Cyclocross - Cannondale cyclocross vs. Trek XO1 vs. New Specialized Tricross

Hi Guys,
I have been looking for a cyclocross bike for the last month or so. I am in the $1,500 price range. I'd like to hear your opinions about the above bikes. I am leaning toward the Cannondale and the specialized. Is the specialized worth the extra money ($1,700) and waiting time (LBS getting specialized bikes in about a week from now)? thanks

Twiggy,

It really depends on what you're doing, if you're racing I would probably go for the specialized just because it's more of a race specific bike and the cannodale only comes with Tiagra components, for a $1300 bike I would expect more than just Tiagra components on it. I just bought a Cannondale frameset for racing and will be building it up myself which I personally think is the best way to go about it, I also like the geometry of the cannondale better. Is the specialized worth the extra cash? well, the $1700 bike is the S-Works version, you can get the Comp version for $1500 I believe which in my opinion is still expensive.

If I was to buy a full bike I'd go for the '06 Lemond Poprad, has the classic orange paint job and fully specked with Shimano 105 you get it for $1200.00. If I were to do it again, I'd probably just buy the Poprad instead of buying the cannondale frame.

Dave

I would wait for the Specialized... Better components overall, and once you see the Roval wheels and hubs (especially the hubs) you'll be hooked. Maybe it's just me, but the Roval hubs are simple the most elegant pieces of bike hardware I've ever seen! Me want!

i'm probably in the minority here but i think that the specialized is fugly. it looks like a hybrid w/drops. but i do agree that those wheels look nice. out of the bikes you listed, i'd say....none of them. for that money you can do better. the new poprad is very nice, as is the new fuji cross pro. check out the bianchi's as well. and the felt F1X. imho, you're getting more for your money with those bikes than with the cannondale and the trek.

oh, and add the kona jake the snake to the list of contenders...

Check out the Propad (looks like the Sarthe) and the new Trek Portland. Those look very cool.

Trek Portland?

I've got one of the Specialized Tri-Cross Comps. One of the few bikes I've found without the annoying high bottom brackets.

Isn't an annoying high bottom bracket what helps make a cyclocross bike a cyclocross bike? Y'know for more ground clearance and bunny hoppin' barricades?

Why isn't the Tricross a tricycle? A cyclcross tricycle.

I don't think I'll ever be bunny hopping any barriers. I raced the previous two seasons on a bike with an even lower BB than the Tricross and ground clearance was never an issue. Lower BB makes for easier remounts. Most bikes have the same BB height all through the size range so a couple of centimeters makes more of a difference on the smaller bikes ridden by us that are vertically challenged. I also prefer the handling characteristics of a bike with a lower center of gravity.

A sneak peek at the new Trek "Portland" (http://bikeportland.org/2005/08/21/first-look-treks-new-portland/)

2006 Trek Portland Specs Scraped from All Terrain Cycles (http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product.php?pid=102857)

Colors Burnt Orange
Frame Alpha SLR Aluminum
Stays Alpha SLR Aluminum
Fork Bontrager Satellite Elite, carbon
Wheels Bontrager Select Road Disc
Tires Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x28c
Shifters Shimano 105 STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano 105
Rear Derailleur Shimano 105
Crankset Bontrager Select 50/36
Cassette Shimano 105 12-27, 10 speed
Pedals Shimano 520, clipless
Saddle Bontrager Race Lux
Seatpost Bontrager Select
Stem Bontrager Race OS, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Handlebar Bontrager Select, 31.8mm
Tape Bontrager gel cork w/Bontrager Race bar padding
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy
Brakeset Avid BB7 mechanical disc w/Shimano 105 STI levers