Specialised Tricross

[steveindenmark]

I am looking for a bike that Jannie can use as an all round Winter/Summer/ touring bike.

I was thinking of a Specialised Tricross X13 , changing the tyres for Schwalbe Marathons and adding fenders and Tubus Logo rear rack. It would also be used for LEJOG.

We are on a budget on this bike.

Has anyone got one or would like to comment.


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-x3-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec053062

 

[Brandane]

I am looking for a bike that Jannie can use as an all round Winter/Summer/ touring bike.

I was thinking of a Specialised Tricross X13 , changing the tyres for Schwalbe Marathons and adding fenders and Tubus Logo rear rack. It would also be used for LEJOG.

We are on a budget on this bike.

Has anyone got one or would like to comment.


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/tricross-x3-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec053062

Buy it!
I have one (2009 model I think) and love it. Favourite of my 5 bikes.... It is a good all rounder, jack of all trades but master of none. I have mudguards and rack on mine, and have toured in France (Loire valley plus Bordeaux to channel) with absolutely no problem. The version you link to has an alloy fork whereas mine is carbon, but for touring I would prefer alloy/steel - not totally comfortable carrying a lot of weight in front panniers supported on carbon fork.

It is good for light off road trails etc., and also makes a not bad road bike once you bung skinnier tyres on it. I have used tyres from 25mm to 38mm on the standard rims without any issues (probably not recommended by the purists but I am here to tell the story). Mine originally had Sora shifters which I didn't get on with. I bit the bullet after two years and upgraded the whole groupset to Tiagra which was a big improvement. Excellent bike for my requirements.

 

[22camels]

Have had a tricross sport 2011 since 2011. It's not bad for light touring - not that I have anything to compare it to, having done my only 3 tours to date, on this bike, but it feels fine. Not sure I'd want to carry more than 20kg on it but it might work. If I were doing a lejog, I would want some lower gears.. I am sure I could make do with the gears as they are, just I would be walking up any 15%+ hills. From your link it looks like the stock setup for the one you're looking at is 50/39/30 front, 12-25 back. I have the same front and 11-32 at the back but really need lower. Lots of tricrosses on eBay. The quality of the components has varied year to year, I think there was a dip from 2011->2012 but it may have picked up again, I don't know the details.

 

[steveindenmark]

Thanks for the Fast replied guys. We will not be carrying 20kg as it will be a hotel/B&B LEJOG. Jannie never uses a granny ring and I am quite sure she will manage the hills.

Did any of you have problems with front brake judder. It comes up several times in the evans reviews.

Will it take 35 or 32 mm fenders?

 

[theloafer]

[QUOTE 3362532, member: 45"]I've got one. It's the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, whether commuting with panniers or riding a 100 miler.[/QUOTE]
/\/\/\/\/\/\
what @User said ...got mine a 2011 from the ctc forum jan this year love it almost as much as my made to measure tourer

 

[Dave Davenport]

Mrs D's got a 2009 sport version as her winter bike; The original Tektro canti's weren't up to much, even after removing the bar top leavers. I fitted some V brakes with travel agents (which a mate gave me) which are ok but still not fantastic in the wet. She has a dedicated tourer so can't comment on load carrying.
She only paid £350 for it when it was two months old and had done about 60 miles (think it was £900+ new) It was a great buy at that price but it's pretty lumpy and personally I wouldn't pay anywhere near full whack for one.

 

[22camels]

No problems with front brake judder. Never used fenders. I guess it applies to any bike but make sure you get a good fit - the size I got had the steerer cut so my bars were 2-3in below the seat, I had neck aches when I started to use it for touring (though fit depends on many factors and it could have been something else), fortunately I got a free new fork after a recall which I got cut longer and now my bars are more level, and it seems more comfortable though still not entirely resolved.

 

[steveindenmark]

They are about £560 at the moment.

I think I will get my order in and I can get Jannies road bike cleaned, serviced and wrapped up in the loft.

Thanks for the confirmation guys.

 

[Isla Valassi]

Did a 900 mile trip in Canada back 2011 on one. Carradice Long Flap bag on back and M-Wave waterproof bags on front with Tubus rack. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I got the disc version in March, done 9,991 (I would like to claim 10,000 but that will have to wait for tomorrow) miles on it so far. I also put a rack on it and marathon plus tyres (28s) , regularly do 50+ miles on it and have done a double metric hundred on it as well. In my opinion it will do LEJOG fine and will make a damn fine all year round bike

 

[Soltydog]

I had a tricross think it was 2008, the 'brown' one & I never really took to it Had to be careful turning at low speed as there was contact with toe & wheel, especially with mudguards fitted & mine suffered from judder when using the front brake. Sold it & bought a Ridgeback Panorama & never looked back, still a jack of all trades but more comfortable & i feel better with it

 

[potsy]

Really like my Tricross, it's my 'go anywhere' bike, can take wide tyres/rack eyc.
I have the disc braked version so there never was any brake judder.
Only bad thing is it's no lightweight, but this means it is solid and reliable if a little sluggish (or maybe that's just mine)

 

[doog]

Ive owned one since 2008. Did Spain to the UK on it and a few other smaller tours. (its in my avatar pic) However looking at the spec / price on your link they have cut corners drastically since then.

A few pointers. Its a light tourer at the most, as stated jack of all trades , master of none. Rear wheel was never strong enough to carry a load (spoke failure to the point of destruction), gearing not ideal for touring but can be changed to a degree by dropping the 30T to a 28 /26T (mine came with a dog fang), Carbon forks have been ok despite my reservations. With 4 panniers I got terrible frame flexing. I also had a lug pull completely out of the frame so have to use P clips to attach the rear rack. That aside i did many thousands of miles on it commuting /touring and its now sat on my turbo, not much of the original is left apart from the frame.
The so called nature of the CX means it has a shorter wheelbase and slightly higher centre of gravity than a normal tourer....doesnt really feel planted under load.

Main issue as stated is rear wheel and gearing for touring.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Just my tu`pence worth...

I owned a 2010 tricross, loved its "go off the beaten path" ability. But, to me, it did feel that the frame was stiffer and harsher than that of a similarly priced road bike, in my case a 2011 Secteur.

So, if I were doing a long road trip with very little in the way off off the beaten path I would look more towards this (and stretch the budget a little)...

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/secteur-sport-disc/28119/birmingham-road-bike-sale

Evans have them at the same price if there isn't a Concept store nearby, though, if there is I would let them know you want to try a tricross and Secteur and see if they do a demo ride. The Birmingham one has a good sized carpark that can be used if you leave some security.

 

[cnb]

I have completed Le jog and i would advise lower gears.Even if you are using B&Bs or hotels you will be carrying some weight..There are some steep hills on the route whichever way you go..And tired legs like a granny gear....