First Day on Tricross

Wallace1492

Well, today was day 1 on brand spanking new Specialized Tricross for the commute.
Decent run in, pretty comfortable, not as bumpy as I thought it might be (used to Front sus MTB with slicks) A few gear changes the wrong way, not used to the brake changers yet, but will get tehre in time. Do get a bit of front fork shudder when using front brake, but I got this with old road bike too, simple solution - use back brake, with front only to assist.

Only downside is the strap pedals that come with it, so have ordered Shimano A530 touring pedals.

Time without RLJing was about a minute quicker than on the Kona with RLJing. So a very positive start. It really flew down Maryhill Road.

Very pleased with my purchase, and a superb commuter bike.

Going to try some touring with it too, thinking of Mull in September for a few days.

Harry B

Glad to hear your pleased with the Tricross Wallace. I've been thinkng about one myself for my winter commute but I've got to find a way of convincing the wife that it really is necessary to have 5 bikes :oops: :roll:

The Tricross is excellent value and I think the frame is the same as my Langster?

kev_gray

What a small small world we live in! I just got a new tricross at the weekend and today was also my first commute to work with it! And I have to say it was so much easier that the hardtail with slicks! Also noticed a slight judder on front forks but only the once when i was having to really slam on the anchors going down a gravel hill. Definatly a worthwhile bike for the commute I have to say! But I have now came to hate the pedals also, they are just too fiddly when trying to get away from lights quickly, do you find yours scrape on the ground if you dont get your feet in the clips?

Wallace1492

Harry, go for it!! I now have 3 bikes, so don't feel so bad. It is a great bike.

Kev, wow, that is amazing, what a small world indeed!! Yes, the pedals scrape on the ground, and were a pain to get feet into, I don't know why they put those on, would be better with a choice of what you wanted. I will change as soon as possible to to the A530.

Slight judder in front fork is a known issue with the Tricross, but I think it happens with other carbon forks, and I did used to get it on my old road bike, only happens when braking hard with front brake only, but it is a bit daft just to brake with front only!!

Not much else I would change on the bike.

shoulder_of_orion

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

The front brake is pretty critical for emergency stops.

Kieran_Burns

I didn't even ride my Tricross with the supplied pedals They were straight off and the double sided ones fitted as soon as I got home.

The CX tyres are quite slow as well, so if you think that you're quicker now, get some road tyres and you'll be even quicker. I run Conti City ride 32c - they're bullet proof and pretty damn quick.

Oh, take a look UNDER the bike and find the weirdest place for a bottle mount....

Which size cape did you go for in the end?

Wallace1492

I knew there were 3 bottle mounts and it did take me a while to find the third, but I think it is ingeneious!! Went for large cape, hoping to trade it in for a medium one in due course......

Happy to leave tyres it came with just now, though will change at some point, spending plenty on pedals, cape, spare tubes, new computer, bottle cage(s), micro pump etc etc.

Then need to get lights!!

Jesus, its never ending!

hillrep

Small world indeed. I saw a brand new Tricross going under the canal on the Maryhill Rd this evening.It looked very nice, I'm really quite envious :-)

Eau Rouge

Shoulder of Lamb wrote:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

The front brake is pretty critical for emergency stops.

+1

Specialized Needs

Eau Rouge wrote:

Shoulder of Lamb wrote:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

The front brake is pretty critical for emergency stops.

+1

The Tricross appears to be flavour of the month, and the judder is widely noted. On the sister subforum is this thread:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12639933
which points to a different front brake hanger, costing about £5-7; mentioned later in this thread on CycleChat:
http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=815030
Seems a cheap way to get things working so you can try out front braking

pottssteve

Hi Commuters,

I've also been using the Tricross, since December for leisure and commuting, and I'm happy with it. Deals nicely with the sh*tty HK roads and regular 10% hills. Yes, I've had the judder (mine was largely fixed by keeping the rims clean and braking first on the back brake). I have spd pedals on - better than the straps. I ran the 32mm Borough tyres for a while but have recently switched to Continental 4 seasons 28mm and there is certainly a difference in the ride - smoother and a bit quicker. I find that my ar*e hurts after 30km or so - I'm saving up for a Specialized Toupe Gel saddle to replace the one it came with. I only have one bike, but within my price range I think I made a good choice. Enjoy!

