Specialized 2011 Tricross Sport v Boardman CX
- Thread starter Jim_Noir
- Start date
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The Boardman has higher spec components at each price point and comes with BB5 mechanical discs rather than the Tektro cantis on the Tricross. Unless you are looking at the Sport Disc, which also comes with the BB5s. Some of the design, such as rack mounts around the disc brake on the rear, seems to be better thought out.
However, you are telling the whole world that you shop at Halfords, if the image is important to you.
However, you are telling the whole world that you shop at Halfords, if the image is important to you.
Hi Jim,
I have the Boardman CX, and like you I also have the Team Carbon. I can therefore give you some info on the CX but not the Tricross.
I'm not sure what gruppo comes on the Tricross, but the SRAM Apex is great (especially for touring with the big range) and will be consistent with the SRAM on your TC. I have both bikes in Large, but for some reason the CX has wider handlebars. It means switching between bikes is more noticeable, but I actually quite like the extra sturdiness when laden that the wider bars give, and then I also like how much more compact and sporty I feel when on the TC. I'm sure you could switch no problem, although thinking about it now, I guess you do need a bit of extra width for the additional brake levers if you still want to mount lights etc.
Disc brakes take a while to bed in, and mine need resetting now for a second time about 1500 miles in as they've got a bit squidgy. They also honk a bit especially in the wet, but this is probably the set up and can be altered.
SkS Chromoplastic guards and the Tubus Vega rack look nice on it, and I opted for the Schwalbe Marathon tyres. I have photos if you want to have a look.
Took me around Ireland without any problems, carrying a LOT of kit, and gets me to work and the pub without incident. Getting home from the pub is a different matter entirely
Give me a shout if you have any more specific questions.
I have the Boardman CX, and like you I also have the Team Carbon. I can therefore give you some info on the CX but not the Tricross.
I'm not sure what gruppo comes on the Tricross, but the SRAM Apex is great (especially for touring with the big range) and will be consistent with the SRAM on your TC. I have both bikes in Large, but for some reason the CX has wider handlebars. It means switching between bikes is more noticeable, but I actually quite like the extra sturdiness when laden that the wider bars give, and then I also like how much more compact and sporty I feel when on the TC. I'm sure you could switch no problem, although thinking about it now, I guess you do need a bit of extra width for the additional brake levers if you still want to mount lights etc.
Disc brakes take a while to bed in, and mine need resetting now for a second time about 1500 miles in as they've got a bit squidgy. They also honk a bit especially in the wet, but this is probably the set up and can be altered.
SkS Chromoplastic guards and the Tubus Vega rack look nice on it, and I opted for the Schwalbe Marathon tyres. I have photos if you want to have a look.
Took me around Ireland without any problems, carrying a LOT of kit, and gets me to work and the pub without incident. Getting home from the pub is a different matter entirely
Give me a shout if you have any more specific questions.
Seems to be a lot of people choosing between these two bikes specifically. I wonder why? 
For what's it worth I think that Specialized are trading on the brand name in this segment specifically, and charge an absolute premium for heavy and underequipped bikes.
I think the Boardman is fine, but there are plenty of worthwhile offerings in this segment from other manufacturers, Cannondale, Cube, Whyte and Planet X are a few.
I have just bought a Cube X-Race Pro, and this is an awesome CX racer, but not 100% alligned with your stated needs. With your brief, I'd probably look at Whyte's offerings most closely.
Revolutionary geometry makes the Whyte crossers particularly interesting. More info.
Finally, there are CX specialist brands like Ridley and Kinesis, if you're prepared to venture further afield.
For what's it worth I think that Specialized are trading on the brand name in this segment specifically, and charge an absolute premium for heavy and underequipped bikes.
I think the Boardman is fine, but there are plenty of worthwhile offerings in this segment from other manufacturers, Cannondale, Cube, Whyte and Planet X are a few.
I have just bought a Cube X-Race Pro, and this is an awesome CX racer, but not 100% alligned with your stated needs. With your brief, I'd probably look at Whyte's offerings most closely.
Revolutionary geometry makes the Whyte crossers particularly interesting. More info.
Finally, there are CX specialist brands like Ridley and Kinesis, if you're prepared to venture further afield.
On the TC you'll have the continental sport contact I think which are a pretty good tyre. On the CX the stock are a CX specific Ritchey Excavader.
I use the CX for commuting, touring and winter riding, so I've put Schwalbe Marathon on (700 x 25). I haven't tried the stock tyres so I'm not sure how they are for CX riding. Certainly for commuting they do seem like they'd be a bit flimsy. I can imagine you'd get a few punctures.
On the Schwalbe Marathon issue though, I do have a rather large egg in one, which seems to be a tyre fault rather than a dodgy tube, or anything to do with how I've fitted it. They do however, seem to be highly recommended on this forum though and seeing as the standard marathon are discontinued I'll probably give a set of the Marathon Plus a go when it's time to replace.
CopperCyclist
Veteran
This is so uncannily identical to my Boardman CX it's not funny!
The handle bars are indeed slightly wider to allow for the extra brakes, and even then there's not much room for lights. if you deliberately set out to bed in the disc brakes by a session of 'sprint hard, brake' repeated frequently getting them hot, then it takes a while to bed them in. I just hit 1400 miles and needed to reset the brakes, but this was mostly cable stretch. My brakes also honked loudly when I firs got them, but this was due to a slightly bent front disc - once this was replaced, no further honking and the whole bike is a silent, good ride,
Overall, I'd recommend it highly, but haven't ridden the Tricross so can't offer a comparison.
