Specialized Tricross Sport Triple

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at Total Rush Melbourne

Model Year:
1999 or older

Bike Setup:
Stock so far though I will be adding Panniers for touring and maybe buy a tourer rear wheel for my clydesdale weight

Summary:
Triple CX alumnium with bosses for front and rear panniers. Designed for a sports CX race bike or a tourer.
Perfect bike for commuting on in rain and dodgy bike paths. Ended up getting this bike as there are very few CX bikes in Australia and my LBS has a 58 I could try before getting in a 61cm

Strengths:
Got the bike on special
Has a strong wheelset for a Clydesdale and for commuting
has bosses for front and rear panniers for touring
Specialised components
Zertz Carbon forks
carbon wrapped seatpost
Comes with 'crosstop' cx brakes
Sexy toptube

Weaknesses:
Square taper (old school) BB
Triple Crankset
Specialised components
MTB gearing
Cantilever brakes (just need to be tuned properly)

Similar Products Used:
Specialised Allez Elite (roadie)

Price Paid:  $1250.00

Favorite Ride:
any (road)

Bike Setup:
Rear rack with bag for commuting Cateye Mity 8, SPD's

Summary:
Bought a 2009 model about a month ago.I did not love it at first until I got dialed in fit-wise. Now I really like it. I use it to commute a couple of times a week and for fitness rides. It's very comfy and fairly fast for a heavier bike. I put a rear rack on with a trunk bag that has some zip down side storage. This adds some weight, but carries all I need.
I like the "tweener"feel of the bike. I have the speed and hand positions and feel of a roads bike, but not ll that aggressive geometry.
It is flat where I live , so I really don't need the small ring, but otherwise the gearing is nice. I like the 50T big ring. Also, Specialized included alot of the things that I would have added like the brake levers on the flats of the handlebars and even a chain keeper to prevent the chain from over shifting if using the little ring. The adjustable stem has helped me figure out positions too.
It's is not a road racing bike and it is not a mountain bike. Buy it for fitness rides, commutes, centuries, and the such. It is perfect for that type of riding.

Strengths:
Comfortable ride, lots of braze-ons to set it up like a commuter or touring bike, lots of extras. Nice looking.

Weaknesses:
Not much toe to front wheel clearance, but only a problem if doing a u-turn.
Saddle is a little hard. I might upgrade, but I think my arse is getting used to it.

Similar Products Used:
None