All:

I'm looking for a race-ready CX bike that I could use as my winter commuter. Snow and rain are the norm here in the winter, so I would really like to find a bike that has fender mounts on the frame and the fork.

Any suggestions you have would be most appreciated. While I'd like the bike to be race ready, the reality is that I probably won't race the thing. I'd just like to think that I could if I wanted to (does that make me a poser?). Cost isn't a huge consideration, but I'd have trouble spending more than about $2.5k on this bike, and I'd prefer to avoid going custom. I don't have trouble getting bikes to fit.

For a little perspective, my road bike is a Gunnar. I love the bike, but I don't want another in the garage.

I understand that asking for a race-ready, fender-accommodating bike may be a bit like asking for a sweet lemon or a small blue whale. If that is the case, I'd like to know.

Thanks in advance.

kg1

Cost isn't a huge consideration, but I'd have trouble spending more than about $2.5k on this bike, and I'd prefer to avoid going custom. I don't have trouble getting bikes to fit.

Is there any reason besides wait time that you don't want to go custom? There are definitely builders that could put together exactly what you want, and easily come in under 2500 for a complete bike (assuming you don't want full DA ...).

Check out the richie breakaway cyclocross frame and fork. It's a gteat frame with an anazing fork, and it has all the mounts for fenders and racks. I think bikeman crries them.

www.bikeman.com

Rich

Wow! How do you like that spelling?

Rich

Two things.

First, the reality is that most bike makers are still keeping a toe in the commuter waters with their CX offerings. There are the true thouroughbred race-specific machines, but below that in most catalogs are respectable bikes with fender mounts.

Second, any CX frame can be made race ready (and worthy).

How about the Jamis Nova (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/nova.html)? I have been using a 200? model and its been great for commuting, CX and everything in between. Its very comfortable, responsive and comes with eyelets. I encourage you to check it out.

Soma and Surly offer nice affordable steel CX frames with rack eyelets.

My tri-cross comp is my race bike and commuter machine. Has rack and fender mounts but is also a nimble light-weight race rig. (My version is 105 9spd. w/ ultegra rear, roval wheels and spec. cockpit weighs in at 20.8 w/ Mich. sprints.)

a few seasons ago I had SKS P43 full fenders mounted for post cx season winter road use.

My tri-cross comp is my race bike and commuter machine. Has rack and fender mounts but is also a nimble light-weight race rig. (My version is 105 9spd. w/ ultegra rear, roval wheels and spec. cockpit weighs in at 20.8 w/ Mich. sprints.)

How did you get your Comp so light. My 2007 (56cm) Comp, ready to roll with PD-M424 pedals weighed more than 23 pounds. I've since made many upgrades, including going to R700 compact cranks with lighter chainrings and bolts, Pauls brakes, lighter seat, seatpost, and stem, and the bike is still more than 21 pounds with Specialized Houffalize tires.

My Redline Conquest Pro has fender eyelets, no rack mounts, commutes well and has definitely cost me less than $2500, even after all the different setups I've run on it. Of course, clip-on fenders or a set of P-clamps would have you set with just about any frame with fender clearance (and you can get p-clamps at any hardware store). Some racks out there (Tubus, for instance) have fender mounts integrated into the rack body as well.

Why you wouldn't want to do custom, I don't know but if you want a mass produced cross bike with fender eyelets then Cannondale's Optimo is race ready and can be upgraded until your hearts content and still be under $2.5k. I'm not sure if the Si Optimo cross bike has eyelets, I'm guessing not with the EC90X fork on but it is sweet and is right around that price. You could always ride race blade fenders. Works for me during my comutes in crappy weather.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/CE/large/7XR1_red.jpg

Bianchi Axis has fender mounts on the carbon fork. I believe it makes a passable race bike and excellent all around commuter style @ a very affordable price.

The 2007 Trek XO2 has fender mounts on the fork and near the rear dropouts. There is not chainstay bridge however.

Look into Gunnar. Some very nice bikes. Last I saw, they had what you are after.

You can put FULL fenders on ANY cx bike, mainly because they are designed w/ enough frame clearance for larger 35c knobbies, and your winter trainer tires are likely 25-28c!..

If a particular bike doesn't have fender braze ons, you can utilize zip ties really effectively, as well as some clamp on fender eyelets, which are very similar to the little mounts used to attach reflectors to bike frames, ie. seat stays or forks.

http://brandtastic.smugmug.com/photos/51299095-M.jpg

http://brandtastic.smugmug.com/photos/51299092-M.jpg

I've got mine now set up with fenders and it has rack mounts.

Easton EC-90X fork DOES have eyelets (that's why i got one for my Moots). Bikes that come specced with it -- Jamis Supernova, Cannondale XR-4, and i think the new Yeti cyclo-x frame. I think there's a Raleigh, too.

The Jamis Supernova DEFINITELY has rear eyelets, and is a full race ready bike. '08 model is under $2K, specced with SRAM Rival.