Does this bike exist and would I want it?

[SalsaMTB]

Definitely stick with the cross bikes. The flat bar road bikes you mentioned may not have enough clearance to put a knobby tire on so you won't be able to ride off road at all with them.

Have you thought about the Surly bikes? The Cross Check is a nice steel frame for not much money. It's also available as a complete bike. You may want to look into building it up though to get it exactly as you want. It also has bosses on the rear triangle to mount a rack (not sure if that's important to you).

ETA: This link has a huge list with links off basically all the cross frames out there. Some of them have pricing, but some are listed for Frame only while others are for complete bike. Thought you might be interested:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=258177

[Kalidurga]

I read through this pretty quickly, so this may have already been mentioned.

Cyclocross bikes are more than just modified road bikes. This is one of the articles I read last year when I was thinking of buying a 'cross: The Case for 'Cross. Wikipedia's entry for Cyclo-cross bicycles also gives a great description.

I didn't buy my 'cross bike with the intention to race. Like you, I wanted the fun of mulitple options from one bike and the beauty of a 'cross bike is definitely in the options. Salsa's suggestion of beginning with the frame is a good one. And for a bar, you might consider something I've seen on a lot of messenger bikes lately: an over-sized TT bar. The ends of the bar face forward instead of back and down, so you've got the option of riding on the flats, or stretching forward with a wider arm position than you'd have with a typical TT bar. I'm seriously thinking of trying a pair of these on my bike.

[SouthernBelle]

Mustache bar??

[Kalidurga]

Don't mustache bars sweep down and out to the side, with the ends pointing towards the back of the bike? The cow-horn bars I've seen look like someone flipped a drop bar upside down and then cut off the drops. They're less swoopy than the mustache bars I've seen, and the ends point towards the front wheel. It sounds as if they'd give more of the effect that Cindyloo seems to be looking for.

[Cindyloo]

Thank you all so, so much for your suggestions. You have thought of things I never would have. I suppose I was focused on flat bars for their (in my perception) easier bike handling. Perhaps I should just learn to increase my bike handling skills with the drop bars, particularly off road! Changing hand position is very important and I didn't think about the lack of opportunities with the flat bars.

I guess I was mistaken about the comfort of the aero bars too! Floyd looks so comfy in his "praying mantis" position! The TT bars sound interesting and I'll definitely have to check those out as well as all of the bikes you ladies suggested.

I think a cyclocross bike might be in my future! It is such an adventure to find the right one!

[Blueberry]

Have you thought about the Surly bikes? The Cross Check is a nice steel frame for not much money. It's also available as a complete bike. You may want to look into building it up though to get it exactly as you want. It also has bosses on the rear triangle to mount a rack (not sure if that's important to you).

I just bought a cross check a couple of weeks ago off ebay (photos will be forthcoming) and I LOVE it. Didn't need another bike, but this one came equipped exactly as I wanted it (would have cost me a lot more to build up). It even has pink wheels

[7rider]

I've been eyeing a Lemond Poprad and a Redline, which look pretty cool. I think from what you are looking for, a cross bike is a good way to go.

I have a flatbar road bike for commuting, as I wanted it for low-speed control in a city. Bar-ends were the first accessory I put on it, however, so I could have a variety of hand positions, since, yeah...a flat bar can be hard on longer rides. With the bar ends, I routinely do 40-50 miles rides without a problem. A friend of mind did a century (100 miles) on a flat bar road bike with bar ends and she had no hand problems, either. So....if you don't find a 'cross bike you like, and opt for a flatbar bike - I think bar ends are a definite "gotta have".

[SouthernBelle]

Let's see:

Mustache

Cow-horn

[Kalidurga]

Let's see:

Mustache

Cow-horn

Exactly. The important differentiation is that the ends of the cow-horns face forward and the mustache sweeps backwards. To me, it seems like the cow-horns would feel similar to either a flat bar with bar ends, or riding on the hoods of a drop bar.

I put bar ends on the flat bar of my old hybrid and found that the more I rode, the more I kept angling them forward. I finally realized that it was because my body wanted to be more stretched out on the bike. When I switched to the 'cross bike with drop bars, I used the flats a lot at first. Partly because I wasn't used to the hand position of the hoods and drops, partly out of habit. By the end of the summer, though, I found that I felt much more control of the bike from the hoods than from the flats (I'm still getting used to the drops, though). Obviously it'll be different for everyone, but if you're leery of giving up your flat bars, Cindyloo, you might be surprised at how easily you adapt to drop bars. But, if you were to try drops and decide you're not comfortable with them, it's cool to know that there are more bar options these days than just flat and drop.

