Tricross Arrived (and CTW tips!)

[millypops82]

Hi all,

Thanks for everyones advice. I couldn't have done it without you. After a lot of research, finally picked up my Spesh Tricross yesterday.
BTW - for anyone stuck on the Halfords CTW scheme - Leisure Lakes will accept the vouchers. Means my bike was put together by someone who knew about bikes and I could get the accessories I wanted.

Anyway, first two niggles! Realise it is early days but is always good to try and nip things in the bud.

1) Went for my first ride yesterday. Only about 15 miles. Nothing major. However, I noticed that unless i'm careful I'm getting toe overlap - basically if I am turning and not careful my pedal will hit the front wheel if it is down on the same side I'm turning. THe frame size is 52 and definitely feels right in terms of stand over position and handle reach, so is this just something that happens with smaller frames and I'll have to live with it

2) The saddle is definitely not comfy. Feel a little sore today. Now could be because I haven't ridden in a few years but think I might be making the changover to Brooks soon or perhaps a Spesh ladies saddle. I saw the last posts on this issue, so realise it is more a try it and see - and hope you don't have to spend too much money on the way! Also, I guess I need to make sure the saddle is in the right position - so any advice on that would be fab!

3) I forgot to take my SPD pedals in to fit on so currently have toe clip pedals. Might give it a few weeks before I make the cross over now!!

Will post pics up next week. Off to Rome now. Ia a tough life!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[ACS]

Did 500 miles on my Sport before making the following changes.

Agree with you about the saddle I moved my b17 over from my hybid and after a bit of jiggery pokery got it in the right position.

Tyres - found the 700x32 cx to be a bit heavy so I have shoed mine with 700x28 Bontrager Race Lite hardcase's. Lost a bit of comfort but reduced rolling resistance on the road is a price worth paying.

Set of m520 pedal's from Melin cycles and that's about it.

Did a 100km audax on mine last weekend, loved it.

Carradice barley next

 

[Greenbank]

1) Went for my first ride yesterday. Only about 15 miles. Nothing major. However, I noticed that unless i'm careful I'm getting toe overlap - basically if I am turning and not careful my pedal will hit the front wheel if it is down on the same side I'm turning. THe frame size is 52 and definitely feels right in terms of stand over position and handle reach, so is this just something that happens with smaller frames and I'll have to live with it

I've got toe-overlap on all of my road bikes. 54cm frames and size 10 feet.

It's only ever a problem when turning sharply at very slow speed (i.e. under walking pace) and then it's just a case of watching out for it. Once you're going over 4mph then you'll never steer hard enough for it to be a problem.

 

[nigelnorris]

I've had mine only for a few days and about 50 odd miles, but I'm not having your problems. No toe over lap (bigger frame, 56cm) - in fact I just checked and there is 2.5 inches clearance between the end of the clips and the tyre at their closest point. As for the saddle, it is just soooooo comfy after what I had got used to on my hybrid. Maybe I have a bit more rear end padding then you do

I have to say I'm over the moon with it, I'm just waiting for my hangover to clear up so that I can go for my first proper (non commute) ride on it

My only niggle is that I've bought a Kryptonite New York d-lock for it, but because of the shape/thickness of the frame posts the only place to mount the bracket means that both the bottle cage mount points are obscured. Trivial though, I'll be putting a rack on it in the next couple of days and the d-lock can live there.

 

[Soltydog]

Hi

I've got a 60/61 ? frame & with mudguards fitted I get toverlap so it's not just small frames, although I think without the guards I'd be ok.

I found the saddle bad too, but sold it for about £24 iirc on ebay & bought a B17 for £35

 

[Dave5N]

I got 4 inches of toe overlap on my 'cross bike. Never been a problem, even in technical races.

 

[Old Walrus]

My Tricross (2007)
1. Size 56 frame + size 11 feet + SPDs + mudguards = Toe Overlap, not an issue
2. Saddle swapped for a Brooks B17, much comfier
3. Tyres changed to Schwalbe Marathon + 700x28, more reliable

Love it!

 

[l4dva]

My Tricross has toe overlap, but i only ever notice it when im stoped at lights.

Saddle was the first thing to go! Swapped it for a spesh BG saddle.

Then some SPD's and mountain bike shoes.

I might change the tyres to something thinner/lighter ( I want to go faster ) but to be honest I don't have any problems with standard ones. 600 miles done so far and the tyres still look new!