Which Specialized Tricross to go for?

vilbs
vilbs Posts: 3
edited October 2012 in Commuting general
Hi there. I am about to start commuting a fair way to work (30 miles round trip) and also start some light touring. For some reason I have been drawn towards the Specialized Tricross bikes. I will go for a 2012 model to save some money but can anyone recommend which exact bike to go for - I keep on hearing differing opinions over fork shudders on some, weak brakes on others etc;

That's my main question and then 2 others in case someone is feeling particularly helpful!

2. Which lights should I go for as the winter nights are drawing in. I want to be seen as there are some dodgy roads I will be going on but also don't want to take out a mortgage for £200+ lights!
3. I want to try and buy the bike through the Cycle to Work scheme - don't mind online or offline but based on the above any recommendations of shops?

Anyway any help much appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Comments

  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/specialized-t ... 500wt_1204

    I use one of these as a daily hack with everything on it except gears (its SS: 42x16), 'Valencia' bars with Dirt Harry brake levers and fat 35 section road tyres and its just the job.
    Bargain if you can get hold of one. The new ones are getting pricey.
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • hstiles
    hstiles Posts: 414
    Just looked at the Specialized catalogue for the Tricross and I'm not impressed. £1200 for Tiagra spec bike strikes me as v pricey.

    Evans have some good deals on the 2012 Cannondale CAADX.

    For super front light, search for MagicShine. You have lug around a separate battery pack, but boy are they powerful.
  • vilbs
    vilbs Posts: 3
    Thanks for your advice guys. A single speed for me is much too ambitious and regarding the Canondale I really preferred the Tricross.
    In the end I plumped for the disk brake one so have just ordered: Specialized Tricross Sport Disc Cyclocross Bike 2012 with Shimano M520 SPD Mountain Bike Pedals from LeisureLakes. They did it for a good price though no idea how quickly they will deliver - my goodness i'm impatient now! :)
    I haven't ordered any lights yet and the MagicShine do look nice so will do some more research into them.
    Thanks again!
  • Giraffoto
    Giraffoto Posts: 2,078
    Cantilevers aren't so bad, but I'm sure you won't go wrong with discs. For lighting I strongly recommend the LED Lenser P7 torch, with an appropriate handlebar mount such as a combination of the Twofish Lockblock and some cable ties. Get Eneloop batteries for it and keep the spare set inside your coat! Also any of the Cateye multi-LED numbers at the back
    Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
    XM-057 rigid 29er
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    I looked at the 2012 disc tricross but as stated above the vfm is poor and what really put me of is they've gone back to an aluminium fork.
    Bought a Boardman CX - no regrets here.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:
    I looked at the 2012 disc tricross but as stated above the vfm is poor and what really put me of is they've gone back to an aluminium fork.
    Bought a Boardman CX - no regrets here.

    I went through this process and ended up with the Felt F65X (I had it narrowed down to 3 bikes and this one was purdy 8) )
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:
    I looked at the 2012 disc tricross but as stated above the vfm is poor and what really put me of is they've gone back to an aluminium fork.
    Bought a Boardman CX - no regrets here.

    I went through this process and ended up with the Felt F65X (I had it narrowed down to 3 bikes and this one was purdy 8) )

    Yes no argument there, very nice! You converted it to compact as well didn't you?
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:
    I looked at the 2012 disc tricross but as stated above the vfm is poor and what really put me of is they've gone back to an aluminium fork.
    Bought a Boardman CX - no regrets here.

    I went through this process and ended up with the Felt F65X (I had it narrowed down to 3 bikes and this one was purdy 8) )

    Yes no argument there, very nice! You converted it to compact as well didn't you?

    Yup. Very glad I did as well. the 36 inner ring is just too big for my rubbish climbing skills.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • arthur_scrimshaw
    arthur_scrimshaw Posts: 2,596
    :lol:

    I can't talk, the CX has a 34/32 low gear, I can winch my way up just about anything with that :wink:
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:
    :lol:

    I can't talk, the CX has a 34/32 low gear, I can winch my way up just about anything with that :wink:

    I roll out the Tricross then. 30 / 32 I think it is.

    SPINNY!!!
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    KB as a Tri Crosser what do you think of this bike:

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... rt-disc-13
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Initialised wrote:
    KB as a Tri Crosser what do you think of this bike:

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... rt-disc-13

    Erm

    Wow.

    I'd buy that for a roadbike. It's only a Sora Groupset but really, that is not bad at all.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • cookdn
    cookdn Posts: 410
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    Erm

    Wow.

    I'd buy that for a roadbike. It's only a Sora Groupset but really, that is not bad at all.

    Isn't the new 9 speed Sora effectively last years 9 speed Tiagra?
    Boardman CX Team
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    Initialised wrote:
    KB as a Tri Crosser what do you think of this bike:

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... rt-disc-13

    Erm

    Wow.

    I'd buy that for a roadbike. It's only a Sora Groupset but really, that is not bad at all.

    Thought you'd like it! Might get one. Going to see if I can get a look/ride on one at my local Edinburgh shop at the weekend.

    1342089626733-1a8wf3gcuwyft-800-75.jpg

    It might be Sora and mechanical discs but that can change...

    How do you think it stacks up against this Pinacle Arkose http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec039563 and the Boardman Team CX http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710 and the Ridgeback Advance http://www.evanscycles.com/products/rid ... 5#features as they are all around £1k and on my shortlist.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    That Pinnacle???

    How the hell did they get BB7 and 105 for £1000????

    the others are pretty much of a muchness. Nice bikes but nothing outstanding. The pinnacle though.... Where have they compromised on that one....?
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • rubertoe
    rubertoe Posts: 3,994
    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... road-bikes

    what about a focus?

    but for the money it has to be the pinnacle.
    "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

    PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
    B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills

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