Tricross - lights?

The Franckster

I've just bought a Specialized Tricross Sport for commuting and recreational use. It's the 2009 model and has the extra brake levers up on the top of the drop handlebar. All very nice but I can't for the life of me see where my front light is going to go. There's no room on the untaped part of the handlebar due to the extra levers and on the other side the bracket won't fit around the tape and the cable beneath. Has anyone with a Tricross out there encountered this problem? If so how have you got round it?

ride_whenever

I've got a pompino but had a similar problem.

Managed to get my bracket up really tight to the cyclocross levers under the cable and they seem to fit well in there. The other option is helmet mount or cut your handlebar tape back and move the cxlevers a bit further out.

If you do move them, if you get it right you should be able to re-use the inner and outer cables and just swap the section under the tape for the other section.

John.T

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Minoura_Swing_Grip_SG3_Handlebar_Extension/5360009512/
You could try one of these.

LorneC

What sort of lights are we talking about? I have an '06 Tricross sport and I have no problem fitting a Cateye HL500BS and my Cateye Astrale 8 computer on the front.

Indeed during the summer when this was my "summer bike" I could also fit Profile Century ZB Aero Bars onto the the bars, and still have room for the cycling computer - and a space-grip bar for the rare occasion I needed to stick a light on as well.

Stuck on a Giant

If you've got a mount to fit oversize bars, there should be room for a light mount next to the stem - that's where mine is.

The Franckster

Many thanks everyone. I considered what you all suggested and I think I've got it sussed now.
The problem was that the brake levers were too close to the stem clamp to allow room for anything else to be mounted. In order to move them out a bit I unwrapped some of the bar tape, disconnected the brake cables and pulled them through, before snipping off an inch or so of the outer cable sleeving on each side which now allows the brake levers to be sited further from the stem.
The trouble is that the handlebar is oversized in the centre and so I've had to order an oversized clamp for my light as suggested by 'Stuck on Giant'. Hassle... but it's sorted now. :roll:

smithers

That's exactly the question I was going to ask as I've just got a Tricross Sport. Thanks.

Haven't bought an extra mount yet but hopefully there is space between the interrupter brake lever and the stem on mine. One thing I'd been thinking is are the any lights that take advantage of the lowrider mounts on the forks...or is that a really daft idea?

Have got black guards and rack for mine and it's gonna look great

rhext

I just got rid of the extra brake levers. They're a pain in the a*se.

The Franckster

Smithers - not a daft idea, I'd thought the same myself. When I was a young lad all the bikes had a universal bracket on the forks or on the front of the steerer tube for a front light to slide on to. No handlebar shenanigans back then I can tell you! Haven't seen anything that's not handlebar mounted for a long time. Strange really because most rear lights can be mounted on the seat stays as well as the seat post.

LorneC

Have they changed the brake or something?

I have a good 2 inches of bar on either side stem before the brakes and bar-tape - plenty of room to get your lights, cycle computer on.

doog442

I agree the brakes are a pain and serve no real use,however ive managed to fiit a light,computer,bell and also attach my head torch to the handle bars..2008 version,bars are oversized as well.

To make room i twisted the levers about 45 degrees down can still use them if reqd.

amaferanga

smithers wrote:

One thing I'd been thinking is are the any lights that take advantage of the lowrider mounts on the forks...or is that a really daft idea?

You'd need a light on the bars as well as lights mounted low on forks cast huge shadows. One on the bars and one on the fork is a good set-up though - I use it for audax rides.