So where does a CX bike come in the FCN

Kieran_Burns · October 2008

Actually this is just an excuse to talk about me wanting to buy a Specialized Tricross Sport Triple...

My road bike is slowly dying with the commute at the moment. I don't think a Carrera Gryphon is designed with pot-holed roads and bridleways in mind.

I've looked at the CX bikes and reckon these are my my best bet, and the Sport Triple looks great.

The only issue I have is that I'll have to get a Minoura space grip to get room for the lights, bell and cycle comp as it's a bit busy on the bars!

So... what WOULD the FCN of that bike be? Given that it would end up with panniers and mudguards on

and could someone talk me out of buying it? :?

giltkid · October 2008

I was looking at one of the regular ones yesterday - feels quite heavy imo, maybe the Sport is lighter?

Kieran_Burns · October 2008

Compared to my Carrera ANYTHING is light

Stuck on a Giant · October 2008

Well, Mrs G and both have one, bought initially for touring and they are great - a good range of gears, occaisionally the gap between gears is a bit big, as it's an MTB rear cassette but it does mean you can ride up pretty much anything fully loaded, but not run out of gears at the other end when riding light.

Mrs G commutes on hers and it's much better over the potholes etc than her road bike with 23mm tyres.

Why not get a computer that will go on the stem, and you'll still have room for lights on the bars without an extension. Ours came with a bell mounted on the interuptor brakes.

Only slight downside is the wheels/tyres feel heavy compared with Ksyrium SLs, but that's the price for durability and comfort. And the brakes can be hard to set right - the wheel needs to stay true as you can't have much clearance or the levers don't pull enough cable to really work the brakes properly.

As a commuting/touring/do-it-all bike I think it's hard to beat for the money.

Stuck on a Giant · October 2008

Well, Mrs G and both have one, bought initially for touring and they are great - a good range of gears, occaisionally the gap between gears is a bit big, as it's an MTB rear cassette but it does mean you can ride up pretty much anything fully loaded, but not run out of gears at the other end when riding light.

Mrs G commutes on hers and it's much better over the potholes etc than her road bike with 23mm tyres.

Why not get a computer that will go on the stem, and you'll still have room for lights on the bars without an extension. Ours came with a bell mounted on the interuptor brakes.

Only slight downside is the wheels/tyres feel heavy compared with Ksyrium SLs, but that's the price for durability and comfort. And the brakes can be hard to set right - the wheel needs to stay true as you can't have much clearance or the levers don't pull enough cable to really work the brakes properly.

As a commuting/touring/do-it-all bike I think it's hard to beat for the money.

Kieran_Burns · October 2008

SoaG - you're meant to persuade me NOT to get one

Going to have to think carefully about this. I don't want to kill my existing bike just to justify a new one, but it was making some odd noises on the way home last night.

don_don · October 2008

and could someone talk me out of buying it? Confused

No chance, you've already made up your mind, you just don't realise it yet

Its a great commuting/touring bike and particularly good at pulling a trailer if thats your thing.

Go on, buy it, you know we'll all support you here

Harveytile · October 2008

I have a Kona Jake (also a CX bike) complete with panniers, mudguards, etc. I am sorry but for a general work horse these CX's are ace! The CX tyres it came with have just been replaced (due to too many punctures :roll: ) with more suitable road tyres.

The MTB is getting jealous and my missus has started asking questions about the "extra" bike in the shed - small price to pay.

BUY ONE NOW! You won't be disappointed.

PS Back to the OP, still no idea what the FCN is...

Jamey · October 2008

I've got a Tricross Sport Triple 2008 and despite my (well documented) problems I love it to pieces. It's only my second bike but I can still tell that it's a quality item.

Mine also has a rack and mudguards. I commute with two full panniers every day (well, every day I'm not having issues) and it handles very well.

The problems with setting the brakes can be fixed by installing this sort of thing:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/ ... -18060.htm

Now that I have a couple of those I've only got one slight gripe and that's to do with the front mech. In the slackest position it touches the seat tube and will only just shift the chain onto the smallest ring properly. Ideally I'd say it needs another millimetre or two in order to make a really good job of shifting down onto the small ring but (a) it's good enough and (b) I almost never use that ring, although anyone going uphill off-road probably would.

Kieran_Burns · November 2008

Tum te tum...

Guess what will be in my garage tomorrow? 8)

Got Samways to price match UK Cycle Store so was able to pick up a cateye wireless cycle comp for £1

Being built for me to pick up tomorrow afternoon, whereupon I shall bastardise it and turn it into a commuter

cjcp · November 2008

You bugger.

Would love a cross bike.

So where does a CX bike come in the FCN

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