Cyclocross - I would like your honest opinions

I was originally interested in the Specialized Tricross Comp. But my LBS told me that the 2007 models are sold out for the year in my size (61cm). And If I really want that bike I would have to find one in stock somewhere. The 2008 is due in July, it is basically the same bike, but brown and black and the price goes up to $1800.



Crosscheck frame + fork, all Shimano Ultegra 10, Avid Shorty 4 brakes, Mavic Open Pro rims, FSA bar/stem/carbon post, Cane Creek S3 headset, Fizik Aliante saddle, Conti Ultra Gatorskin tires.

$1799 complete.

Well, I was really interested in purchasing the Specialized Tricross Comp, but If it's not going available, I will have to think about getting a Surly.

How does the parts and price sound that I have been quoted above sound ? Or are there better options for me?

Thanks for all of your help.

Is this to race? Kona JTS

No racing, just a bike that would be good
for commuting on pavement (10 miles on average) and something that I
could take to the bike paths ( flat dirt) with comfort plus durability,
the Surly Cross-Check complete bike (maybe build it up with a 105 group)
has been mentioned quite often in the various forums. The '07
Specialized tricross comp has received quite a bit of favorable mention as
well. I am willing to spend up to invest up to $2,500 for a quality bike

So, as it stands the '07 Specialized tricross Comp and the Surly
Cross-Check Complete are the bikes that I am currently interested in. I
would like to know what your opinions are of these two bikes and any
other bikes that would meet my needs at the $2,500 price range.

The two your looking at are different enough that it warrants a good test ride to decide which is best for your riding needs. I looked at both those, plus the Kona, Bianchi, and Raleigh, and ended up with the Cross Check. It just felt the best for my riding style.

My CC has a similar build... no complaints, 'cept for the Avids. JTS isn't a bad way to go either (Surly and Kona each have a pretty loyal set of fans)

Whatever your build, think about On One's Midge bars.

EDIT: I do race my CC, but it handles all sorts of pavement (and unpaved) conditions really well. Apparently, the CC's geometry isn't as "race specific" as it could be, so it's pretty comfortable as a commuter.

It's also indestructable. If I could only get those decals off...

I have a Tricross Comp Triple and really like it. Go to the Specialized website and call them to really see if the '07 is sold out in your size. I also found that I needed a frame size down from what I'd need in a pure road bike - you should compare frame specs, esp. standover height, of the Tricross vs the other Specialized road bikes, there is a big difference. Top tube maybe shorter on the cross bike, but I fixed that with a stem swap.

It's also indestructable. If I could only get those decals off...

Soak with Goo Gone and scrape with an old credit card style card and they slide right off.

The two your looking at are different enough that it warrants a good test ride to decide which is best for your riding needs. I looked at both those, plus the Kona, Bianchi, and Raleigh, and ended up with the Cross Check. It just felt the best for my riding style.

And what is your "riding style"? If you don't mind me asking.

if you are going to commute more than trail it, invest less $$$ buy a broadie romulus for about 900 $ http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romulus.php (http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romulus.php%29and)

its a damn good bike too.

but hell, that crosscheck has a nice setup, I'd be happy with those parts but im satisfied and happy with my shimano 105 parts. It does the job

And what is your "riding style"? If you don't mind me asking.

I'm more of a go long, and go steady kinda guy, as opposed to a racer type. Lean more to comfort then speed. I liked the Tricross, but the Surly just felt right the second I got on it. Strange thing, and it could have been all in my head, but I haven't regretted it for a second.

Saw that your in Northeast Ohio, Century Cycles in Peninsula has a grey Cross Check built up in a 56. Worth a trip if your interested.
http://centurycycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=1&id=2064

Here's mine, FWIW. No, I don't work there, they're just a good shop.
http://centurycycles.com/page.cfm?PageID=520

Good people to talk to, most of the staff rides Surlys.

There are lots of great cross bikes. The big thing is sizing.

I have CC with Campy Mirage groupset and love it. Paid about 1.5K Canadian. Love It. The steel is very smooth over lots of types of ground. Fast on pavement and agile on dirt. Great Value.

If you notice that you're not shifting much and rely on 3 speeds 80% of the time, then no need to upgrade to Ultegra either. The extra money you pay is for lighter components and slightly smoother shifting pieces. I have both 105 and Ultegra, and I can only tell the difference when I'm pedaling hard with a group up and down hills where shifting is constant. But for my long rides with very little shift activity, doesn't matter one bit.

My honest opinion - ask on the commuting forum.

I love my TriX, if you can wait, get one. Everyone else seems to be happy with their Xcheck. If you like steel, why not?

I have a cross check and love it for roads / commuting. It has ultegra and ultegra/open pro's and looks and rides great. However, your budget seems a little high for what you're planning on doing. The Kona cross bikes are a good value IMO and you could get a 105 equipped bike for under $1,000. Generally, sizes bigger than 58cm don't sell well and a LBS is likely to give you a deal on one that's been lying around for a year or so. I don't like the looks of the Tricross for some reason, but people gush over them.

I'm more of a go long, and go steady kinda guy, as opposed to a racer type. Lean more to comfort then speed. I liked the Tricross, but the Surly just felt right the second I got on it. Strange thing, and it could have been all in my head, but I haven't regretted it for a second.

Saw that your in Northeast Ohio, Century Cycles in Peninsula has a grey Cross Check built up in a 56. Worth a trip if your interested.
http://centurycycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=1&id=2064

Here's mine, FWIW. No, I don't work there, they're just a good shop.
http://centurycycles.com/page.cfm?PageID=520

Good people to talk to, most of the staff rides Surlys.


I'd like to second this guy. I just took delivery of my Cross Check built by Century a week ago today and love it. They were super helpful and built my bike in less than a week.

They are worth a trip to Peninsula. The built up 56cm Cross Check is on the shelves and if its not what you are looking for they can build one to fit you. They also do alot of Raleighs and Bianchis so there is plenty to look at.

The photos of the green CC build up linked above was part of the reason I had Century do my CrossCheck. Great bike shots!

Look into the Redline Conquest Pro complete bike. It is in your pricerange and is a check of a nice bike for the money.

I think that the gunnar Cross Check is the better deal. Just remember to use Weigles Framesaver before you build up the bike.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Redline-Cyclocross-cycling-mountain-road-bike-sz-56_W0QQitemZ220121515918QQihZ012QQcategoryZ98084QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NOS-Redline-Conquest-Cross-Frame-Frk-Wheels-More_W0QQitemZ290127356986QQihZ019QQcategoryZ98084QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jamis Nova

I'm going to throw out an odd opinion perhaps, but it almost sounds like you'd be better served with a Rivendell Bleriot (http://rivbike.com) complete or a Kogswell (http://kogswell.com).