Carrera Crossfire 3 Hybrid Bike vs Specialized 2014 Crosstra

liquid9

Hi guys,

Total beginner here.

Please help me pick between Carrera Crossfire 3 Hybrid Bike and Specialized 2014 Crosstrail.

The Specialized 2014 Crosstrail Sport Disc Hybrid looks nicer, and appears to be higher spec. But is it worth the £100 extra?

Many thanks in advance

Specs are as follows:
CARRERA
Approximate Weight (KG): 13.8kg
Brake Type: Mechanical Disc Brakes
Forks: Suntour NVX-HLO 700c Suspension fork damped with lockout
Frame Material: Alloy
Gender: Mens
Number of Gears: 24
Suspension: Front Suspension
Wheel Size: 700c
Cassette: 11-32T
Chainset: SRAM E450 3.0
Front Brake: Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brake
Front Hub: Alloy with QR
Front Mech: Shimano FD-M310
Gear Shifters: SRAM X4 trigger shifters
Geometry: Comfort/Leisure
Headset: Semi integrated
Pedals: Wellgo Alloy pedals
Quick Release Front Wheel: Yes
Quick Release Rear Wheel: Yes
Rear Brake: Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brake
Rear Hub: Alloy with QR
Rear Mech: SRAM X4
Rims: Double wall alloy rims
Saddle: Carrera
Seatpost: Carrera 350mm x 27.2mm black alloy
Stem: Alloy
Type: Hybrid Bikes
Tyres: CST multi surface tyres


SPECIALIZED
FRAME - Specialized A1 Premium Aluminium, w/ mudguard/rack braze-ons, forged dropouts, kickstand mount
FORK - SR Suntour NEXi Coil, aluminium lower, custom integrated fork crown, mechanical lockout, 60mm travel
HEADSET - 1-1/8" FSA Ahead, semi-integrated, 8mm cone spacer
STEM - Alloy, 4-bolt, 10-degree rise, 25.4mm clamp
HANDLEBARS - Specialized riser bar, alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 25mm rise, 25.4mm
GRIPS - Specialized Body Geometry XCT, dual compound, lock-on
FRONT BRAKE - Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, dual piston, 160mm rotor
REAR BRAKE - Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, dual piston, 160mm rotor
BRAKE LEVERS - Tektro Draco, hydraulic lever
FRONT DERAILLEUR - Shimano Acera
REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano Acera, 9-speed
SHIFT LEVERS - Shimano SL-M390, Rapidfire
CASSETTE - Shimano, 9-speed, 11-32
CHAIN - KMC X9
CRANKSET - SR Suntour XCR, 9-speed, square spindle, w/ chainguard
CHAINRINGS - 48/36/26, w/ chainguard
BOTTOM BRACKET - Cartridge bearings, square spindle, capless bolts
PEDALS - Composite plastic body, loose ball, w/ reflectors
RIMS - Alloy double-wall, 32h
FRONT HUB - Disc, double-sealed, dual-lock nuts w/ 19mm contact side, steel axle w/ Semi RLCA steel QR
REAR HUB - Disc, double-sealed, loose ball, dual-lock nuts w/ 19mm contact side, QR
FRONT TYRE - Specialized Trigger Sport, 60TPI, wire bead, 700x38c
REAR TYRE - Specialized Trigger Sport, 60TPI, wire bead, 700x38c
INNER TUBES - Standard Schrader valve
SADDLE - Body Geometry Targa Sport, steel rails, 155mm
SEATPOST - Alloy, 2-bolt, 12.5mm offset, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER - Alloy, 31.8mm

The Rookie

The Carrera has a much better fork with damping, but the spesh has better gearing.

For a road commuter I wouldn't pick either though, you don't need the weight and power sapping effects, rigid is a much better idea unless you are talking really rough roads?