Alternatives to Specialized Tricross

Brocade

Folks,
What is the alternative to the Specialized Tricross ? I would like a road bike with rack and mudguard fittings. Preferably a bike with cyclo cross geometry.
Thanks in advance

markos1963

Kenisis Crosslight is a good place to start. My son has a 3T model built up with straight bars and some basic equipment but its a very tough and nice ride.

Brocade

Thanks, will look into that.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Ridley Crossbow as an alternative ?

APIII

Kinesis crosslight 5T. I've got one and it's great VFM.

Brocade

This has braze-ons for a rear rack and panniers, and eyelets for mudguards ?

tigerben

I have a similar search requirements- best options appear to be the Ribble Audax (if you want a built bike) or getting one of the Audax frames from Bob Roberts and building yourself (although I assume that Bob Roberts could probably build the bike for you if required).

I do not think either of these bikes are propert CX bikes - although i believe both can take a 28 mm tyre.

My other option is getting the Cannondale CX9 - the only issus there is that it does not have the braze on's for a rack - although I understand there are work around solutions.

Personally I am probably going for the Bob Roberts.

Why do you not like the Tricross? (apart from the bad colour scheme and ugly fork)

APIII

Brocade wrote:

This has braze-ons for a rear rack and panniers, and eyelets for mudguards ?

Yes, the frame has all the mountings. I chose the carbon cross fork though which doesn't have eyelets, but Kinesis have other forks in their range that do.

keef66

If you're not actually planning to use it for cyclo cross you could try a Kinesis racelight T2 or TK2. Both take 25mm tyres, caliper brakes and have clearance / eyelets for mudguards and have rack mountings.

willharris10

Also consider the Scott CX and CX Team. Though no rack mounts on them.

And the Condor Bivio. I just bought one second hand. Has rack mounts, carbon seat stays and carbon fork.

Specialised Tricross is by far the best value of all the Cyclocross bikes though and has all the mounting points you could ever need. Not necessarily the "best" cyclocross bike, Id guess that goes to either the Cannondale CX9 or the Scott CX Team and above.

Brocade

Folks,
Many thanks for all this advice, much appreciated. In response to an earlier question, I do like the Specialized Tricross but already have one so was looking for something a bit different.
Thanks

wiffachip

bianchi d2 axis, but not if you live anywhere near Newcastle

cooper.michael1

Ive got a planet x uncle john, a great bike, at a great price. They often have offers on at under £1000 with ultegra, I built mine with veloce and it is smooth as butter.

I considered the tricross, but the colours were ugly at the time and the triple chainset with a MTB rear cassette seemed excessive. The Planet x has similar geometry, nice and relaxed for road riding, and long distance touring.

Beware with the ridleys etc..they are pur cross race bikes and the headtubes are very short. Some even come without bottle braze ons, as they a designed for 45min cross racing.