Steve

Bugly

Wallace1492 wrote:

Well, today was day 1 on brand spanking new Specialized Tricross for the commute.
...

Do get a bit of front fork shudder when using front brake, but I got this with old road bike too, simple solution - use back brake, with front only to assist.

.

Bad idea mate. Adjust your brakes by toing in the shoes. Front brakes provide the bulk of your stopping power, rear brakes assist only. If you dont rely on your front brakes as a rule, in an emergency stop more likely then not you will not brake in the shortest distance or with greatest control.... Just like on a mountain bike.

Wallace1492

hillrep wrote:

Small world indeed. I saw a brand new Tricross going under the canal on the Maryhill Rd this evening.It looked very nice, I'm really quite envious :-)

Hillrep, was probably me, was heading up Maryhill Road just before 6pm last night. Taking it easyish.

Wallace1492

Bugly wrote:

Wallace1492 wrote:

Well, today was day 1 on brand spanking new Specialized Tricross for the commute.
...

Do get a bit of front fork shudder when using front brake, but I got this with old road bike too, simple solution - use back brake, with front only to assist.

.

Bad idea mate. Adjust your brakes by toing in the shoes. Front brakes provide the bulk of your stopping power, rear brakes assist only. If you dont rely on your front brakes as a rule, in an emergency stop more likely then not you will not brake in the shortest distance or with greatest control.... Just like on a mountain bike.

Cheers Bugly. Toe'd in the brake shoes (never heard of this till the other day) and bababoom, shudder is now just a minor shake, feels far safer and smoother, and can use the front brake with virtually complete confidence. Guess the pads will wear slightly off kilter, from gentle braking, but think that it won't be a huge problem.

Still trying to come to terms with all the "extras" the new bike requires!!
Replaced pedals.
New lights (ok, could have swapped from Kona, but hey, its new and deserves sexy lights!)
Bottle cage and Micro Pump (1 bottle cage so far, bugger has 3 mounting points!)
Couple of spare tubes.
Considering - Mudguards, rack, panniers, and of course road tyres but they can wait till spring.

Think I have blown my 20% saving on the bike already!!

AndyManc

Tyres are puncture prone, change A.S.A.P , having said that, I've still got mine even though I have got some kevlar slicks waiting to go on, (I hate removing new tyres). :roll:

I'm also using the original pedals/toe-clips, I don't like spd's (and yes they do drag on the road if you don't manage to get them upright), they do (sometimes) give me a sore toe, they don't feel as though they are allowing my foot far enough into the pedal, I might try flats or other toe-clips.

Overall it's a 'nice' bike though not as exceptional as many make out.


.

doog442

agree not exceptional

however it looks nice

toe in the brakes sorts must of the shudder

Ive got shimano spds (520's) and they are fine

SKS guards that rattle but are essential

Replaced the awful original Borough tyres with 25mm hardcase racelites and no issues

Two half watt lights for the rear, petzl head torch strapped to handle bars along with another front light(name escapes me)

Bottle cage from my hardrock

Lezyne micro pump that i usally carry in the rucksack but fits on the bottle cage as well

nigeve

I hate to be the kind of guy that comes on here as a Newbie asking silly questions… But that’s the kinda guy I’ve got to be …lol
Having just returned to serious biking after a good ten year absence can I ask, what exactly is Tricross..?
Is it like a beefy road bike suitable for rough roads and green lanes..? If so it might be just what I need. I’m currently riding to work on my old MTB with slicks but I’m finding it a little slow… I was thinking of a proper road bike but there are a couple of rough roads I cycle along each day and some nasty speed bumps so it sounds like a Tri cross might be the bike for me (if my definition is correct).
Also, since I’m asking daft questions what is sportiff..? (or is it sportive..?)

Many thanks for your tolerance …lol

Wallace1492

Nigeve, a Tricross is a Specialized bike for Cyclecross. They are sturdier than true road bikes, have chunkier tyres and slightly longer wheel base. They are pretty good at light off road cycling (no suspention) good in some mud and canal path type terrain.

Like you I was commuting on a MTB with slicks and wanted to upgrade. I had thought about a hybrid as I still wanted ability to do some light offroad, so a true roadie was maybe out of the question.

