Ten starter cyclo-cross bikes
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Focus Mares AX2.0 £999
Three-time cyclo-cross World Champion Mike Kluge set up Focus cycles back in 1992 and the brand has gone from strength to strength, with world-class riders riding their bikes in all genres of the sport. Focus originally came to these shores via internet giant, Wiggle, but are now available from a wider variety of local independent bike shops.
With a triple butted, hydro-formed frame and a carbon fork, neither of which have eyelets, the Focus Mares AX2 is aimed at the budding racer. The mix of Shimano 105 and Sora, with a 46-36 FSA chainset driving you forward and the powerful Avid Shorty 4s providing the braking power, you shouldn’t feel that you’re racing on a budget.
The Focus Mares is definitely ready to race – all it needs is for you to press hard on the pedals! That doesn’t mean you cant dress it up in mudguards and panniers for other duties outside the cyclocross season though, but it’s just more at home as a racing beast.
Ridley Crossbow £849
Ridley started off as a paint shop back in the 90’s and soon went on to become the market leader in Belgium, a country where they know their bikes and where cyclo-cross racing is a national obsession, so we can assume that they know how to build a quality ‘cross frame.
The X-Bow sits at the bottom of the Ridley range, but don’t be put off, the frame is double-butted aluminium, with a carbon fork with alloy steerer. Components are a mix of Shimano 105 and 4ZA, Ridleys own in house brand.
The 4ZA Cirrus Pro CX brake claims to have ‘improved mechanical ratio for superb braking power’. They certainly look the part and have a neat little barrel adjuster on one of the arms, allowing you to adjust your cantilevers just so.
Yet again pannier and mudguard eyelets are included for versatility.
Ridley
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[…] mtbs. I’ve put together a list of what I think are some good first time ‘cross bikes on CycleTechReview, which show the kind of bikes a lot of people were […]