Cyclocross - Specialized Tricross or Focus Mares frameset?

I ordered a Specialized Tricross SS last week. Today the shop told me that they were out of frames in my size, and that they won't receive any new until December 15th. Instead they suggested that they could use a Focus Mares frame set and build it up with the Tricross components for the same price, a Focus Mares SS. Any opinions on that? Is this a switch a sweet deal, same/same, or would it be a downgrade?

The Focus look sweet, and isn't a downgrade. I'm sure you would be stoked with either bike.

Is the Mares a SS frame??

Is the Mares a SS frame??

No.

Is the Tricross? And does that really make a difference? I would think if I was building a SS bike, I'd want rear facing dropouts for chain tensioning purposes.

I've got the SS Tricross. I couldn't be happier with it.

Is the Tricross? And does that really make a difference? I would think if I was building a SS bike, I'd want rear facing dropouts for chain tensioning purposes.

The Tricross SS frame has track ends, yes. I would think that since these are professionals building up my bike they have a solution in mind for converting the Focus Mares to a single speed. Probably a chain tensioner.

I'm not sure I'd want a chain tensioner for CX. Too many opportunities to throw a chain.

If having a SS cross bike is your intension then hold out for the 09 model until Dec 15th. Merry Christmas to you.

The Singlecross is a sweet ride, as soon as the snow hits the ground I'll be doing a flip flop and ride fixed for the winter. Good training for when I hit the velodrome in April.

If having a SS cross bike is your intension then hold out for the 09 model until Dec 15th. Merry Christmas to you.

The Singlecross is a sweet ride, as soon as the snow hits the ground I'll be doing a flip flop and ride fixed for the winter. Good training for when I hit the velodrome in April.

I don't doubt that the single cross is a sweet ride, but what makes it sweeter than the Focus Mares, presuming that the shop gets the chain line and tension correct? The impression I've been getting is that the Mares frame/fork set is slightly better than the Tricross, and I like the looks of it a lot more.

Another thing that speaks for the Mares is the shop would give me other wheels than those bomb proof tank wheels on the Tricross.

Ahh it's a single speed? I personally do not have any issue with the wheel set. The Alex rims are common on cross bikes in that price range. I would take track ends over vertical dropouts with a tensioner 100% of the time if I wanted a single speed bike. Like I mentioned earlier I can flip my wheel and run fixed for the winter, not an option with vertical dropouts and a tensioner.

Any other reasons, besides the fixed option, that you would choose track ends instead of vertical dropouts plus a tensioner?

Is the stock rear wheel on the tricross a flip flop with a fixed side?

Will a White Industries eccentric hub work? If one of those is adjusted correctly, is it a straight drop-in into vertical dropouts?

It kind of feels like we are comparing apples with oranges here. I think you need to look at whether you want a single speed speed or a multi geared bike. If you want a SS then the Singlecross has some advantages like the mentioned track style dropouts. Along with being able to have correct chain tension without adding a another devise that adds friction in the drivetrain like a tensioner the dropouts are also spaced at 120mm not 130 mm like geared bikes.

Alternatively if you want a single speed bike what advantages does the Focus offer being used as a SS cross bike? You can use any frame to do a SS conversion on.

I'm going to get the Focus as a SS conversion. Not worrying too much about a little extra friction from the tensioner. Someday I might throw gears on it if I get serious with cyclocross. The frame doesn't have any SS-specific advantages to the tricross. But it's a nice, light and stiff frame for the money and as I mentioned I get a set of wheels that are lighter than the tank wheels of the tricross. Plus I love the looks of the Focus and won't have to wait another month.