Picking up a Tricross Sport on Sat

[rosscbrown]

Howdy all, after a number of months cycling about on a thirty something year old (borrowed) road bike I've decided to buy a 2010 Tricross Sport by Specialized from the Edinburgh Bike Co-op. I'm so excited, can't wait to pick it up on Saturday.

To pass the time between now and then I've been looking at accessories like locks and lights. Here's what I'm thinking:

Lock - Kryptonite Evolution Mini 14cm Bike D Lock - I've heard these are pretty good and this should be alright on the mean streets of Edinburgh. At the vesy least it satisfies the needs/wants of my Insurance Company. Q: In terms of size, would I be better off with a slightly larger one or is this one large enough to use without many issues?

Lock - Kryptonite KryptoFlex 7 Foot Cable Bike Lock - To secure the otherwise unlocked wheel and possibly saddle. So start I'll use this in conjunction with the D lock but going forward I'd like to get an additional padlock to secure this as to benefit from the two different styles of lock security philosophy.

Front Light - Cateye HL-EL450 LED Front Light - I don't plan on using this to light the way, rather to just ensure that I can been seen. I read that the standard bracket is a bit of a pain so I'd probably get a Cateye H34 Flex Tight Light Bracket to hold it in place.

Rear Light - Cateye TL-LD610 LED White Lens Rear Light - I like the styling of this light especially the clear plastic lens.

Computer - Cateye Strada Wireless 8 Function Cycle Computer - Again, I like the styling of this and it seems to be an all round good performer. My only worry is the instillation on the Tricross's forks - will this be an issue?

I think the accessories above are fairly good value for someone just starting out. That said I would like to know your thoughts.

Other things I might need include mudgaurds (but I can't find any I like the look off - most look a little old fashioned) and perhaps a puncture repair kit, tools and a pump. But as I wouldn't know how to fix a puncture if I had one, I don't see the benefit of carrying the equipment right now...

Going forward I'd like to commute on this bike so I'll eventually need a rear rack and a method of transporting my computer safely. I might even consider adding a solid state hard drive to the computer to make it more resilient to vibration from the road. I'm also holding off on getting a video camera to record my rides for the time being. That said I'm a bit of a camera geek so I'll probably end up investing in some video tech sooner rather than later.

Finally, is there anything else I need to know about cycling? I've ridden in the town before but not on a cyclocross, regularly or in a busy place like Edinburgh.

So excited!!!!

 

[rosscbrown]

Oops, maybe this should be in the "Bikes, Accessories, Kit and Clothing" forum. My apologies...

 

[ianrauk]

Moved for you

 

[potsy]

Nice one,I'm not jelous one bit

 

[Norm]

I have the same lights, but I haven't used them in nearly a year as they proved pretty hopeless for lighting the path in front of me. If you just want to be seen, get a handful of Knog Frogs and you won't have to worry about the brackets. If you want lights for seeing, then get Hope Vision 1 or, if you want to really go to town, something from Exposure.

The best rear light I've found is a Smart 1/2 watt. Cheap as chips and I'm still on the batteries that came with it nearly a year ago... they last well on flash mode!

I also have the same computer as you're looking at fitted to all of my bikes. Easy to use and does all that I require of it.

Other stuff, well I'd recommend not only getting a puncture kit but also practicing at home. For the price of a PRK and a decent pump, you will not want to be stranded somewhere when it's raining and there's no-one to collect you. (BTW, punctures are more likely on wet roads, as muck will stick more easily to a wet tyre and water lubricates the passage of foreign objects through the rubber tyre and tube.)

While we are at it, I have a Topeak Road Morph pump with a gauge. Around £30 for the pump and PRK and you are self-sufficient.

I use a Topeak wedge seat pack to carry my "stuff". Puncture kit, knife, multi-tool, inner tube, loose change and house keys fit in easily enough. Although, last weekend, I got a Topeak MTX rack and bag, which is just great! It takes all of my cycling gear, including jacket, and I can also put the smart trousers and shirt in there for commuting.

I appear to have quite a bit of Topeak stuff, but that's chosen on the individual strengths of the product rather than any brand loyalty.

