners and XC skiers -- I'd suggest at least a hardtail MTB.

I did one ride on the trail with it and came home with aching arms and shoulders from the constant balance adjustments I had to make as the front wheel was slipping all over the place following the ruts. Not a fun ride.

jeffs223

Yeah I was set on a hardtail. Ideally I would eventually just get both, cyclocross competitions looks like a kickass time.

crhilton

For road biking in winter, cross bike.

For single track, I'm gonna say mountain bike.

You can do cross on a mountain bike. It's a disadvantage on most courses, but I'm been beat by plenty of people on mountain bikes. At some high level you stop seeing mountain bikes, but your local usa cycling races will have lots of mountain bikes.

RacerOne

I just got a cross bike, and did my first race. What a kick in the butt. Get the cross.

SalsaPodio

The obvious answer is both. When it's nice outside I ride my cross bike, when the snow gets super deep or its really icy I ride the mountain bike. (Both bikes in sig)

AEO

MTB.

I'd get a hard tail XC bike equipped with shimano and discs, then customize it.

cheaper way is just using some dirt drops and DA barcons and some linear pull drop levers.
expensive way is using some wide road drop bars, shimano STI levers, road double FD and some travel agents or avid road BB7 brakes. actually, if the frame allows for it, a road triple crankset with road triple FD.

Why? because you can run some really fat tires with a 26'er MTB frame compared to a CX bike.
and the wheel diameter doesn't change much with fat 26" tires and 700x23.

jeffs223

good stuff thanks guys! knowing me i will end up buying both but one needs to come first.

pelikan

Lots of trails you do on a CX a bike you can do on your road bike as well. If you want to race CX that's a different story, but I'd vote a MTB which can take you places your road bike can't even dream about. A CX bikes seems like a good middle ground, but there is quite a bit of functional overlap between a road bike & cx bike....not so much MTB & cx bike.

urbanknight

Cross bikes can do a lot. In fact, I see one on many of the mountain bike rides I do. The two limitations of a cross bike are:
1) Gearing not low enough for really steep grades
2) Limited traction and durability on very technical and rough trails. We're talking bowling ball size rocks and tree roots here.

That being said, I still prefer to have a mountain bike so I can do it all. The cross bike is really only needed (in my opinion) for cross racing, although I'd eventually like to get one as a commuter/rain bike.

AEO

If you want a fast MTB, get a hard tail, front suspension XC MTB.
If you want a general purpose MTB, get an All mountain MTB.

XC is closer to a CX bike, but can run some really fat tires.
All Mountain is pretty much a jack of all trades and a master of none. The only thing it can't do is extreme DH.

kudude

If you're ever going to go mountain biking with friends, buy a mountain bike.

Riding the CX bike makes you the newbie snowboarder in the group of experienced skiers. Don't be that guy.

If you want to race CX, or ride on fire trails from A to B, go ahead and get the CX bike.

jeffs223

Well just bought a 2010 Cannondale Flash 29'er 2 for 1600 at the LBS seems like a good deal. I rode a few bikes and this one stood out for me.