Best first bike - Cube Cross Race 2017 or Cannondale CAADX 2

[Editor1974]

Hello,

Apologies if this is a common thread - or posted in wrong forum - but I'm new to cycling and dipping my toe with a Cycle2Work funded bike - maximum cost £1000. From friends' advice a cyclo-cross bike seems ideal; can comfortably commute, go on unpaved roads, keep pace on longer rides and possibly build to a road sportive in the future. Don't really fancy a Boardman CX Team which the local Halfords is selling but a local independent shop has a Cube Cross Race 2017 for £999. Other option so far is The Cannondale CAADX 2017 at £950. Two mates have Cannondales and love them. But the Cube comes with 105 Shimano rather than the CAADX which has Tiagra. Any suggestions which is best or even if I'm missing a better option?

Cheers

 

[King Boonen]

Where in Scotland are you? If you are doing the C2W scheme then are you limited to certain shops? do you need room in the budget to cover accessories, helmet, shoes, clothes etc?

 

[Editor1974]

Re:

Where in Scotland are you? If you are doing the C2W scheme then are you limited to certain shops? do you need room in the budget to cover accessories, helmet, shoes, clothes etc?

Hi - I'm based in Fife (working in Edinburgh). Limited to Halfords and LBS that take their C2W vouchers. Halfords C2W will source most bikes online but only RRP, so won't be able to get a 2016 discounted bike. Happy to spend the full £1000 voucher on the bike and self-fund accessories (I already have SPD shoes, helmet and gloves for my MTB). I want something that isn't too road race focussed but still quick and comfortable to ride. The Bike Shop in Dunfermline sells Cube. Looked a good bike with nice 105 Shimano Groupset and decent disc breaks. The Cannondale CAADX, which two of my mates have and love, comes with Tiagra at that price point. Decisions, decisions.

What do you think?

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

Where in Scotland are you? If you are doing the C2W scheme then are you limited to certain shops? do you need room in the budget to cover accessories, helmet, shoes, clothes etc?

Hi - I'm based in Fife (working in Edinburgh). Limited to Halfords and LBS that take their C2W vouchers. Halfords C2W will source most bikes online but only RRP, so won't be able to get a 2016 discounted bike. Happy to spend the full £1000 voucher on the bike and self-fund accessories (I already have SPD shoes, helmet and gloves for my MTB). I want something that isn't too road race focussed but still quick and comfortable to ride. The Bike Shop in Dunfermline sells Cube. Looked a good bike with nice 105 Shimano Groupset and decent disc breaks. The Cannondale CAADX, which two of my mates have and love, comes with Tiagra at that price point. Decisions, decisions.

What do you think?

Sorry, late reply.

Cube make good bikes that come well spec'd so I would certainly go look at them. The CAADX has down spec'd brakes and cranks, QR wheels, plus I think the front brake is a post-mount. The cube has full flat mount brakes which seems to be the new road standard going forward, a full Shimano drive-chain and through axles. In terms of spec it's a better bike and if you intend to do some off-roading/gravel riding (which you really should in Scotland!) then I think it would be the better choice. You would also be supporting your LBS which is a massive plus.

Either bike will be very good though and I'm sure you'd be happy with them. Tiagra is now aero routed and works pretty much as well as 105 so I wouldn't worry on that account. If it were me I'd ride both and pick the one which feels right. Purely based on the spec, I'd lean towards the Cube.

 

[Editor1974]

Re: Re:

Where in Scotland are you? If you are doing the C2W scheme then are you limited to certain shops? do you need room in the budget to cover accessories, helmet, shoes, clothes etc?

Hi - I'm based in Fife (working in Edinburgh). Limited to Halfords and LBS that take their C2W vouchers. Halfords C2W will source most bikes online but only RRP, so won't be able to get a 2016 discounted bike. Happy to spend the full £1000 voucher on the bike and self-fund accessories (I already have SPD shoes, helmet and gloves for my MTB). I want something that isn't too road race focussed but still quick and comfortable to ride. The Bike Shop in Dunfermline sells Cube. Looked a good bike with nice 105 Shimano Groupset and decent disc breaks. The Cannondale CAADX, which two of my mates have and love, comes with Tiagra at that price point. Decisions, decisions.

What do you think?

Sorry, late reply.

Cube make good bikes that come well spec'd so I would certainly go look at them. The CAADX has down spec'd brakes and cranks, QR wheels, plus I think the front brake is a post-mount. The cube has full flat mount brakes which seems to be the new road standard going forward, a full Shimano drive-chain and through axles. In terms of spec it's a better bike and if you intend to do some off-roading/gravel riding (which you really should in Scotland!) then I think it would be the better choice. You would also be supporting your LBS which is a massive plus.

Either bike will be very good though and I'm sure you'd be happy with them. Tiagra is now aero routed and works pretty much as well as 105 so I wouldn't worry on that account. If it were me I'd ride both and pick the one which feels right. Purely based on the spec, I'd lean towards the Cube.

Hi - no problem.

