Im new to cyclocross and am looking for a frameset around $1100-1200. here is what I have so far:

Ridley crosswind
pinarello alu cross
merckx alu cross

Are these worth the extra money?
BMC cyclocross
Colnago scandium cross
rock lobster

anything else i should consider? any recomendations out of these frames?

Thanks,

My advice is to focus your choices---

Is this a race bike, a commuter or both?

do you want steel, alu, or a hybrid with carbon stays?

Custom or off the shelf?

Then look at what manufacturers have a frame that meets those above requirements and stay within budget.

There are a ton of bikes out there under $1200, listing them all would be a waste.

My advice is to focus your choices---

Is this a race bike, a commuter or both?

do you want steel, alu, or a hybrid with carbon stays?

Custom or off the shelf?

Then look at what manufacturers have a frame that meets those above requirements and stay within budget.

There are a ton of bikes out there under $1200, listing them all would be a waste.

ohyeah... sorry forgot my details:
its for racing
i would like alu
whether its custom or off the shelf i dont really mind


i think its between the ridley and rock lobster...

Rock lobster would eb custom, that's good
Ridleys are nice but tall and shortish TTs
Merckx's are nice, a bit heavy but overly built
Pinarello's I don't have an opinion, no experience
Colnago will probably be out of your price range
BMC's I just saw at Interbike and were very lust worthy

consider the Specialized Sworks as well

$1100 for an alu cyclocross frameset is a lot of coin. For that price, I'd just get the Redline complete bike.

$1100 for an alu cyclocross frameset is a lot of coin. For that price, I'd just get the Redline complete bike.

Yeah.. i was thinking about a redline complete bike but they dont come in campy...

Yeah.. i was thinking about a redline complete bike but they dont come in campy...

I'd take the frame made in CA by Paul Sadoff over the frame welded in Taiwan with the Ridley stickers on it. You mentioned aluminum in your original post, but give steel a second thought. It's about as light as a top aluminum frame and will likely last far longer. However, if you are dead set on aluminum, Paul will make a perfect bike for you.

soo.... ill probably go with rock lobster, im going to call my LBS tommorrow (paul sponsors their pro team) and see what they can get for me in terms of prices.

Yeah.. i was thinking about a redline complete bike but they dont come in campy...

u can buy just the frame. actually u can buy thier new top frame with Ritchey carbon fork for about $750ish. i have a '05 conquest pro which i liked (minus the fork).
now im on a ridley crosswind, which i really like. the high BB doesnt bother me, and it seems to fit me a little better.

If you want a Rock Lobster, call Paul directly because he might be backed up with orders so you may not get the frame this season.

I'd take the frame made in CA by Paul Sadoff over the frame welded in Taiwan with the Ridley stickers on it. You mentioned aluminum in your original post, but give steel a second thought. It's about as light as a top aluminum frame and will likely last far longer. However, if you are dead set on aluminum, Paul will make a perfect bike for you.
Rock Lobster.

if i could get a used rock lobster for $550 is this a good price? nothing wrong with it.

and about purchasing used cyclocross frames:
does the frame get fatiged (ie. loose stiffness, loose durability?)

if i could get a used rock lobster for $550 is this a good price? nothing wrong with it.

and about purchasing used cyclocross frames:
does the frame get fatiged (ie. loose stiffness, loose durability?)


Aluminum does supposedly weaken and become less stiff, but if the frame is only a few years old, I doubt you'd be able to feel it. If youre going to go used Aluminum, why not just get a used Redline off of Ebay for like $200-$250?

A long time road racer, I got into cross last season. I think aluminium is a good choice. Low maintenance, light enough, vibration that some people complain about on road bikes is a non-issue. No carbon stays. You don't "need" all the fancy stuff that goes along with a road bike. In cross, you fall, get muddy, run over/through things, etc. I like my Fort crossmax, handmade in czech republic, altec 2 italian tubes. I think they go for $699 now. Of those you mentioned, I really like the merckx. The ridley crosswind is made in taiwan. Nothing wrong with making products in taiwan, but pass on some of the savings to the customer and don't depict it as belgian.

LG has a sweet cross bike at $1k for the frameset.