Cyclocross bikes - where to buy one in Sydney?

sperryrand

Hey,

Been reading lots about these wonderful Cyclocross bikes...
but where can I actually find one in Sydney??
Been to quite a few stores now and no one seems to stock any. Can anyone suggest any dealers who currently stock any of the following?

Lemond Poprad Disc
Trek X01
Kona Jake
Specialised tricross
Cannondale cyclocross

or do you all buy over the internet??
Thanks,
sperry rand

warday

Hi

I wish you luck!! I have just been through the exercise. Trek, Giant, Felt don't bring them in now, or have never brought in their Cross bikes. I don't believe Lemond bring in the Poprad either. I was kicking myself as a month early I was in the US on business, travelling light, and could have easily carried one home.

From my research your options are Specialized, Kona and Merida. In my opinion the Merida Team was the best value for money at around $2100 with a mix of parts including Ultegra (List $2400). Kona and Specialized did have cheaper options around $1700 using a mixture of parts - Tiagra level. My favourite was the Speicalized Comp with 105 parts - really nice frame and I found a review on the Net. But with a list of $2990 it was not great value for money!! My LBS was willing to go down to around $2650. I am in the country so I did all my research on websites - have never actually seen any of these in the flesh.

I did consider buying one off the net - or buying a kit and building one. Found a really nice Ridley frame in UK and the online store even rang me at home to assist in sizing - excellent customer service!! There are plenty of kits available but it is a matter of whether freight makes it worthwhile.

In the end I just got lucky. Bikebugs in North Sydney had a Ultegra Colnago Cyclocross bike hanging up. I just wanted to see what a Cross bike looked like and they made me an offer I couldn't refuse!!! I think this was bought in as a special to test the market and just sat in the shop. It is a better bike than I am a bike rider!!!! There is a photo on one of my earlier posts.

It is shorter and lighter than my Avanti road bike with a taller bottom bracket. Took a while to get the seating position right - I didn't have my shoes to get in done in the shop. The Cross tyres give a soft ride but take a bit of pushing along on the open road - I will change them over to slicks once they wear out. All in all much (much) nicer to ride than my old MTB commuter!! I do use it on weekends, but still prefer the road bike - may change once I fit the slicks.

I wish you luck. Just chase up the stores which carry the brands I mentioned. Let me know if you need any other suggestions.

Regards
WD

PS. I did forget Surly have the Cross Check. If you like rugged steal frame and bar end shifters, good value - there was a review in Australia Cycling last year.

sperryrand

Hi WD,

Thanks for the info.
To be honest, it need not be a cyclocross bike that I get, but I'm very curious to have a go on one. In truth, i'm rarely off-road. It would be used more as a 'randonneur'. I'm after something

- fast & light. suitable for recreational/fitness road riding.
- must have drop bars.
- comfortable. ie. not too aggressive, as will also serve as a commuter.
- robust. my commuting route is pretty rough... potholes, gutters etc.
- support a back rack.
- must be available somewhere in Sydney!

Sperryrand

warday

Hi Sperry Rand

I went into the cross bike with exactly the same ideas. I didn't want a hybrid, wanted drop bars and something faster than a MTB.

It is perfect for what you want. Mine is used as a fast commuter - much easy to dive off on to the grass if you need to. As I live in the country I am planning to hit some back roads (I said roads) - sealed and unsealed - Something I would not do on my road bike. As you can see my bike doesn't look too rugged - the canti breaks and top tube cabels are the most obvious difference... and the 32mm nobby tyres.

Hope this helps
WD

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StankApe

I got my 07 Jake the snake from city bike depot. Unfort, it turned into almost 18 months of fit, build and brake issues, so I recently sold it on the bay and got something more suitable for me. IIRC, ashfield cycles had a JTS on the floor while I was shopping around recently, and I'd give cbd a call as well.

StankApe

Oh, and cheeky monkey could no doubt build a great crosscheck