Touring - Loading a Tricross

I was wondering here if anyone owned a tricorss and has done anything touring wise with it.

I'm kinda curious as to how much it can carry and how it feels when loaded. I figure that because it has front and rear eyelets specialized intended it to be able to be loaded, but I kinda need reasuring from someone who's actually done it that it can work as a decent touring bike... or that it doesn't work, in which case I geuss I best start my search for a bike afresh.

Hi Dheorl

I bought a slightly used '08 Tricross Singlecross a few months ago to use as a city bike and eventually soup up into a tourer. I have followed some discussions about it here, in particular about what racks work and don't. Someone was kind enough to share their experiences with a loaded Tricross in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=444100). In other places i have heard people describe the handling more favorably, but this (heavier) rider describes it like riding a "wet noodle". :/

The Topeak Super Tourist DX he mentions as a viable rear rack is not available in the US, but i found a pretty good deal on it in a multiple-part order from SJS cycles in the UK, which does international shipping. I wanted it for the Topeak quick-release rail and extra, lower side rails for panniers.

I haven't received the order yet but, when i do, i'll let you know how it rides. I'm currently looking for a good front rack and started a discussion here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=471198). I really like my Tricross, but am looking forward to getting an Alfine hub built into a wheel so i have some gear range.

I don't have a Tricross, but have worked on my cross (Surly Cross Check) as a tourer.

I found that if you put all the weight on the back, even with a handlebar bag the handling is not great. Put some weight up front and it's much better.

The only thing that might throw handling off, compared to a real touring bike, is that the BB is a little higher - maybe 1/2" to 1", so you might want to put the heavy stuff in the bottom of the bags.

Some dude's hard core tri-cross tour (trashed a wheel, pedal and crank amongst other things from bangkok to china and back)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=412429

The only thing that might throw handling off, compared to a real touring bike, is that the BB is a little higher - maybe 1/2" to 1", so you might want to put the heavy stuff in the bottom of the bags.

This might be trivial but I recall someone posting in another thread that he stored tools in a 500g or so peanut butter container in the bottle cage on the underside between the front wheel and the bottom bracket. This would seem to be an ideal location for dense storage, as tools could be some of the heaviest gadgets one would carry with them on a tour. Also, tools would probably be infrequently used, so better to store them in a location which it's probably one of the least accessible on your bike. Strategically, it would seem a better location than in a saddle bag or in panniers for both convenience and maximizing center of gravity...low and center.

This thread interests me a great deal. I have a tricross sport 07 and would to do some serious loaded touring with it but am looking for reassurance from ones who have tried it.

Or you can use one of these (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600072&subcategory=60001024&brand=&sku=13264&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Bottles).

I have the 09 sport. I guess I do semi-loaded touring: sleeping bag, tent, sometimes stove, but rarely more than 1 day's food. I find it handles fine, but I'd be happier with front panniers. I don't have much to compare with though.

My LBS deals with tricrosses a lot and say they find it very difficult to fit a front rack, despite the mid fork brazeons. Something to do with the fork being concave. Bummer. One solution they showed me involved a Surly rack and two weird extra brackety things that didn't even use the brazeons.

I use the bottom cage for...water.

I have a Topeak Super Tourist DX rack, which I like. It's nice mounting the panniers lower, and using a rack bag at the same time.

Steve

I thought the original Blackburn lowrider front rack i got with some Cannondale panniers on Ebay wasn't going to work, but after seeing how few other racks look like they'll work any better, i gave it another go tonight and it works great. You have to put the stabilizing bar attachments on the outside so they'll fit over the fat carbon fork, and perhaps even space it with a washer. In my case i am putting the fender stabilizer between the two parts of the rack instead of a washer--because that's the only place it will really go. It takes a 25mm bolt to do that.

Between that and the Super Tourist DX, i'm ready for loaded touring. :)

Could you post some photos of how you got the front rack to work? It would be really helpful!

Thanks,
Steve

Sure thing. I have to pick up some 5x25mm bolts first so i can secure it properly. Next week some time. :)

I rode my tricross sport across the US this year. I loved it and its fun to ride at home too

I rode my tricross sport across the US this year. I loved it and its fun to ride at home too

I've got a Tricross Sport and am considering a similar cross country tour with this bike. Do you have any pictures of your loaded rig? 4 panniers or 2? Love to hear as much details as possible if you can spare the time.

First off, sorry for the awful pics; all i have right now is an ancient webcam.
http://www.geocities.com/doerdai/lowrider3.jpghttp://www.geocities.com/doerdai/lowrider4.jpg
The single eyelet is bolted to a stack of: crossover bar (outside), fender strut, rack support (inside) with blue Loctite to secure the 5x25mm stainless bolt ($.75 at TrueValue hardware)
http://www.geocities.com/doerdai/lowrider1.jpghttp://www.geocities.com/doerdai/lowrider2.jpg
The clearance with the 700x32 tire is disturbingly small. The QR lever is also a bit tight.

I did a 105 mile round trip overnight tour on Friday and Saturday and the racks performed well. The bike feels more stable when loaded this way--strange impression of driving a tank. I basically have a SUV now. :).

Tricross Singlecross Bike+racks+fenders = ~23#
" + 4 panniers (old Cannondales in front and Ortlieb Backroller plus in back) = ~33#
+27# gear and 155# rider.

The single speed thing was a real drag. I need to build up the Alfine hub i have gleaming in a box here before my knees will forgive me.

I ride my tricross with a lot of weight and I'm pretty big too. I had Blackburn lowriders which were fine but I've switched to Blackburn moutain rack on the front (you can fit these together apparently, but I'v not bothered) so I can pile it high in the absense of a barbag. Disappointingly it fitted only with the adaptors provided, but have had no problems so far. Rides like a dream and feels like a real upgrade from my much loved and sadly departed 80s Dawes Super Galaxy.