Specialised Tricross single for commuting

passout
passout Posts: 4,425
edited January 2009 in Commuting chat
Happy New Year!

Just bought a single speed cross bike at a keen price ( see http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... _NOW_27499 ) for a daily, 12 mile return, mainly flat and urban daily commute.

I've never had a SS or cyclo cross bike before and I've got some questions......

1) Do you think the (18t,42t) gearing is appropriate or will at, as I suspect, be too low? Would a 16t sprocket be better?
2) What do you think of the tyres for a short commute & what would you use? I'll obviously try them first.
3) Reviews on Bike Radar suggest that this is a good bike with pretty crappy brakes - any comments? I've got some spare Tiagra road brakes in the shed - would they be appropriate and/or an improvement?

That's it, thanks for your help.
'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.

Comments

  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    1. Depends on your commute really! What gear do you tend to ride in on the geared roadie I'm presuming you have...?

    2. Pass. I am not a good source of info on tyres.

    3. I replaced just the blocks/pads on mine and the difference was remarkable. Also a lot easier than replacing the whole brake and all that.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    passout wrote:
    Happy New Year!

    Just bought a single speed cross bike at a keen price ( see http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... _NOW_27499 ) for a daily, 12 mile return, mainly flat and urban daily commute.

    I've never had a SS or cyclo cross bike before and I've got some questions......

    1) Do you think the (18t,42t) gearing is appropriate or will at, as I suspect, be too low? Would a 16t sprocket be better?
    2) What do you think of the tyres for a short commute & what would you use? I'll obviously try them first.
    3) Reviews on Bike Radar suggest that this is a good bike with pretty crappy brakes - any comments? I've got some spare Tiagra road brakes in the shed - would they be appropriate and/or an improvement?

    That's it, thanks for your help.

    If you haven't already then I'd just call Pearson direct and speak to them, ask for Will or Alan, good fella's and know their stuff.
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    I think most of the reviews slating the brakes on Tricrosses are from back before Specialized switched to using V-brakes.

    I certainly find the stopping power on mine (Tricross Sport) is fine, although I do still get a little judder sometimes.
    My photography // My helmet cam videos // My bike
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Ok, noted. Cheers.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    passout wrote:
    Happy New Year!

    Just bought a single speed cross bike at a keen price ( see http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... _NOW_27499 ) for a daily, 12 mile return, mainly flat and urban daily commute.

    I've never had a SS or cyclo cross bike before and I've got some questions......

    1) Do you think the (18t,42t) gearing is appropriate or will at, as I suspect, be too low? Would a 16t sprocket be better?
    2) What do you think of the tyres for a short commute & what would you use? I'll obviously try them first.
    3) Reviews on Bike Radar suggest that this is a good bike with pretty crappy brakes - any comments? I've got some spare Tiagra road brakes in the shed - would they be appropriate and/or an improvement?

    That's it, thanks for your help.

    It's a good bike and would have been the sort of thing I'd buy had I been better informed, if you're worried about the brake then as LiTs has already said replacing the pad will help and thankfully CX brake are relatively cheap.

    As for gears I think 42/18T will be to low for a short flat commute, 44/17T is a nice starting point and will allow you to tackle small hills, that's unless you like spinning 100+ RPM (spen666).

    Good choice and enjoy.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    ooh ooh I want one!
    I have run out of bike favours at linsencentral :(
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    linsen wrote:
    ooh ooh I want one!
    I have run out of bike favours at linsencentral :(

    Money very well spent, i'm building one at the moment and it's going to have cost me almost twice that amount.

    do it do it do it.

    you know you want to :wink:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    oh I know I want to

    Haven't finished paying the family fund back for the last one yet though........
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • RockyHopperShow
    RockyHopperShow Posts: 271
    I run a bog-standard 42/18 on my Langster and it is perfect (for me) on the flat 6-mile commute from Shoreham-by-Sea into Brighton for my gym. Tyres are a personal thing but you might prefer Spesh's Borough tyre which'll give you the option of light off-roading too. I think the brakes, as fitted will be fine.
    Start Weight: 128 kilos (20.2 st) (April 17th 2009)
    Current Weight:119 kilos (18.7 st) (June 18th 2009)
    Target Weight: 92 kilos (14.5 st) (sometime mid-2010, hopefully sooner)
  • andy jackson
    andy jackson Posts: 34
    It seems to be the bike of choice!

    i got mine from harries in mcr, who price matched ish, but wanted to support LBS.

    i find that the brake set up is ok, the leavers on the top of the bars are a little spongy, but overall the v's are ok,

    i find on my 7 mile commute that i spin out quite quickly, and am thinking of a 17 or 16 for the rear, was thinking of fixed, although reading some of the accounts on here, i might stick with what i know and go free!


    andy

    .
    Specialized Tricross SS FCN 4
    GT Zaskar FCN 10
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    OK. I'll stick with the brakes & tyres for a good few rides at least. I'll see how the gearing works out - I suspect I'll need something higher.

    Thanks.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • flybywire
    flybywire Posts: 575
    edited January 2009
    Congratulations on your Good choice! - good relatively light SS bike.

    I have an '08 56" single that I've raced CX 3 times and done surprisingly well..

    It's currently my commuter where I ride 28miles a day to work in Newbury. The adaptability of this bike is excellent as will zip along towpaths (when recent icy weather has been excellent). Faster than mtb everywhere and nearly as quick as roadbike on road. :)

    About the brakes, I've just fitted lx cantis from Planet -x but need cool stop pads (the v-brakes as oem are under par)
    I wouldn't fit roadbike brakes as they will clog off-road and restrict versaltility.

    The standard tyres are ok as are versatile and more puncture proof than conti- speedkings.

    Just fitted some SKS beavertail mudguards to prepare for Spring rain - keep informed on how they perform ..
  • flybywire
    flybywire Posts: 575
    16t is ideal with standard front chainring on road (good for 22mph on flat) - 18T offroad deals with most terrain.. :wink:
  • rb1956
    rb1956 Posts: 134
    passout wrote:
    Just bought a single speed cross bike at a keen price ( see http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... _NOW_27499 ) for a daily, 12 mile return, mainly flat and urban daily commute. I've never had a SS or cyclo cross bike before and I've got some questions......

    1) Do you think the (18t,42t) gearing is appropriate or will at, as I suspect, be too low? Would a 16t sprocket be better?
    2) What do you think of the tyres for a short commute & what would you use? I'll obviously try them first.
    3) Reviews on Bike Radar suggest that this is a good bike with pretty crappy brakes - any comments? I've got some spare Tiagra road brakes in the shed - would they be appropriate and/or an improvement?
    Very nice bike, mate. Well done! Your mount only really needs lights, mudguards and maybe a rack and you're done.
      1) Can't comment here, because so much depends on terrain and your strength. 2) CX tyres tend to be a bit knobby, but try 'em by all means. For commuting I favour tough touring tyres like Schwalbe Marathons, which are available in 700x32 and 700x35. 3) I'd be surprised if the supplied V-brakes are inadequate. I wouldn't mess with them unless you really have to, beyond changing to better pads, because:
      a) V-brakes give lots of lovely clearance for wide tyres, mudguards etc. b) Switching to road brakes (I assume you mean callipers?) will be a hassle, involving changing the levers (and maybe cables), retaping the bars etc.
    Enjoy your bike! :D

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