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When I set out to buy myself a new all-weather commuter, I had developed a few basic qualities it should have. First, it should be some rustproof material to avoid damage during wet weather riding. Second, it should have disc brakes for consistent and powerful stopping in all conditions. Lastly, it should be fast, because I simply like riding fast.
The final point was developed only after buying a Schwinn BMX Cruiser as a commuter. It seemed to meet all my objectives at the time, it was rustproof (aluminum), it was simple (single speed), and it was durable (BMX). However, I found that I didn't like the fact that the only time you could go fast was when standing, because the seat was far too low to put any power to the pedals while sitting. The BMX is certainly a lot of fun, but it didn't turn out to be the commuter I had hoped.
The Redline Conquest Pro, on the other hand, is a delight. The Michelin Jets are extremely fast rolling, so it is nearly as fast as my road bike on the street. The disc brakes give powerful stopping power when I need it, wet or dry. The narrow, knobby tread penetrates slush and packed snow quite readily, giving predictable handling when the weather turns cold. At just about 19lbs, it sprints and climbs eagerly. And the geomtery is aggressive enough for speed, but not so extreme as to upset handling.
I chose the Redline over the competetion for a few reasons. First off, it was one of the few cyclocross frames readily available with disc brakes. Second, it was proven durable and light after many years of domestic racing. Third, it was available for a reasonable price locally at Excel Sports. Last, but not least, the paint scheme was very appealing.
I can see why the popularity of cyclocross is growing in the US. Its been years since I had this much fun on my commute. The cyclocross bike makes a much better townie than the mountain bikes that seem to have claimed the market. Cyclocross is the only discipline that actually has me considering racing, because its both something I could train for, and something I have time to travel to. Maybe next year...
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