Specialized Tricross Sport Triple for commute

Stuww

Hi

Well my first year of commuting is nearly up and I've loved every minute of it, rain or shine!

I've spent most of the year riding my trusty Giant Escape M1 on my 20 mile daily round trip, a great bike that has been bullet proof.

I now feel it's time to move onto something a bit quicker and go from flat bars to drops.

I'm a 6' 18 stone chap and ride farely rough pot holed roads (aren't they all!), so I need a strong bike, I also need to carry a pannier and have mudguard fixtures.

£700 is the top of my budget, hopefully I'll get some trade in on my Giant.

Surfing the net the Specialized Tricross Sport Triple has looked like a strong contender, can anyone vouch for it's comfort and durability or offer an alternative.

Many thanks.

Stu

tyskie

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12548149

Bit of a discussion here.

Stuww

Thanks tyskie.

I did a search, but it just seems to bring back to much junk, didn't see that thread.

Cheers

Stu

tardington

Is that the one with proper gears, and the lowrider bosses and Zertz on the front forks?

It's VERY important that I get one of those. They look swish!

Or theres an Edinb Bikes basic tourer thing, with mechanical disc brakes for 600 pounds.
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 912m005846

(there is a 400 quid version with the tektro extra brake levers (on the bar like a flat bar) as well as the usual road brake levers - canti brakes though I think)

kuddly

I've had my Tricross for nearly a year . The only trouble i've had with it is it suffers from brake judder and changing the brakes didn't cure this . Don't know if this is a common fault with canti brakes . But apart from this i still love the bike

Peasoup

I've also had mine for just over a year. Used for daily commute (16 miles) but also done a lejog and walney/wear with no problems, tho' have had some judder as described by kuddly.
If you using it for commuting and want to fit guards (easily), then go for the sport rather comp (this doesn't have necessary lugs).
firmly recommend

dirk_van_gently

I have been using a crosser for commuting for almost a year (Felt F1x) and I have loved it..
Forget the "Free Road" marketing BS, crossers are just good stong all rounders. I have thrown everything at mine, and it's still all straight and true, and rolling nicely. I've stuck with CX tyres, as sections of my route are very rough, and I like XC riding at weekends, so not much point putting road tyres on it, except for very long road rides. There are plenty of strong light and fast CX tyres out there, plenty to choose from.

If it's mixed terrain you have to cover, a crosser is the way to go IMHO, and you can use it for single track riding too. I live not too far from Thetford Forest, and there is a growing number of crossers turning up at weekends.

neslon

Ive been using one for two years and its very good for commuting. I had to use my sons Allez last week and was delighted to get back on the 'cross. Less agile, heavier & less responsive, but far more comfortable for the daily run. I've put slicks (gatorskins) and a shimano hollotech chainset on & its excellent - it won't go on trails, but thats what the MTB is for (or the hybrid..)