The Dark Side

Wallace1492

That's it, just done it. Ordered a Specialized Tricross Sport 27 2009. Getting delivered on Wednesday. Unfortunately away Thursday till Sunday and won't be able to get a proper ride on it till next week!!

The commute will never be the same again methinks...... moving up the food chain, need to try and get my fitness level up to justify it though, but really looking forward to it.

Used to be a Roadie, but been on MTB last number of years, so a little trepedation, but excitement. Roll on the commute next week.

Kieran_Burns

Welcome Darth Wallace - Capes are on the left, please ensure you get a good fitting.



You may very soon find the tyres that come with the Tricross are worth changing - they are neither CX tyres (slick middle) nor road (they get torn up and are slow)

Enjoy yourself with it - best decision I made for a commute bike.

dirk_van_gently

<engage deep gravely slightly asthmatic voice mode>

Feel the Power of the Dark Side.

</engage deep gravely slightly asthmatic voice mode>

Vittoria XN or XG for the round rubbery things, get my vote

mudcovered

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Vittoria XN or XG for the round rubbery things, get my vote

I've been getting on pretty well with Bontrager CXR. Was a little skeptical when I fitted them as they seemed a bit too offroad (even though 50% of my commute is dirt). However I've been really happy with them especially when the roads are soaked and the dirt trail turns to mud. My initial skepticism was down to a bad experience with bontrager MTB slicks which had appalling grip in the wet.

Mike

Wallace1492

Most of my commute is road, well all of it actually, heard that the tyres that come fitted are not the best, but will keep on for a while, and probably change to road tyres, though not sure what ones - probably something that is OK, for a little rougher surfaces, as I can never be bothered changing tyres, changed my MTB to slicks for cycling in the Pyranees and never changed back and done a lot of off roading with them with virtually no noticable loss in traction.

Kieran_Burns

I changed mine for Conti City Ride as they seemed the best compromise between speed and protection.

I got 32c for the extra confort on the off road sections of the ride and haven't been able to fault them... although I am able to get wheel spins when pulling off grass / leaf strewn paths!

Just found a very good page on the Conti site:

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ring.shtml

that's a good way to see which tyre you need.

Wallace1492

Kieran, how you find the brakes, that is the only downside I hear about the bike?

Kieran_Burns

Wallace1492 wrote:

Kieran, how you find the brakes, that is the only downside I hear about the bike?

I have the canti-lever brakes with kool-stop pads. They are very good. You can lock the back wheel up very easily and I have to be careful with the front, The secondary brake levers (interrupters) are very good and when you brake using the drops you can easily get enough force with 2 or 3 fingers. I've never once run out of road before stopping.

As I use shared cycle / bridle / foot paths I have to be constantly aware of kids / pedestrians / dogs and the brakes have never let me down. I've been complimented on my awareness before and the dog owners are always apologetic when their pet causes me to test the brakes

Wallace1492

Ah.... you have a 2008 Tricross, the 2009 does not have the brake lever extentions. Not sure if a good thing or not, but will see how it goes.

No doubt will post on the performance next week.

richara3

My 2009 sport did ... I just did not fit them. I can not fault the brakes and have yet to experience this fork judder they talk of .So far Ive done 2500 miles in all weathers. Ive changed the tyres to 25c slicks replaced a snapped chain and both sets of brake pads, had the rear wheel respoked after breaking 2 spokes on seperate occasions.And may replace the front chain rings soon as they look a little 'sharp'. I may be a little over maintaining my bike but seeing as I use it for the commute I dont want to be let down by breakages..

Have fun its a good bike..

Andy

Kieran_Burns

I must admit I thought I had the 2009 model as well.... I wonder how I can check.

Wallace1492

Here is what I saw, one in Dales did not have lever extentions, and no mention of it on the Wheelies site, where I ordered from.

http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Special ... ross27.htm

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p20931/Specia ... -2009.aspx

dirk_van_gently

Bike Radar have in a spookily and timely manner posted this

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/cyclo-cross/product/tricross-sport-09-33640

Kieran_Burns

Ah. I DO have the 2009 model <phew>, and it's good to see we made the right choice!

Incidentally I rarely get the brake judder problem.

Jay dubbleU

I have just acquired one of these http://www.voodoocycles.net/bokor.htm - after my recent trip to Scotland I decided to get something a little more robust 8)

doog442

Wallace1492 wrote:

That's it, just done it. Ordered a Specialized Tricross Sport 27 2009. Getting delivered on Wednesday. Unfortunately away Thursday till Sunday and won't be able to get a proper ride on it till next week!!

The commute will never be the same again methinks...... moving up the food chain, need to try and get my fitness level up to justify it though, but really looking forward to it.

Used to be a Roadie, but been on MTB last number of years, so a little trepedation, but excitement. Roll on the commute next week.

nice choice...stick some road tyres on it and pretend you are roadie again :roll:

but why :?: you can save 7 pounds in weight and buy a road bike to start with

Wallace1492

doog442 wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

That's it, just done it. Ordered a Specialized Tricross Sport 27 2009. Getting delivered on Wednesday. Unfortunately away Thursday till Sunday and won't be able to get a proper ride on it till next week!!

The commute will never be the same again methinks...... moving up the food chain, need to try and get my fitness level up to justify it though, but really looking forward to it.

