Good budget CX frames to look out for?

[veloduffer]

Look at the aluminum Focus AX or Fuji Altamira CX. You might also find good deals on Blue and Van Dessel cross frames.

Also Cannondale CAADX (aluminum).

I did not like the Specialized TriCross when I owned it, and I don't know if the Crux is better.

[kevinvc]

If you're looking for steel, it's hard to do better than a Poprad, but they are in high demand and I don't see them on market all that often. When they do appear they are usually priced relatively high because of their popularity.

The Surly Cross-Check is an excellent do anything type of bike and there are enough of them out there that you could potentially find one if you are patient. Also, they are pretty low priced for their value if you want to buy new. Similarly, the Soma Double Cross is, IMO, as good as anything at twice the price. You're unlikely to find one used, but their new price is in your range.

A lot depends on how long you're willing to wait and how unique a frame you want. Surlys are good bikes, but there are a lot of them out there and they don't really stand out from the crowd if that's important to you.

[rkhatibi]

Originally Posted by stefus_prime

Hahha, looks like we may be competing, that is my size (55-58cm).

I'm not looking *that* hard, but if a disc frame in those sizes came up for a sale I'd probably go for it. I do want to see how modern steel feels as my last steel bike was from '89. Also disc appears to have matured somewhat and with the move to 11sp required new wheels in most cases I've considered just going all in on disc.

That said I really really like my Trek Crockett with v-brakes for the riding I actually do and would not be surprised to find that I prefer it in the end. It's a nice mix of race performance without giving up fender and bottle mounts.

Good luck with your search and definitely post back with what you end up.

[scho74]

The Black Mountain Cycles cross is a good fit as well as the VO Pass Hunter.

http://www.blackmtncycles.com/p/blac...es-frames.html


http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-frameset.html


I'd pick the VO Pass Hunter because of the vertical drop outs.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by stefus_prime

I just checked on the site, they only steel bike I see from them is the 520 but it looks to be a touring bike. Let me know if you end up remembering, I would be interested.

I paid $375 for an absolutely pristine 2010 frame set. I also paid $750 shipped for a NIB Raleigh Hodala. You just have to get in touch with your inner scrounge.

[rburnham13]

I would lean towards a Redline Conquest for aluminum. Or Soma, or All City for cheap steel. The Redline is a well built bike that handles amazing. Built for cross. The Soma Double Cross I owned, I would not have wanted to race it, but it rode nice and smooth. Just slow turning. The All Citys have a pretty racey geometry. The Trek Crockett handles really well also, if you can find a frame.

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by scho74

The Black Mountain Cycles cross is a good fit as well as the VO Pass Hunter.

http://www.blackmtncycles.com/p/blac...es-frames.html


http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-frameset.html


I'd pick the VO Pass Hunter because of the vertical drop outs.

Isn't thr Pass Hunter more of a Tourer than a CX bike? I ask because I've considered it. The Black Mountain looks really nice, do you know if they come up on the second hand market alot?

[Fatty]

Boom !

http://providence.craigslist.org/bik/4929843014.html

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by Fatty

Boom !

http://providence.craigslist.org/bik/4929843014.html

I've actually been eyeing that one but the 54cm would be too small for me, minimum would be a 55.

[josephr]

in same situation here -- I keep looking but have eventually reached analysis paralysis in term of value options. I keep coming back to the CAADX 105 with an immediate upgrade to the wheelset but then think by the time I've spent the $, I could've found a 1used frame and built it up like I'd like. Good luck with your search!

[vav]

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=166826

Or local: not mine, no relation, etcetc
If you can live with that dent...

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/4960452089.html

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by vav

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=166826

Or local: not mine, no relation, etcetc
If you can live with that dent...

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/4960452089.html

I was debating this one a week ago or so. This bike is going to be replacing an old steel bike I sold, I'd feel kind of weird selling a mint bike to buy a dented bike. It's a pretty good price for somebody who isn't bugged by it though...I'm just more of a stickler when it comes to this sort of stuff I guess.

[rhump]

PM sent on 59cm Black Mountain frame set I'm looking to part with

[stefus_prime]

Originally Posted by rhump

PM sent on 59cm Black Mountain frame set I'm looking to part with

If only I had a slightly longer body :<

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by veloduffer

Look at the aluminum Focus AX or Fuji Altamira CX. You might also find good deals on Blue and Van Dessel cross frames.

Also Cannondale CAADX (aluminum).

I did not like the Specialized TriCross when I owned it, and I don't know if the Crux is better.

I have an Altamira CX 1.0. Very nice framesets that go for reasonable prices 'cause well... it says 'Fuji' on it.

Working for PBS I get to see lots of Fujis. They're a very underrated bike.

...having said that... Today's my last day there. Going back to an LBS for at least a bit.

If you want a Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie aka November Hot Buns, get an FM023 from one of the chinese manufacturers. Same same, just no markup.

The FN Bicycles 'Cross' model is another chinese frame. Rides nice. Its a race bike. If something happens to it, I'm not out BIG $, I'm out little $.

M