I am on my first week on the Tricross and think it fits the bill perfectly. Not as fast as a road bike, but much faster than MTB, also it fits the bill for off road (not done much but what I have doen it performed well) and also fits the bill for some touring as will take rack and apnniers easily.

All in all, I could not have got a better bike. It and my MTB should fit all my cycling needs.

Kieran_Burns

nigeve wrote:

I hate to be the kind of guy that comes on here as a Newbie asking silly questions… But that’s the kinda guy I’ve got to be …lol
Having just returned to serious biking after a good ten year absence can I ask, what exactly is Tricross..?
Is it like a beefy road bike suitable for rough roads and green lanes..? If so it might be just what I need. I’m currently riding to work on my old MTB with slicks but I’m finding it a little slow… I was thinking of a proper road bike but there are a couple of rough roads I cycle along each day and some nasty speed bumps so it sounds like a Tri cross might be the bike for me (if my definition is correct).
Also, since I’m asking daft questions what is sportiff..? (or is it sportive..?)

Many thanks for your tolerance …lol

Get out of here with your God damn' newbie questions!!! I dunno.. come on here....

We're talking about the Specialized Tricross Sport:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... t-09-33640

As said, not an outstanding bike, but a very good one - entirely suited for what I do on my commute

Wallace1492

Anotther convert for the Dark Side? Better get a new container load of capes ordered!!

HopOff\'\'n\'Walk

Hey, another one here for one of your capes.

Just had my first outing on the new Tricross today. Superb! Far more comfy than the old roadbike - after 26 miles I had none of the aches and pains that I've been used to. I think the more upright position, whilst still having all the options that the drops offer, is going to be a Godsend. It's lighter than my old roadbike, too, which is a nice. Being able to change gears whilst on the drops (previously I had a Sora equipped bike) was great. A little slower on the flat and on the descents, sure, but I put that down to the tyres. I might have to change them for something not quite so wide, but I don't want to lose that comfort factor. At my age that was a crucial element of chossing this bike for - as the old songs says, I'm built for comfort not speed.

Actually, having said it was slower, overall it wasn't because today I was riding up hills that previous I'd had to walk up, so my overall time was exactly the same as last time I tried Hop-Off's "Three Climbs" challenge. That triple and huge cassette is great for a poor climber like me. I got up the old Birdlip hill, which I've never done before, and though it wasn't easy there wasn't a single moment when I thought I'd not make it. So, 26 miles and 2800 feet of climbing and a big grin. Some of the road surfaces around the Cotswold lanes are pretty rough, too, loads of potholes and gravel and horsesh@t and subsidence. The Tricross handled it all beautifully. Maybe Monday I'll take her along the towpath, which will open up a whole new set of backroads routes. Previously my fillings fell out when I tried the canal.

I tried to replicate the brake judder everyone talks about and only managed it when braking really hard. Even on the steep narrow descent into one of the villages with both brakes full on I couldn't get it to shake. Maybe in the wet it'll be more noticable. Have to agree the stopping power isn't as strong as other bikes I've tried, but with a bit anticpation it's no problem.

Overall, I'm delighted. I just want to go out and ride, and ride again, and that says it all. For someone who's not fast, but enjoys longer distances on backroads and lanes, likes the challenge of hills but hates failing to get up them, wants to be able to carry a bit of luggage, and most of all, not feel like one's been riding the Mare Of Steel (see The Long Ships) then it's a great bike. Well, that's Day One's conclusion anway. In time, I may miss the sheer speed on descents of the pure roadbike (there was never any sheer speed on the flat with me!), but I think this is a great buy - especially given it was the 2009 Sport with 20% off as the 2010 models are now out.

Hey ho!
Hop

biondino

So you're buying a heavy bike with limited manoeuvrability and then changng the tyres to slicks and having problems with the cantilever brakes... have any of you considered a road bike?

jimmygster

I've been commuting on a TriCross Comp for more than a year. I even rode through a harsh Canadian winter - and it continues to perform like a champ.

You will continue to get front fork judder with the brake. You'll learn to control it as you've already suggested - by using your rear brake more and your front as the assist. Trust me. I learned to brake that way riding on snow and ice - it works better. Toeing in only helps for awhile. At last year's cyclocross championships, most of the bikes from all brands did this, and all of the riders I asked gave the same advice


Enjoy your bike. I think the TriCross Comp is the best bike out there for commuting - period, and I'm sure the Sport is also great.

doog442

biondino wrote:

So you're buying a heavy bike with limited manoeuvrability and then changng the tyres to slicks and having problems with the cantilever brakes... have any of you considered a road bike?

