Off the rack: monster cross and/or Ultra CX bikes!

Monster Cross / UltraCX bikes off the rack.

We recently glanced lovingly at the Diamondback Haanjo.  Today, let's look at some similar offerings.

Omni Strada Pro

One very promising offering from BikesDirect is the Motobecane Omni Strado Pro. This aluminum-framed Turino Team has hydraulic disc brakes and a nice carbon post, but costs $200 more and has narrower rims.) The tubeless compatible WTB i23 rims are 29er rims (though with 700c hubs); they and the frame can hold up to 700 x 45 tires. They skimped on the seatpost and the mechanical disc brakes.  But at $1200US with free US shipping ($1580 CAD), this bike is quite the deal.  

Similarly, the Omni Strada Expert is the same bike with SRAM Rival, while the Omni Strada Comp is identical, but with Shimano 105 components.  Both of these bikes sell for $1000US ($1311 CAD).   You can also opt for a titanium version, a SRAM Apex version, and carbon-framed versions.
bike comes with nearly full Ultegra components.  

Framed Marquette adventure bike

A very exciting bike is the Framed Marquette adventure bike.  At $2000 US ($2633 CAD) it's not cheap, but you get a lot for the money!  You get a carbon frame with Lauf 29er forks and a SRAM Rival drivetrain. You also get Boost dimensions.  They cheaped out on the brakes, with mechanical disc brakes.  The drivetrain is a 1 x 11 set up with a 32 teeth front ring and an 11-42 cassette.  WTB i23 rims, alloy post.  It's the Lauf fork that really sets this bike apart, since that alone $990 US. ($1300 CAD). The entire bike is, of course, a mountain bike repackaged as an adventure bike, but it does look mighty fun.