Road bike or cross bike?

[PutAwayWet]

I need some advice. I was all set to buy a road bike, to use for commuting and general road riding when the trails are in crappy shape. I will, in all likelihood, never race on the road. I do have a lot of friends who are very handy and speedy on the road bikes, though.

So like I said, I was all set to buy a road bike (Lemond Croix de Fer). Then a guy I know told me he wants to sell his Kona Jake the Snake cross bike. It's got pretty much the same component level the Lemond would have, and looks to be in good shape. He's looking to sell it for $400 less than the Lemond would be new.

I've got friends who ride cross bikes as their road bike, and friends who say cross bikes are not meant to be used as road bikes... But I'm just a trail rider and know nothing about road biking. Any opinions, advice, etc?

[ArmOnFire]

There are some class 6 roads that would be great for the cross bike. Think Brentwood/Fremont.
A 29er or a cross bike are next on my list.

-dan

[MTBME]

If your not a hard core road rider and don't see yourself spending a lot of times on the drops in a paceline, then the cross bike might be a good option. You could get a lot of use in the spring when the trails are too wet and there is still a lot of sand on the road. The cross bike might feel more at home under those conditions. Maybe he'll let you take it out for a spin.

[Dave]

Another good thing about a cross bike is the ability to use slightly fatter tires. Most road tires are 700x23, but I think a cross tire is like a 700x28 or 32, which may not sound like much of a difference, but they are thicker and more reliable for commuting, so you have less of a chance to flat, this is important if your time schedule is somewhat tight or if your boss at work is a clock watcher, because a flat in the morning would most certainly mean being late, I know for me, I'd miss the train if I flatted in the morn, I've been lucky so far. These tires are not fat like MTB tires, so they still roll pretty fast on the road, especially since you're still running pretty high PSI in them. My only other comment is that if you carry a heavy bag, the cross frame is better suited to the abuse of commuting.

[jaime]

'Cross bikes generally will have a higher bottom bracket than a road bike, which in turn means the handling is a little more clunky. That being said, as was noted in an earlier post, you'd only notice the difference if you were spending a lot of time hammering out. Otherwise its 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.

For commuting and occasional weekend group rides I think a 'cross bike would be perfectly acceptable. Along with the wider tires a 'cross frame will accept full fenders more readily, which is an absolute must for commuting.

Enjoy it,
jaime

[biffster]

Get the cross bike. Great for commuting and those sandy spring road rides. I run 25c's and full fenders in the spring. Keeps the feet dry and the dreaded "black stripe" off your backside.

Cross races are a blast too.