Cyclocross - Specialized Tricross sport vs. Fuji cross comp

I'm planning on doing my first 'cross race in a few weeks.

I currently have a Tricross Sport that I purchased last December. I bought it because it was the first 'cross bike that I found in a shop that fit me. I've ridden the bike a lot on and off road and it has served me well. One thing that I liked about the bike was that is has eyelets to attach racks and appears that I could use it for touring. I even sold my Trek 520 touring bike.
One thing that I don't like about the bike is that it is pretty heavy. I always figured that the frame weight was reasonable but that the bigger wheels and tires were what made it so heavy. Well, a few weeks ago I threw a pair of road wheels on there to see the difference and it was still prettyy heavy. I don't know how much the tricross frame weighs but I'm guessing now that it weighs quite a bit more than I originally suspected.
Another thing that I'm not too thrilled with the Tricross is the 45cm chainstays. I think that they're simply too long and that maybe I could get better traction going up steep climbs with shorter chainstays. I think that 43cm would be ideal as that would still allow me room to put on panniers and not hit my heels.

A couple of days ago I was in a shop and saw the Fuji cross comp. It seemed to be a nice bike at a good price, $850. Fuji claims that the frame weight is only 3.3 pounds. The bike definitely felt lighter than my tricross. So now I'm driving myself crazy thinking about selling the tricross to buy the fuji. The fuji has eyeletes for a rear rack although I probably couldn't put a front rack on with the fork that comes with it. Also the fuji has 43cm chainstays.

What do you guys think about these two bikes? Any recomendations on which one might serve me better? I will be racing this season and I might go on a tour someday.

As for your weight concerns, the Fuji website lists the Cross Comp at 21.6 lbs. I've read where the Tricross Sport is 24 lbs. So, Fuji wins there. And if climbing is important to you, then by all means the shorter stays are better. The Fuji has a bit more aggressive geometry than the Tricross, so test it's handling before buying. May not be as good a tourer as the Tricross, but like you said, someday...

So lighter weight, better spec and cheaper to boot. What's not to like? Oh yeah, the Tricross has a carbon seatpost, the Fuji doesn't! :D

BTW the 07 Tricross Comp goes way upspec and price too...

So, is that carbon seatpost on the Tricross another selling point for the Fuji? My Tricross seatpost makes occasional loud pops when crossing rough stuff. Sorta like a carbon aircraft component somewhere just above limit load.

I can't say I'm a real big fan of carbon on bikes...

2.4 pounds between the two bikes. Not much to consider really. If I was you, I'd get a set of cross wheels for racing that are fairly light weight and be done with it. You'll easily drop the 2-3 pounds with a nicer wheelset/cassette. The other heavy components are the crank and bottom bracket. Not sure it'd be worth changing them until they wear out. Can't see where 2 cm will make that huge of a difference in climbing either. Technique may make up for that.

Unless you have some disposable income you're wanting to rid yourself of, I wouldn't bother. Just get some better wheels and tires and you'll be fine.

Frame weight really isn't that big of a deal. Rotational weight is where you want to focus. The static weight of the frame and components can easily and much cheaper be dropped by losing a few pounds off your carcass.

Yeah. Consider: Sell the Tricross for $500 and buy the Fuji for $850? Or buy a $350 wheelset? *drool*

Dear gobes:

Just get a Tricross Comp. I realize this is significantly more than you would like to spend, and I remember my own sticker shock only too well, but it will pay you back many times over, in gas, in future upgrades you will not have to do, as well as in fun.

Good Luck and ride safe

SF

Somehow this thread got revived. I created this thread nearly 3 years ago.

In the meantime... after I started racing I wanted a lighter bike and bought a Trek XO2. The XO2 was a lot lighter than the tricross sport, 18.5 lbs. When racing it felt noticeably lighter especially when going up runups but my results were the same. The bike didn't make me any faster.
I preferred the way that the tricross handled and after another year I ended up buying another tricross sport and haven't regretted it. It's a very versatile bike... I still own the trek. Last year I raced only ss on a singlespeed tricross. Compared to the trek the tricross corners better and smooths out the bumps a little better. When racing season comes this year I haven't decided if I'll race the trek again or the tricross with some lighter wheels. I'm leaning towards the tricross.