Specialized tricross sport

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2007

Summary:
It's a fun bike, but be careful if you're not an expert. It's a very balanced, light bike, you'll find it lifting off without hesitation. I have two bikes, this one and a 25 year old comfortable around town clunker with terrible brakes. Going down a hill with this bike you can contrast the drawbacks of grabby (front) brakes, one broken arm later. Also, for larger persons, the front fork actions aren't confidence inspiring in general.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at WheelFast in Chatham

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock, with the change to a 28mm smooth road tire.

Summary:
I already have a nice road bike, and a single speed, but for the wet winters in Portland, OR I thought this would be nice to commute on. So far so good. With the exception of MASSIVE brake shudder on rough roads. The bike is completely stock minus a tire change to a 28 smooth road tire. The bike is on the heavy side, but I don't need a light bike just to ride to work, and the gearing (11-34, and a triple up front) means it will go up just about any hill you can find. One minor complaint, the chain stays do not seem to be long enough to accommodate a rack and panniers without my heels hitting them. So loaded touring may be out of the question on this bike. I'm not sure I would want to tour on an aluminum bike anyway. More on the brake shudder...I first had the stock brakes adjusted, tried new pads, and even new rims ( had a set of mavic cxp 23's around anyway, and no change. I then went to paul neo retros all around, maybe not the best idea. They are SUPER strong, but that actually made it a bit worse. It is most noticeable on fast downhills, and rough roads. The two combined have become a scary situation for me being that I love on top of long steep hill that is also a rough paved road. Not fun at 7am in the morning. But I can deal. Not sure what the fix will be, other than a new front fork. I have a feeling that is where the issue is.

Strengths:
Stiff, for the most part. Good reliable stock set up, no need to really upgrade. Comfortable.

Weaknesses:
Short-ish chain stays, bar tape/gel pads(I prefer fizik tape with no extra padding), and the MASSIVE brake shudder.

Similar Products Used:
No other cross bikes used, but I have a Giant Bowery, and a S-works allez.

Price Paid:  $999.00 at Bicycle Village, CO

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Cherry Creek trail up to Castle Rock

Bike Setup:
105 rear der, durace 11-2? cassette, neuvation m28 Aero's and garmin Forerunner.

Summary:
I have the 2008 model, got it on clearance. They had the white or the blue one, both at 58cm. Looked around for some time, finally narrowed it down finaly by going into stores. Wanted the Fuji Comp with better components from Performance for less, but they never returned my calls or gave me much attention. B.V. was very friendly and they had 3K bikes on display so I could pick and choose from 1/2 a dozen of the 2008 models. Not dissapointed, its sluggish on the streets because of the stock wheels and 32c tires. only have 200 miles on it no problems what so ever.

Strengths:
Takes a beating from me, I'm 220lbs. I like the tripple over compact, not a strong rider and like having options when climbing. Have hit 39mph going downhill no brake shudder with stock wheels. I have 2nd set of wheels, with 23c tires that I want to try soon. It is my first real road bike sort of, and suprises a lot of real road bikes when I can catch up to them on a cross bike, of course the new wheels help.

Weaknesses:
Components, the LX der common, the mountain cassette. The stock wheels are terrible, as are stock canti brakes. I have bought a 2nd set of neuvation aero wheels that make a big diff with durace cassette and 105 rear deraillure. Brakes are next to be replaced, only because I have to readjust them each time I swap wheels from commutter to touring wheels.

Similar Products Used:
Old shwinn fastback that I donated, my GT avalanche that I converted for commuting, after 1000 miles I wanted something faster.

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Pedal and Powder at

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Over the hill and through the woods

Bike Setup:
Added SPD pedals, Garmin 305, Niterider lights, Planet Bike Cascadia touring fenders. Everything else is stock.

Summary:
I bought a 2008 Tricross because I wanted an all around, go anywhere, winter bike for Colorado. Bought it on clearance and I got lots more than I paid for. Rides well on dirty winter streets and I am having a blast connecting all the dirt roads together around my town. The components LX rear and Tigra triple front work well, Tiaga shifters working well, and I have yet to experience any braking shudder. It may be because my Tricross came with mini v brakes and not canti's as spec'd. Put fenders on and had to replace the front bolt for a longer one to get them to fit. All in all a blast to ride, smoother than I expected. I would definitely buy it again.

Strengths:
Great do it all bike, keeps up with my roadie buddies with a 50-11, climbs like a goat with a 34t cog in the rear. Great on dirt roads and buff singletrack. Ton of fun.

Weaknesses:
Rear fender mounts full of paint. Tough to get fenders on. Needed longer mount bolt for front fender because of fork depth. Had to modify front fender bracket to clear mini v brakes.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Volpe, Lemond Poprad Disc, Surly Cross Check

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at Revolution Bikes

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
hills and views

Bike Setup:
Stock, with SPD pedals, but upgrading brake pads soon.

Summary:
Good all around bike for the rough roads and steep hills here in the Virgin Islands. I wanted something with more top end than a mountain bike, but tough enough to go off road when necessary. I had wanted to go up the range, but the sport model with the triple ring better suits my abilities and the local terrain.

Strengths:
Bullet proof construction and really low gearing makes steep climbs reasonable, 50-11 top end keeps me rolling with the street bikes on the flats.

Weaknesses:
Needed to fine tune brake pads to eliminate scary front end brake shudder on heavy decents. I kept pulling stems thru wheels until I used tape as a spacer.