Hi people.
I'm looking for an all-rounder - light tourer, commuter, recreational trail-rider and maybe a beginner triathlon bike.
I've tried lots (excluding, sadly, the bianchi volpe as well as a trek, fuji, k2, rei bikes). The two I've tried that seem to fit best are a specialized tricross 54cm with a shorter stem, or a lemond poprad 52cm.
I like the idea of steel, and the lemond fits like a glove, but I'd want a triple crank (moving to New Zealand.. hilly!) so would probably have to fork out a bit to get that set up. It also doesn't have brazeons for racks (tho does have threaded eyelets on front and back, so would be workable)
The specialized also fits well, has triple crank and braze-ones, and alu may have its advantages for rainy NZ? It's just so chunky looking though, vs. the (to me) attractive classic-style poprad. I could get an '08 sport for $1150, or an '07 comp for $1500. What is there about the higher spec one that would be good for me? (given I don't want to actually race cyclocross...) Is it worth the upgrade?
08 sport -
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32209
07 comp -
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22302
Thanks for any comments....
Helen.