 

[johnr]

Welcome... fellow Tricross Rider.

If you're getting it now, I think you might risk a few mudguard free weeks. But if you're going to be cycling in the rain, I'd swallow my pride. A wet bum is never pleasant.

I'd echo the lights advice above. My experience with cateyes has been poor. The catches don't hold and they shatter artistically when they hit the road. I use a Hope (expensive) and a Blackburn flea (great power on flashing, people will see you coming for miles(ish)). I used to have a Revolution £14 light which was really hardy (the first one I got had a faulty catch so it fell off at about 30mph and bounced along the road behind me. The light worked fine after the drop and Edinburgh Cycles replaced it because of the catch with no quibbles.

You also asked for help with cycling tips. Somewhere in the back of my head I seem to remember reading about a good cycle training or buddy scheme in edinburgh. Why not ask at Edinburgh Cycles, they may even run something themselves?

Cyclecraft gets strong recommendations on this forum and may be worth looking at. When I first went from straight bar to drops, I noticed a definite drop in my field of vision. In cities, I always ride on the hoods.

Enjoy your new bike. I love mine.

 

[Scoosh]

rosscbrown and to Cyclechat !

Finally, is there anything else I need to know about cycling? I've ridden in the town before but not on a cyclocross, regularly or in a busy place like Edinburgh.

So excited!!!!

One of our very own CC members, the highly-regarded and esteemed HJ , is a qualified and active cycle trainer. Come to the August CC Ecosse Forum Ride and meet him .

 

[sibaldib]

Congratulations on joining the Tricross owners on the forum.

I've had mine a couple of months now and absolutely love it.

Hope you enjoy yours as much.

Sib

 

[rosscbrown]

Got it :-) Best thing ever! Ended up getting a slightly lighter lock and a different front light. Just a silly little one similar to the above and I'm surprised how well it preforms - couldn't ride with it but did provide enough light to get around the garden a few times avoiding the ponds.

I've done about 40 miles on it today and it is been great to be on - the gears are a little off and I'm guessing will need indexed sometime soon but I think most bikes need a few weeks to settle in. Saddle is a bit sore but then again I have a boney a*se.

I'm going to try and commute up to Edinburgh on it this week, well 6 miles to the train station and then around Edinburgh. Thinking I could probably do with some Pannier Racks to take all my stuff up - tried cycling today with just my backback and computer - hard work. What's the best way to get the weight onto the frame. 10KG at most. Pannier Racks or one of them seat mounted carrier things? As far as racks go, do they make any minimalistic sleek looking ones - the Tricross is a brilliant looking bike and I don't want to compromise that :-)

 

[rosscbrown]

Awesome right?

 

[Norm]

Nice.

The cables will stretch over the first 150 miles, your LBS should have told you to return for a free tweak at that point.

I don't think a seat mounted rack will take 10kg. I just got one last weekend and I think it's only rated to 9kg, many are only rated to 7kg. Damned useful, though.

The Tricross has holes for a full rack, though, and there are some nice ones available, in black to match the seat tube.

The saddle should get more comfortable with use. I reckon another ride or two at that distance and you'll be good.

 

[domjon]

some other bits that will come in useful...a couple of cans of GT85 and a box of baby wipes...'got to keep the pride and joy clean somehow.

 

[rosscbrown]

I don't think a seat mounted rack will take 10kg. I just got one last weekend and I think it's only rated to 9kg, many are only rated to 7kg. Damned useful, though.

I think 10kg might be something of an overestimate - computer, change of clothes, paperwork etc is all I'm taking. Which seat mounted rack did you go for? I've been looking around and see ones from £10 to £50...

The saddle should get more comfortable with use. I reckon another ride or two at that distance and you'll be good.

I'd hope so :-) I've been out on it again it in all it wasn't too bad. I'll take a look at how it is set up in a few weeks as I feel like I'm slipping forward a little bit on it.

 

[Norm]

I think 10kg might be something of an overestimate - computer, change of clothes, paperwork etc is all I'm taking. Which seat mounted rack did you go for? I've been looking around and see ones from £10 to £50...

Topeak MTX, I think it was about £90 for the rack, side rails and bag.