Specialized Tricross Singlecross

homercles

Singlecross

I'm thinking about making one of these my next purchase, reason being I fancy...

a) a bit of single cog action
b) something low maintenance to spare the beloved Italia another pasting at the hands of the forthcoming winter
c) something that can take a bit of bumpy stuff, plus towpaths, light off-road tracks, etc
d) something that will take mudguards, maybe a rack
e) another bike 8)

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of the Tricross in singlespeed form? Or if there is something similar I should consider, bearing in mind budget (around £500-600) and possible light off-road need.

I presume you hardcore SS riders will tell me it'd be fine for what will soon be an 11.5 mile each way commute (pretty flat).

Also, I get the impression it's a freewheel at the moment? Any idea how hard it is to convert to a fixed, in case I feel like going hardcore?

Cheers

meagain

Only rode mine once in s/s form (while awaiting a fixed sprocket) and I've not had it long enough to give a fully considered view, but FWIW I think that it is an excellent bike. Takes 'grds AND biggish tyres - to my mind essential for all-round, all-weather, use.
The wheels are apparently a weak point - but then I suspect that that is true of all s/s and fixed at less than even twice the price of the Tricross. All the rest seems fine to me.
I wouldn't however pay retail: plenty already coming along (barely) used (as folk realise that there was a good reason why variable gears were invented!) at c. 250 quid.
Get one for that money and a spare set of wheels with the change!
Opinion only you understand!

meagain

Sorry missed the "fixed" question. It's a double sided, fixed/free, hub. Just screw on a sprocket of your choice and...that's it really! Even (I think) comes with a lockring.

daz51

I looked at the Single Tricross and it is a lovely machine. The only thing which put me off was the price to be honest.

But thats just me, lol

spasypaddy

i just had one built up specially for me for around £400 see this thread:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12590253
its a great ride, steel 10kg, its got a flip flop hub, not sure about the off road potential. I got it built with mudguards. I ride it on a 12mile commute each way and it seems fine.

If you are interested i can put you in touch with the place i got it, just PM me.

meagain

Rather neat that "Premier"! Seems to be a "trade" frame: there's been a couple on th'bay and one shop told me that could get me what from the description is the same "from our usual supplier" when I enquired about a sloping top tube fixed to take 'grds etc.

spasypaddy

the premier brand is from my LBS, im sure that many different places can source it but the rest of the parts i picked out from the shop and they built the frame up for me to my specification.

this is their website for other info:
http://www.premiercycles.co.uk/start.html

it doesnt actually have that frame on there but it has a lot of background to the company

ride_whenever

I'd build up a pompino, they're such a laugh. Or look for an old school racer and stick on some really nice wheels.

homercles

Cheers for the advice guys, esp meagain - second hand could well be a winner. As you suggest, there seem to be a few knocking around.

I'd like to get a racier SS but first up I really do want something that can do a bit more in terms of off-road stuff, hence the bigger tyre desire.

meagain

Glad to be of help!
I did look a lot before deciding on a Tricross - and I couldn't really find anything else that seemed likely to do the big tyres/'grds/gentle off road bit so well.
And so far so good. Only beaten IMHO by the fixed titanium On One cyclo crosser that I used to own. But there's only 3 of them in existence - and somewhat more expensive!
Good luck!

mattsccm

I like mine although I feel that the V brakes fitted are less effective than cantis. Just fitted the latter but have yet to ride them.

ride_whenever

If you're running v's then you need to have levers that pull the correct amount of cable. I have v-s with correct levers and they have disc prolapsing stopping power!

Dickie

Dave please post some pics of the Ti On One you had.

demmerson

There was a used one for sale on the Planet-X site a few days ago but it's gone now. It looked very, very nice.

meagain

Rob, here was in its summer clothes!

meagain

Couldn't find the On One on FGG (tho' I assume I posted it there!), but to my surprise some others still there - 474, 977, 978, 979 and 1300. Probably some more, though after it became full of very similar and often run of the mill "stuff" I gave up. I think "no. 474" was one of the first from UK?

I'll stick the £6 Raleigh Pioneer up when I get around to it - that should annoy!

Dickie

Here are mine, there will be two more soon. Dave the Ti On One is v nice. I remember 474! I saw a post that said it was stolen in Hackney. :evil:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/rob50.htm

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/apr/Bob&Jo.htm

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/ju ... Burton.htm

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/mar/BobandJo.htm

meagain

IF I had two grand going spare I'd have another one built - altho' I'd opt for a more "compact" sloping t/t design!

Dickie

Check out the Burls at Hubjub. :shock:

http://www.hubjub.co.uk/burls/ticourier.htm

meagain

Nah - x23 tyres, not for my style of riding! 32s and 'grds minimum requirement! That's why I'd have to have one MADE. IF I had the steam I'd send a picture of the Tricross to China and say "one like this please".

mattsccm

Got one and use it mostly off road. Will stick a fixed on one side when I can shift it off my other wheels. Brakes are censored . Reckon the V's are too long. . Trying some LX cantis that are kicking about. Ok with a long straddle wire. Plenty of these on ebay for nowt. I like the bike. Forks the most comfy I have found on an alloy bike.

meagain

" Forks the most comfy I have found on an alloy bike."

Seconded - altho' I find the whole bike a nice off-tarmac ride - no doubt the big air tyres help! I also have a set of better wheels with x28 Gatorskins for tarmac.