Specialized Tricross Singlecross

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Craigslist

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anything offroad

Bike Setup:
Salsa Bell Lap bars, Cane Creek levers, 39:18 FSA ring/freewheel, Ritchey Comp wheels, CX S-works clinchers, Avid Shorty 6 brake set.

Summary:
Actually a 2008 but no option for that. I purchased this last minute sue to the fact I wanted to race cross on a single speed this fall to build up some muscle and stay in shape. I've done that. As purchased is came with Shimano wheels stock brakes, and a Sugino messenger crank with 42:18 gearing.
I've since swapped out the wheels for Ritchey comps, replaced the brakes with a Shorty 6 set from Avid, and am running a 39:18 now. I also replaced teh stock brake levers with a Cane Creek set, as I broke one in the first race I ran. Now that I think about it, I also replaced the specialized CX comp tires, with a CX S-Works set.
At $500 I paid too much for this bike as it was but with the upgrades I have probably around $1000 into it so, the value isn't there. That being said, the frame is light, responsive and I like how the flattened horizontal bar sits on my shoulder during run ups.
If you can get ahold of one of these for a few hundred it's a great frame. I have two other frames now, a steel VoodDoo and a Redline. This is my favorite of the three. I also like the fork, I've had in out on the pavement a few times and it seems to absorb shock as promised by Specialized, but who knows. Maybe it's all in my head.
In summary: This is a great single speed frame set, better than many in its class that cost a bit more $$. The stock components are sub par especially for the MSRP, so look at this as a frame set purchase and it's actually a great value.

Strengths:
Frame: Fork--Look at this as a frame set purchase and it's actually a great value.

Weaknesses:
The stock components from specialized are sub par, especially for the price. Stock saddle is OK for cross but i wouldn't commute on it.

Similar Products Used:
many many many

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Used

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Changed brakes to standard cantilever. Added top cross bar brake levers. Different wheels. Shorter stem.

Summary:
Good frame--rides and handles nice. Decent components except V-brakes, which aren’t made to use with standard drop handlebars. And there aren’t any barrel adjusters. The Shimano freewheel is also crap. The wheels need truing within 100 miles. And in reality, though this is a decent bike, if bought new, it costs too much for what it is. It makes no sense that single speed bikes should cost as much or more than a comparable multi-speed bike—but his is true with many SS bikes, not just this one.
Anyway, I changed the brakes to standard cantilever brakes. This was much better. And I added top cross bar levers which also included barrel adjusters. This was better for riding in traffic as I could brake form the top bar—and the barrel adjusters help when adjusting the brakes. The Shimano freewheel started clanking and banging and sounding like it would explode soon after I got the bike, so I replaced it with a different brand. It has been fine since. I bent a rim, so I bought better wheels (Formula hubs, Mavic rims). This was better too, but that should be expected because they cost more. They roll better, but I wouldn’t have replaced the wheels had I not bent one.
Overall, I really like this bike. I use it to ride to work over roads and gravel trails. But at the price it is just an average bike with decent components. Plus the stock brakes are a stupid choice. V-brakes and standard drop bar brake levers don’t play well together. There is a cable boss on the rear for cantilever brakes which looks really stupid with the V-brakes because it isn’t used with them, and both brake cables are already cut with spacers where the cross bar brakes would go. My guess is that Specialized designed this bike for cantilever brakes, but they had a bunch of V-brakes sitting around, to they put them on the bike instead.
And what is with the color? Camouflage colors—why is everyone making hard-to-see bikes? I ride in traffic. I want an easy to see bike—maybe bright red with shiny wheels! Of course color is a matter of opinion.
Anyway, as this is really only an average bike that costs more than it should--with a goofy brake set-up, wheels that need truing too soon, and a junk freewheel, I give the bike only an average rating: three. But really, it’s a good bike once you work the bugs out. But you shouldn’t have to work the bugs out at the price.
By the way, I bought this bike used for $400. I couldn’t tell it from new. The original purchaser apparently didn't like single speeding after he tried it for about 20 miles. And the bike is the dull green and black, 2008 model.

Strengths:
Frame. Overall fun ride.

Weaknesses:
Brakes, freewheel, price if bought new.

Similar Products Used:
Langster. Redline Monocog. The Singlecross is what you get if you breed the Langster to the Monocog.