Specialized Tricross - other similar bikes?

Mr Plum

I'm looking for a bike that's suitable for doing some touring with but I don't want an out and out tourer. I'd quite like something I can use for some good general road riding after i've finished with the touring - a 1 off 'end to end' ride. I got some great advice from Rayment cycles in Brighton about the type of bike I should be looking for and they recommended the Tricross due to its larger tires and stronger frame being suitable for riding along gravely cycle paths and its general strength for a heavy rack. I'm just wondering what else is out there from other manufacturers that's similar? I had originally considered a Specialized Secture but the guy I spoke to advised against this for the purpose of the tour, although it would be more fun to ride after... Could I get 32mm or 36mm tires on the Secture?

mrushton

Planet X Uncle John or a Surly frame?

Marcus_C

I'm looking at getting a cx bike at the moment and there are a surprising amount of choices out there if you have a reasonable budget, some names that have crossed my search are: Genesis Vapour/croix de fer, Kona Jake, Bianchi D2, Giant tcx. There is quite a lack of any budget options as most of those are about £800 but there is the Revolution cross from edinburgh bicycle. I havent ridden any of these yet, they're just some of the ones i've come across, also i'm specifically looking for one's with drop bars. Most manufacturer's seem to have a bike of this style in their range.

calvjones

If you're at all swayed by looks (I am) the Croix de Fer looks a million percent better than a Tricross.

cougie

+1 for the PX Uncle John

Phate

Spesh have also released another crosser for 2011, the Crux which looks rather nice tbh!

Mr Plum

Cheers for the advice guys. The Uncle John looks great and pretty much ideal but the complete bike from Planet X is slightly out of my budget - im probably looking at spending about 650 tops. I'll have a look at a few of the other ones mentioned.
The Tricross was recommended due to its versatility; it's not a road bike, it's not a 'cross bike, it's a compromise of both...

Phate

Mr Plum wrote:

Cheers for the advice guys. The Uncle John looks great and pretty much ideal but the complete bike from Planet X is slightly out of my budget - im probably looking at spending about 650 tops. I'll have a look at a few of the other ones mentioned.
The Tricross was recommended due to its versatility; it's not a road bike, it's not a 'cross bike, it's a compromise of both...

For that budget you should have a look at the Revolution Cross
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=12407&f_SupersetQRY=C438&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018341

jomoj

a couple of chaps at work have the tricross and while there's nothing much wrong with it as such, it just seems a bit bloated for its intended multi-purposes.

The croix de fer is indeed very pretty but its also expensive and on the heavy side, but I'd agree with Phate that the edinburgh rev cross is worth a look

Alumin-Liam

I like my Tricross but I don't love riding it in the same way I love my road bike.

On the other hand it is bomb proof - I have rode the hell out of it for four years or more and it's still going strong. Not many original parts now but nothing failed prematurely either - it just wore out as bike bits do.

I do more miles on the Tricross than the other bike because it's so versatile. I do club runs, commute, touring and all my winter riding on it - so I have had great value out of the bike.

The one thing that really annoys me about the Tricross and 'cross bike in general is that cantilever brakes take a lot more fettling to keep sharp. Callipers are so much nicer to use.