2011 cyclo-cross bikes sub $2,500
The cyclo-cross season for 2010 is pretty much over, but it is not too late to ride one of these very versatile bikes. We looked at the Fisher Presidio, Blue Norcross EX, Specialized CruX Elite, Focus Mares AX1, Cannondale CAADX SRAM Rival and Ridley X-Ride, all bikes sub $2,500.
Fisher Presidio
What: Steel is still real in the eyes of many, and the very understated Fisher Presidio features a Platinum Series steel frame, SRAM Rival components, Bontrager Race FCC wheels and quite a few other Bontrager elements.
Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
MSRP: $2,089.99
Website: trekbikes.com
Blue Norcross EX
What: The Blue Norcross EX is the little sibling to the bike ridden by Jonathan Page and features a carbon monocoque frame set, tapered head tube and a BB30 bottom bracket. The Norcross EX bike comes with a SRAM Apex CX group and American Classic Victory 30 wheels as featured here, but you can also get the frame set for $1,500.
Sizes: XS, SM, MD, ML, LG
MSRP: $2,400
Website: rideblue.com
Specialized CruX Elite
What: The Specialized CruX just won the US National Championships under Todd Wells with different components, but hey, if that frame set is good enough for a Pro, it should be good enough for us ordinary folks. The CruX Elite features fully manipulated Specialized E5 Aluminum tubing, a 1 1/8"- 1 1/2" tapered head tube and Shimano Tiagra components. (Specialized also has the CruX Expert Carbon in this category right at $2,500)
Sizes: 46, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
MSRP: $1,400
Website: specialized.com
Focus Mares AX 1
What: German Mike Kluge won the amateur and professional cyclo-cross world championships before he started the Focus bike brand, so it is not surprising that cross bikes are an important element of their line. The Mares AX1 is constructed from triple butted aluminum and features Shimano Ultegra and FSA components and a DT Swiss R 1900 wheel set.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
MSRP: $2,110
Website: focus-bikes.com
Cannondale CAADX SRAM Rival
What: The Cannondale CAADX SRAM Rival is the top dog of Cannondale's aluminum cross bikes because of the component spec, but all of the CAADX frames are crafted from 6061 aluminum. Cannondale Pros Jamey Driscoll, Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson were all aboard the new carbon SuperX frames, but the CAADX is enough performance for most folks, plus it is much lighter on the wallet.
Sizes: 44, 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm
MSRP: $1,919
Website: cannondale.com
Ridley X-Ride
What: Ridley is a Belgian brand and cyclo-cross is extremely popular there. The X-Ride is a brand new model for 2011 and features triple-butted 7000 series aluminum tubing, SRAM Rival components and Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels.
Sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60cm
MSRP: $1,995
Website: ridley-bikes.com