This is great advice. Thanks. Very much leaning towards the Cube although another LBS in Dunfermline sources Orro bikes and can source an Orro Terra Road for £999. Comes with 105 Shimano, T3 seat post, stem and handlebars plus Fulcrum wheels. Seems to be a new bike producer but the one review I've seen says it's a good frame with some very decent spec for the price. Will be doing a bit of trails but nothing too extreme. Likely will go with one of these two depending on availability in November.

Thanks again.

 

[King Boonen]

I've seen Orro advertised in Cyclist recently. I have no experience with them so can't really comment much except to say that the spec is probably better than the other two bikes. You get a different spread of gears with a road compact (50-34) chainset and 11-28 cassette rather than CX specific (46-36) and 11-32 cassette. It comes with 28c tyres and this is where it will depend on what you want the bike to do as it doesn't look like you'll get much bigger through that fork. 28c is plenty for some gravel/cobble/canal/forest road riding and even a bit of trail riding but if you were wanting to do more off-road focussed riding you might be better off with the Cube.

A proper 105 crankset is a big plus, especially as it's the 4 armed, new model so you can put double (53-39) mid-compact (52-36) and compact (50-34) rings on there. You might even be able to get a 46 for it but I'm not sure about that. I run 53/39 with an 11-25 cassette (10 speed) on the West Coast and it'll get me up anything but can be a bit of a grind at times.

Of the three you've listed I would be very tempted by the Orro and I'd probably only be put off if I wanted to do some proper off-roading (Glentress red/black trails, Corrieyarick Pass, West Highland Way etc.).

The only bike I'll add in is the Genesis Croix De Fer. I've not ridden over your way much but if the roads are like they are this side of the country then a more forgiving, steel frame would be appealing to me. I practice what I preach in that regard. My daily commuter/club ride bike is a steel fixed wheel, my good road bike is an 853 steel road bike and my off-road bike is a monstercross build with a steel hardtail frame.

 

[Editor1974]

Re:

I've seen Orro advertised in Cyclist recently. I have no experience with them so can't really comment much except to say that the spec is probably better than the other two bikes. You get a different spread of gears with a road compact (50-34) chainset and 11-28 cassette rather than CX specific (46-36) and 11-32 cassette. It comes with 28c tyres and this is where it will depend on what you want the bike to do as it doesn't look like you'll get much bigger through that fork. 28c is plenty for some gravel/cobble/canal/forest road riding and even a bit of trail riding but if you were wanting to do more off-road focussed riding you might be better off with the Cube.

A proper 105 crankset is a big plus, especially as it's the 4 armed, new model so you can put double (53-39) mid-compact (52-36) and compact (50-34) rings on there. You might even be able to get a 46 for it but I'm not sure about that. I run 53/39 with an 11-25 cassette (10 speed) on the West Coast and it'll get me up anything but can be a bit of a grind at times.

Of the three you've listed I would be very tempted by the Orro and I'd probably only be put off if I wanted to do some proper off-roading (Glentress red/black trails, Corrieyarick Pass, West Highland Way etc.).

The only bike I'll add in is the Genesis Croix De Fer. I've not ridden over your way much but if the roads are like they are this side of the country then a more forgiving, steel frame would be appealing to me. I practice what I preach in that regard. My daily commuter/club ride bike is a steel fixed wheel, my good road bike is an 853 steel road bike and my off-road bike is a monstercross build with a steel hardtail frame.

Brilliant advice, thanks. The Orro after what you've said is probably the one I will go for. Hadn't considered the Genesis so may investigate further. Roads in Fife are pretty mixed in terms of surface so steel frame might be a good choice. Thanks again for taking the time to reply with your views. Once I get the bike and have covered a few miles I will look to post an update. Thanks again.

 

[King Boonen]

No worries. You'll find the spec of the Croix is lower than that of the bikes you're looking at if you purely consider the build kit, it's the frame that makes the difference. Sora works absolutely fine, many favour it on their winter bike but it does put some people off. It's also pretty heavy, so if you're looking to ride as fast as you can it's not the bike for you. However, it has a very comfortable ride, will handle dirt tracks and woodland paths very well, take larger tyres than the Orro and has mounting points for racks and mudguards which can be very useful depending on what kind of riding you want to do.

I think if weight is an issue (and the difference is big, about 2.5kg between the Orro and the Genesis), you'll be sticking to mainly to roads and only really plan on riding for a day in one go then the Orro is the winner. If weight is less of an issue, you plan to do a bit more off-road stuff and you want to maybe do some multi-day touring, the Genesis starts to look good. Although, you could always use frame bags on the Orro...

 

[Editor1974]

Cheers. Lots to consider!

 

[iamparker]

Re: Best first bike - Cube Cross Race 2017 or Cannondale CAA

As a very recent user of 'Orro' advertised in cyclist, I love to say that 'King Boonen' said perfect about the bike. You can obviously consider it.

 

[Editor1974]

Thanks. I have put an order in for the Orro Terra Gravel (in green). Local bike shop says it will be in stock before end of November.