cross for commuters?

I'm looking at getting a new ride to get to work, I just got a new job and it is going to be about 22km each way- so a good ride everyday.

I read the getting started thread on this board and been perusing the internet. Would a cyclecross bike be a good choice for commuting? I have always ridden an older Apollo race frame but I am tired of downtube shifters and wouldn't mind something from the past decade!

I like the idea of having some tires for road riding and another set for cruising through stanley park. Not to mention cyclocross racing looks like a good time I could see myself getting into.

I guess my main questions are:

Is the geometry good for city riding? Is it very maneuverable but still conducive to longer rides?

Are disc brakes worth avoiding? I've seen a few with discs and it makes sense for winter riding, but I have heard they are banned in racing (keep in mind, if I actually do race I'm looking at the beginner/fun races). Do they add that much more rotational weight?

Is it realistic for me to find a decent used bike for $400-700? If I can convince the wife, I could probably go closer to a G, in that case I may start looking at new bikes.

Where is a good shop in Vancouver or the GVRD to find cyclocross bikes? I checked out WestPoint Cycle, they had some good looking Rocky Mountains but not much else in this category.

Congrats on the new job!

Can't contribute on the xc bike question, but I have been considering "trading up" my roadie-commuter for an xc, so this is a good thread.

waits for replies

Yes.

I use my road bike in the summer cause it feels way more fast and nimble. In shoulder seasons when the puddles and grit is high I've got a cross bike. It's nice having slightly knobby tires and being able to hit some gravel or non-paved options during that time. (winter season i drive - it's dark rainy and shitty :P )

I bought it in the first few months of the year from Different and found they had excellent deals on previous year models that dealers were looking to clear out. Finding a used one was brutal since they seem to have taken a major spike in popularity in the last few years, and at 700 bucks it was only a few more hundred to get a new one…

I've never had a problem stopping my bike with the cantis, discs is an expensive option that just didn't seem worth it for an 'off season' bike.

So it is pretty reasonable to expect a cross bike to be a jack-of-all-trades bike? At least for a year or so until I can afford another good bike, like a race specific frame.

I like the idea of running a couple sets of wheels/rubber like I used to do with my mountain bike.

A Cross bike is good option.

If you are chasing UCI points disc's are verboten according to UCI luddites. A properly set up set of canties will work well. Something like this,

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34582

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34583

Sold a guy on these last year and after trying this style loved them. Lots of power.

Go see the guy's at Mighty Riders to see what you want. Or if you want used check Craigslist, Kiiji…
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/search/bik?query=cyclocross[HTML_REMOVED]catAbbreviation=bik

Also check the usual consignment places.

So it is pretty reasonable to expect a cross bike to be a jack-of-all-trades bike? At least for a year or so until I can afford another good bike, like a race specific frame.

I like the idea of running a couple sets of wheels/rubber like I used to do with my mountain bike.

I know a couple of guy's who take pride in racing well on Cross bikes in Road races.

A Cross bike is good option.

If you are chasing UCI points disc's are verboten according to UCI luddites. A properly set up set of canties will work well. Something like this,

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34582

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34583

Sold a guy on these last year and after trying this style loved them. Lots of power.

Go see the guy's at Mighty Riders to see what you want. Or if you want used check Craigslist, Kiiji…
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/search/bik?query=cyclocross[HTML_REMOVED]catAbbreviation=bik

Also check the usual consignment places.

I definitely don't feel like I need discs, just seemed like an interesting option I have seen available.

I find most postings on craigslist to be of the fixie/single speed/steel frame from the 70s that is over-priced variety.

Thanks!

I definitely don't feel like I need discs, just seemed like an interesting option I have seen available.

I find most postings on craigslist to be of the fixie/single speed/steel frame from the 70s that is over-priced variety.

Thanks!

The disc's sound nice but there are issues.

The disc's sound nice but there are issues.

Yah like not having your rims worn out in a year!

Riding through water and mud and still being able to stop after!

Brake pads that last longer than a couple of races!

Disc brakes for the win.

Only pro's can't race with them!

You have to be patient with Craigslist. I trolled it diligently for two months before the right deal came along. Then you've got to be prepared to act immediately or you might miss out.
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run a 29er with cross tires

Yah like not having your rims worn out in a year!

Riding through water and mud and still being able to stop after!

Brake pads that last longer than a couple of races!

Disc brakes for the win.

Only pro's can't race with them!

I think set up is the issue, the two I tried where supposedly set up correctly.

Oh, and cross is now to popular. Monstercross is now the new Cyclocross black.

MEC seems to be into Cross bikes.
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442630195[HTML_REMOVED]FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886469[HTML_REMOVED]bmUID=1269401741420

I was looking at the mec ones today. They look alright but Im honestly a little unsure of a bike that comes from them. I guess realistically the frame is probably built where most Giant's are built, but I can't seem to get over the MEC lablel!
I also wonder about the service that would be provided in comparison to a bike shop.