Best cyclocross bike?

Question

What's the best cyclocross bike for under $600? I know that's cheap but I am just curious for opinions. I want to be able to ride trails and on bikes with it so I have sort of set my heart on a cyclocross if you will. Links would be appreciated if possible!

Answer 1

Were you wanting things like wheels, gears, brakes and shifters on your bike?  $600 is a mightly low ceiling.  I don't know of any new cyclocross bikes under that amount.

At that dollar range, I'd suggest you look for a used bike.  With cyclocross season approaching, this unfortunately is the time of year lots of folks go looking for a bike.  Used bikes tend to be cheapest at the end of cyclocross season.  

Cyclocross bikes are subject to lots of mud during their racing careers.  Thus, you need to be carefully check any used cyclocross bike.  It isn't a bargain if the drivetrain is shot and you've got to replace the cassette, chain and chainrings before you can get decent shifting performance.

Generally, Surly, Fuji, Redline make tough, reasonably priced bikes.

Here is the Surly: http://harriscyclery.net/page.cfm?PageID...

Here is the Redline bike:

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbike...

In particular, the Redline Conquest Sport is closest to your dollar range.

Here is the Fuji Bike: http://www.fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?...

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Depends on whether you want to race or not. $600 is pretty low for a new, fully built bike and I can't think of any cross-specific bikes that will meet that. You might look at Ibex but they won't make your price. After that I'd try Redline. If you really want 'best' like you asked, look at Ridley, Colnago, and Empella.

http://www.ibexbikes.com/

http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbike...

Answer 3

You might be more interested in a 'hybrid', maybe with a set of drop bars. A cyclocross bike is set up for competition, and unless you're a rather hardcore racer, you won't find it very comfortable. Real cyclocrossers rarely ever ride their 'cross bikes for more than a couple hours, and then they don't ride them for pleasure, it's training for competition. They use regular road bikes for endurance training.  With a hybrid you can run a high pressure cyclocross tire, so you'll get the benefits of the lower rolling resistance and still be able to ride with confidence off road.

Check with your local bike shop, and tell them what type of riding you're going to be doing and your price range. I may be going out on a limb, but I'm guessing a cyclocross bike isn't appropriate for your use.