Used to be a Roadie, but been on MTB last number of years, so a little trepedation, but excitement. Roll on the commute next week.

nice choice...stick some road tyres on it and pretend you are roadie again :roll:

but why :?: you can save 7 pounds in weight and buy a road bike to start with

Because I will be commuting partially off road as well as on, the adaptability of this bike really appears to me, and I like the fact that it is robust enough for cycle touring. I do have an old road bike, but have loved my MTB over the last 3.5 years, but want something a little faster, but more road suited. Will be putting knobblies back on MTB, and have a superb all round 2 bike set up that can go anywhere!!

biondino

CX is the live action role play of the bike world. Dark side my 4rse

simonaspinall

Wallace,

I had the 2009 Tricross and it was my first 'proper' bike after using bso's for years. Shame it got written off but while I it was mine it was superb!

Tis a mint ride, fast, tough, not too heavy and it is wicked for commuting. You made a good purchase decision there.

The 2010 models across all bike manufacturers seem to be taking the p*ss with the spec - The specialized roubaix and Tarmac seem to be downgraded to 105 hardware (although to be fair is the new 105 as good as old ultegra - Is it the same as the previous 105?) and they charge the same price...cheek!

Wallace1492

Its arrived, its arrived!!

Looks lovely, all shiny, and sleek, just wish I had brought some shorts to cycle it home...
But, will need to adjust and refinements, so Maryhill Road would not be the best place for this, especially if I am trying to zoom home in order to see the mighty Scotland crush lowly Norway!!

Kieran, it came with unfitted cissy levers, so you are correct, it has them. Not sure I would fit them, have you?

Wee spin tonight should get me set up right.

Kieran_Burns

Mine came with them fitted - so I had little choice

Check the stem clamp - mine was on back to front. I'd also be interested to see how you have your bars set up - mine are in a very relaxed position and I'm thinking about adjusting them down slightly.

You're going to enjoy the bike - it's pretty quick and very predictable with its handling. Smooth as well, soaks up bumps beautifully

Wallace1492

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Check the stem clamp - mine was on back to front.

You mean seat post stem clamp? didn't know there was a right or wrong way....

Incidentally, got 4 spacer type rubber things with it, what are they for? 2 are marked 4 Degrees, 2 are marked 8 Degrees? Been so long I have bopught a new bike. Feels good.

biondino

Wallace1492 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Check the stem clamp - mine was on back to front.

You mean seat post stem clamp? didn't know there was a right or wrong way....

Incidentally, got 4 spacer type rubber things with it, what are they for? 2 are marked 4 Degrees, 2 are marked 8 Degrees? Been so long I have bopught a new bike. Feels good.

Cross brake levers are brilliant - I have them on my Trek roadie and they're so useful for commuting. Definitely fit them - it's a Tricross, it's heavy enough that you won't notice the difference

Kieran_Burns

Wallace1492 wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Check the stem clamp - mine was on back to front.

You mean seat post stem clamp? didn't know there was a right or wrong way....

Incidentally, got 4 spacer type rubber things with it, what are they for? 2 are marked 4 Degrees, 2 are marked 8 Degrees? Been so long I have bopught a new bike. Feels good.

There is a manual you know...

if they are what I think they are, they are for adjusting the bar height

Wallace1492

Aye, but is a generic Specialized Bicycles Owner Manual, not really in depth.

Incidentally, bolt on seat post is at the front. Seems wrong way round, but I do not think it makes any difference.

Kieran_Burns

The bolt should be at the back - if it is at the front it doesn't grip properly, my saddle kept slipping down.

Wallace1492

Just had first ride on The Beast, was great fun, bit strange to be on a drop handelbar again, but got in a small 8 miles tonight after Scotland got thrashed .

Did get the front brake judder, but was braking hard at speed with front only, so if you dont do that should be OK.

Bit strange feel when standing up on it, but guess just need to get used to it, also will change pedals, as prefer clipless, but happy to keep the chunky tyres for now, as they performed well on the rough backroads I rode on.

All in all, a very good start, and happy that the cape fits.... glad I made the jump to the Dark Side. Just need to practice and FEEL THE FORCE.....

Kieran, thanks for tips, and comments, everyone else, thanks for comments, this site has been great to find!! Will try not to post pish but as a newbie I reserve the right to for at least another month!!

Away till Monday, and look forward to catching up when i get back.

itboffin

The pull of CX is very powerful and as i've found it makes the perfect commuter although I'm thinking of swapping the 23c slicks for 25c Roubaix CX

my CX weighs 18lb which I might add is lighter than some Carbon bikes

jonny mags

Just picked up on this thread, the 4 and 8 black spacers are for adjusting the reach of the shimano levers, I have put the 4's in as I have small hands. I had the same issue with the non informative manual, look at the spacers and you will see they are marked LH & RH.

Can anyone recomend a rear rack and front rack for an 09 Tricross sport?

Jonny mags

Wallace1492

jonny mags wrote:

Just picked up on this thread, the 4 and 8 black spacers are for adjusting the reach of the shimano levers, I have put the 4's in as I have small hands. I had the same issue with the non informative manual, look at the spacers and you will see they are marked LH & RH.

Can anyone recomend a rear rack and front rack for an 09 Tricross sport?

Jonny mags

Hi, I fitted a Blackburn Trailtrack to mine. Seems ok, but had slight issue with the stem bolt in the seat stay.

nigeve

I am thinking about one of these as well… I’m currently on an MTB on road tires… Don’t go off road much on my journey but there are some hefty pot holes and speed ramps on the journey…
I am wondering if a road bikes wheels will be up to the task. But I’d definitely prefer something lighter than my old steel MTB…