My take, you really can't get a bike that does all. Pick a sport. Buy the bike that fits that sport.

But why? What if your "sport" is just getting out there and enjoying the ride, and getting a kick out of being able to go wherever you want on your bike? A 'cross bike certainly doesn't do it all, but it does a lot more than bikes that are geared to specific surfaces or styles of riding. If someone wants that versatility and can't afford more than one bike, they're probably gonna get a lot of value and pleasure from a 'cross bike.

(Yeah, I'm a devotee I'll get off the soapbox now...)

[VeloVT]

The Lemond Poprad is a nice bike. I was **this close** to getting one but decided on the Bianchi Axis instead. The Lemond is the lightest **steel** cross bike I tested -- just a hair over 20lbs -- and handles well. In my experience it was lighter, snappier and quicker-handling than the Bianchi Volpe (about 25 lbs?). I also tried a Redline -- not sure which -- Conquest tour perhaps? -- and found it, um, placid. Heavy and pokey, but a good solid bike for the money (like half as much as the Poprad).

I LOVE my Axis. I concur with others that it sounds like a cx bike would suit your needs well. The wide tires and fenders have been great this winter, the more upright geometry is great for riding in traffic and is **super comfortable**, and it's still quick and fun (and could be even quicker with different tires).

Edit: Poprad is about $1200, as is Axis. Volpe is around $800... and the Redline I tried was on sale for about $650. (Not sure what MSRP was).

[Cindyloo]

Ooooh ooooh, I likey all of the suggestions! The Volpe is gorgeous and the Lemond Poprad. I guess the Volpe would leave me $$$ for accessories!

I looked up the 2007 Lemond Poprad and it only showed the disc brake version on their website. By the way, how do you pronounce Poprad (so I won't sound like a dufus when I call the bike shop)! Is it Poe-prad or Pop-rad?

Kalidurga, I'm glad you mentioned which way those mustache and cow horn bars were supposed to point! I think I just need to get more comfortable with the drops on a traditional handlebar first.

There is a Bianchi dealer about 2 miles from my office and a Lemond dealer about a mile away. I think I may have to take a looooong lunch hour tomorrow! I guess there are advantages to working downtown ATL!

[Triskeliongirl]

I have a flatbar road bike for commuting, as I wanted it for low-speed control in a city. Bar-ends were the first accessory I put on it, however, so I could have a variety of hand positions, since, yeah...a flat bar can be hard on longer rides. With the bar ends, I routinely do 40-50 miles rides without a problem. A friend of mind did a century (100 miles) on a flat bar road bike with bar ends and she had no hand problems, either. So....if you don't find a 'cross bike you like, and opt for a flatbar bike - I think bar ends are a definite "gotta have".

FYI, my flat bar terry classic also had bar ends. I think the problem was also the angle of my wrists, just couldn't get as many positions that didn't cause wrist strain even with the bar ends. In terms of control, just don't go too narrow on your drop bars, get them either shoulder width, or slightly wider to improve control. I really like the bianchi volpe. Its designed for BOTH touring and real cyclcross, so I think it gives you the max versatlity. I was very impressed with the one I saw, and its definitely in your price range (even below your max).

[bcipam]

Listen flat bars are OK for mountain biking but are very uncomfortable for road and it will sit you up too much, not leaned over, aerodynamic. And if you are doing a century, you'll want to be able to move your hands and body around more than a flat bar will offer. Stay away from a Mustache bar. Hard to handle and very uncomfortable on longer rides.

I guess you are looking for a cross bike but get one (and they usually come this way) with regular road bars. Bianci does make a nice cross bike as does Lemond.

My take, you really can't get a bike that does all. Pick a sport. Buy the bike that fits that sport. You can always take a road bike on dirt trails if you use a wider, computer like tire. If you buy a cross, computer, comfort, sport, mountain bike, they aren't really suited for road riding. If you see yourself doing more trail, off-raod riding then get a mountain bike - hardtail - and an extra set of wheels that you can use for roading.

[SadieKate]

Cross bikes work great on the pavement.

A cross bike will take narrow tires but a road bike may not take wide ones and rarely has space for mud and debris. Yes, the bottom bracket is higher but that just takes a little getting used to and most people won't even notice.

[Veronica]

My Legolas is a cross bike and I LOVE it on the road. I have 23s on it and I do take it off road, carefully, but it does go off road. I just didn't suggest it earlier, because it's more money than she wants to spend.

And I did my first organized century on a mountain bike - America's Most Beautiful Ride - and it was fine. I also did a self supported road tour down the Pacific Coast on a mountain bike.

We're all different. There are people who love mustache bars and don't find them difficult or uncomfortable. I've never used them, so can't comment.

V.