Im sure most people look at their respective commute and decide on a suitable bike. My commute includes 6 miles of trailway every day plus 12 miles road and despite the fact the slicks cope the bike still gets hammered. I would hate to inflict this punishment on a road bike which in addition may struggle to take full mud guards / panniers.

Also the supplied wheels have more spokes than the average road bike to cope with trails etc and an element of shock absortion in the forks which a road bike doesnt have.

If i had a road bike I would need two, summer and a ribble for a winter hack. With the tricross I just need one bike.

so there

will3

Regarding the brake judder thing, can I strongly suggest you get the Kona KF front hanger and do the mod?
I have a Genesis Vapour, Lovely bike, but mine suffered from fork judder. This could be easily dialed out by toeing in the pads, bt then of course they wear and before you know it the judder's back. Checking the headset wasn't loose also helped, but in the end it always needed attention to get rid of the judder and careful braking. After living with this for a year and a bit, I had one too many difficulties with emergency stops, so got the kona part. Problem seems to have gone away and I can now apply the brakes with the confidence that the bars are not about to be ripped from my hands.
It was always when you most needed the brakes that they would be least cooperative with the juddering!
I note that Genesis seem to have included this mod in the 2010 Vapour

Big Wib

Just done the C2C on a Tricross (with the original tyres) and no problems. Only the one puncture, right at the end - only noticed it as I rode away from the finish

Great bike, coped with me & 2 paniers, but just the two water bottles , did the off road route down from the Whinlatter Pass much to the amazement of people on MTBs. Was chatting to a bloke who'd upgraded to a Kona and was largely regretting it.

richardvaltos

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I didn't even ride my Tricross with the supplied pedals They were straight off and the double sided ones fitted as soon as I got home.


Oh, take a look UNDER the bike and find the weirdest place for a bottle mount....

Errr, I'm pretty sure these are Crud Catcher mounts chaps. :shock:

Oh, and on the brake judder issue, I've been going nuts with this for months, oh the rage. Anyway, after a particular near miss I've put on the fork mounted hanger and changed to Tektro CR720s and it's been transformed. I'm sending the bill to Genesis mind you.

Wallace1492

richardvaltos wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I didn't even ride my Tricross with the supplied pedals They were straight off and the double sided ones fitted as soon as I got home.


Oh, take a look UNDER the bike and find the weirdest place for a bottle mount....

Errr, I'm pretty sure these are Crud Catcher mounts chaps. :shock:

Oh, and on the brake judder issue, I've been going nuts with this for months, oh the rage. Anyway, after a particular near miss I've put on the fork mounted hanger and changed to Tektro CR720s and it's been transformed. I'm sending the bill to Genesis mind you.

Defintely not crud catcher mounts, they are for a third water bottle.

MadammeMarie

So, I see that the new models still have the fork shudder. I got the 2008 model, and spent so much money and time on the brakes, until I read about it on the net! Got mini-v brakes now, no shudder.

And yes, it's a great bike, good value for money, rides like a dream! Best £700 I ever spent!

richardvaltos

Right, I've been out to the garage, cleaned up the bike and had a good look. I found a loose mudguard, and bolts undeneath the downtube for a crud catcher, nothing else. Therefore, we've either got different frames, mine's a 2009 56cm vapour, or you're wrong :twisted:

I'd just like to add that I'm I'm not trying to be a dick or pee anyone off. I'm now just puzzled. Not that it really matters i suppose......

Edit: OOOOOOOOkay I'm a dick. I've reread the above posts. The third bottle mount is on the Tricross right? I on the other hand now have a clean Genesis Vapour with a tight rear mudguard, and more scratches than I previously realised.

I now wish I'd bought the Tricross as clearly I'm the kind of person that 3 bottle mounts really matters to.... oh ffs, I'll shut up and put the foot back in.

will3

My vapour is 2008 and has teh crud catcher mounts also,and yes it's very tight to get a mudguard and a reasonable large tyre on.

Happy to report that 1000 miles after fiitting the brake hanger thing, still no judder. Yay