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Orbea Lobular or Merckx Alu Cross?

I'm looking to shed some weight and reduce the springyness of the cross-check. I'll likely either strip and sell the frame or single speed / fixie the Surly.

Both are about the same $$$, but the Orbea is a bit less. Add the fork and you're close to equal. I'm looking for precision handling closer to a road bike and dropping 6-8lbs rather than a jack of all trades, master of none. I raced about 6-8 starts last year and will likely do more this season. The winter bike / trail use is fun, but not my prime use for the new bike.

I'm 230lbs and 6'4, my Surly is a 58 and is a tad small for me. It weighs in at a portly 25lbs.

You might also want to consider one of the top line, but chaper mass produced bikes like the specialized, cannondale or giant. You can get a built bike with a nice set of race wheels for what I suspect will end up being a much better price. I seem to end up getting about 2-3 seasons of use out of a cross bike and selling it complete. They have a tough life and do tend to get used up and banged around when used as designed, so I'd opt for something that is light, well designed and more affordable than a Merckx. I do ride an old MX leader on the road that I can't seem to part with...



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Orbea Lobular or Merckx Alu Cross?

I'm looking to shed some weight and reduce the springyness of the cross-check. I'll likely either strip and sell the frame or single speed / fixie the Surly.

Both are about the same $$$, but the Orbea is a bit less. Add the fork and you're close to equal. I'm looking for precision handling closer to a road bike and dropping 6-8lbs rather than a jack of all trades, master of none. I raced about 6-8 starts last year and will likely do more this season. The winter bike / trail use is fun, but not my prime use for the new bike.

I'm 230lbs and 6'4, my Surly is a 58 and is a tad small for me. It weighs in at a portly 25lbs.

at your height you might want to try an IF, which are all custom sized now

You might also want to consider one of the top line, but chaper mass produced bikes like the specialized, cannondale or giant. You can get a built bike with a nice set of race wheels for what I suspect will end up being a much better price. I seem to end up getting about 2-3 seasons of use out of a cross bike and selling it complete. They have a tough life and do tend to get used up and banged around when used as designed, so I'd opt for something that is light, well designed and more affordable than a Merckx. I do ride an old MX leader on the road that I can't seem to part with...

Orbea Lobular or Merckx Alu Cross?

I'm 230lbs and 6'4, my Surly is a 58 and is a tad small for me. It weighs in at a portly 25lbs.

I'm nowhere near your size -- 185 and 5'10" -- and I own a Merckx. I recently bought it and haven't raced it yet. It will be taking the place of an old Redline that is a tad small. I'll be using the Redline as a pit bike.

Anyway, I like the bike very much (including the overall component selection). It is lighter and more comfortable than my Redline and is the right size. I rode some trails and BXM whoopty-doos (no jumps for me) last night and it felt predictable enough to inspire confidence. Disclaimer: I have a carbon fork.

I think that if the geometry works for you, you're going to be happy with either frame.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?postid=65560#poststop

his bikes tend to have great geometry and are usually built on the 'strong side' (GX2 Team SC omitted). I have a roadie of his that I love. I'm about your size as well.