Specialized 1999 Crossroads Ultra

Price Paid:  $150.00 at used

Favorite Ride:
Crossroads Ultra

Summary:
It's a great bike for commuting or long rides. It is capable of fairly high speed cruising and with the mountain gearing it does well on hills.

Strengths:
Economical, Agile, & Durable. Has Brazeons and V-Brakes

Weaknesses:
Heavy and Outdated components though good.

Price Paid:  $480.00 at BikeSource

Bike Setup:
Original stock configuration, with the following exceptions: Specialized Body Geometry Comfort saddl

Summary:
I have logged nearly 6,000 miles on my Crossroads Ultra since July 1999, and I have nothing but praise for it! Definitely not your "run-of-the-mill hybrid," this quick and responsive workhorse of a bike still handles as well today as it did three years ago. The suspension stem and seatpost add comfort features to the Crossroads, making it an excellent commuter/fitness/recreational bike. The Comfort Plush saddle is great for short rides, but a bit too soft for rides lasting longer than 45-60 minutes. The Nexave rapid-fire shifters are very nice, and both the shifting and the braking are very good. Despite being relatively heavy, and having a smaller, mountain bike crankset and drivetrain, the Crossroads can ride very fast with reasonable effort. What you might lack in pure speed, however, is made up by the bike's overall strength and efficiency. The Crossroads has proven to be quite durable, too. I had to replace the pedals and a worn bottom bracket after the first year (2000 miles or so). Other than several instances of broken spokes involving the rear wheel, I have had no need to replace any other components ever since. The bike's Nimbus EX tires have lasted me an average of 1500-2000 miles.

Strengths:
1. Durable, strong, and reliable.
2. Very comfortable ride.
3. Very good shifting and braking.
4. Great value.
5. Specialized reputation and quality.
6. The frame is a keeper.
7. This bike is simply gorgeous!

Weaknesses:
1. A bit heavy.
2. Only available in dark green.
3. Water bottle bosses on seat tube too low, which allows bottle (or rechargeable battery pack) to rub against down tube.

Price Paid:  $450.00

Favorite Ride:
Paved rural countryside

Bike Setup:
Lots of good stuff all coming together to effectively combine comfort and performance. "RideRight" handlbar suspension, Shimano Nexave gears and interface, and an ultra-modern Specialized seat that is both comfortable... and nicely offsets the "cruiser" styling.

Summary:
A hybrid in the best sence of the word. Rugged enough to handle unchallenging off-road... but primarily a street /touring bike. Don't let the "cruiser" styling fool you... this is a very agile machine that has this middle-aged daddy riding effortlessly for hours at a clip on very hilly country roads. A great all-around bike for someone who wants "quality" without breaking the bank.

Strengths:
Responsive, effortless ride and handling. Flawless push-button shifting. An incredible feeling of confidence and comfort.

Weaknesses:
Retro styling is a little too reminicent of the dorky "clunkers" of the '50's... but it grows on you. Otherwise superb workmanship marred by several minor paint defects.

Similar Products Used:
A garage full of old english10-speeds and 2 AutoBikes". This bike is unlike anything I've ever riden.

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
Road.High pressure NimbusEX(Specialized 100psi.Great tires)wellgo pedals.

Summary:
I would buy this bike again,it is strong & dependable. A few upgrades will make this bike excellent.A great commuter bike or all-around bike.

Strengths:
I actually own a 1998 crossroads elite.good components,strong frame,nice paint

Weaknesses:
the pedals are crap,get some all-metal or clip-ins.If you are a big person(230lb.)better upgrade to 14ga.spokes.If you plan to ride in all weather,maybe a better chain too.The front chainrings don't shift too well,maybe its the derailler(nexave)

Similar Products Used:
None

Favorite Ride:

street

Bike Setup:

Cinelli Heavy Duty MTB stem; alloy North Road Bend handlebars; worn-out Brooks B-72 Saddle; Vittoria Courier TT Tyres (32 front, 35 rear)Drivetrain:
Campy Victory Cranks and rear derailleur (no f. derailleur)
Suntour XC Pro friction shifters
nashbar SPD pedalsbrakes:
f. Suntour Powerassist cantilevers
r. sturmey-archer drum hub
levers: 80's dia-compebritish racing green paint

Summary:
Run-of-the mill Hybrid can be turned into nice-looking, old-school bike. And the girls love it.

Strengths:

Adaptable frame

Weaknesses:

Must remove all stock components, and paint different color

Similar Products Used:

no similar products exist