Touring - Specialized Crossroads Elite for Touring?

I've found a Specialized Crossroads Elite at a very good price. I'm considering getting it and trying it for some touring. Anyone here with some experience with this type of bike?

Thanks

DK

This is a hybrid right? While most any bike will work for touring, there are MUCH better choices out there. Looks like it does have rear rack mounts so I guess you could either do some light credit card touring with it, or pull a trailer. Either way, you'll still have to deal with the front suspension robbing power and I think, while comfortable for a little while, the upright position is going to get quite uncomfortable. Personally, I'd wait to find a older touring bike before I'd buy something like this. Would probably make a great commuter, grocery getter, bike path, townie type of bike though.

From what I can tell, it looks like a mid-range hybrid / comfort bike. I used one of these for awhile, and eventually moved up to more road-style bikes. A few pros and cons.

Pro: fairly low gearing, wide tires.

Cons: rider position is too upright; components don't look particularly good quality; suspension is not ideal for touring.

If the riding position works for you on long rides, I would say it's acceptable for short tours (2 weeks or less). Unfortunately, a position that relaxed may not feel great after 30-50 miles. It will also be better if the front suspension can be locked, and you swap the seatpost for a non-suspension version.

I'd let your other uses guide you. I.e. if you're going to use this bike for short rides (30-40 miles) and commutes, it's fine. If you think you're going to do 100 miles a day, a less upright position will most likely turn out to be better for you.

I have owned a Specialized Crossroads now for 7 years and have put on it by my estimation over 10,000 miles. I have had to replace a few things, like pedals and just recently the shifters. Overall, it is a good bicycle for numerous uses, including touring. I have yet to ride a century on it, though I have come close many times.

Mine (2001 model, mid level, no suspension) does have braze-ons or mounts in the rear. The wheels are strong, with 36 spokes each. The tires are of a medium width—38C or 1.5 inches to us traditionalists. Generally, it is a bike that is designed for comfort on long, or longer rides. And though it is generally not designed for speed, I have gotten it up to 36 mph on a flat surface with no wind. (It got fitted with a bike computer later in its life.)

Guess what I am saying is that I wholeheartedly endorse this bike and its siblings (other levels and years of Crossroads) for just about any type of riding (except racing), including touring of any kind.

This is a 1998 model with no suspension. If I change the stem and put drop bars on it, will the position change enough?

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1998&Brand=Specialized&Model=Crossroads+A1+Elite&Type=bike

Obviously that's got to be a used bike. Even if it's been sitting around, it will need a tune-up and likely some new parts. Add $100 - $150 to the cost of the bike.

Changing out to drop bars will cost you at least another $150, by the way. I.e. if you want a bike with drops, you're better off getting a bike with drops (new or used).

I made the same conversion that you are talking about with an earlier model of crossroads. All told with some parts I had around my workshop I have around 400 into the conversion. Not exactly cheap but half of what it would have cost to build up LHT. I still have some tweaking to do and racks to add but it should handle it fine.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o61/mudman93/Picture026.jpg

I made the same conversion that you are talking about with an earlier model of crossroads. All told with some parts I had around my workshop I have around 400 into the conversion. Not exactly cheap but half of what it would have cost to build up LHT. I still have some tweaking to do and racks to add but it should handle it fine.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o61/mudman93/Picture026.jpg

That is what I'm talking about! The one I'm looking at is in great shape. The woman who has it must be selling it from a divorce. I don't think it was ever ridden much. I can pick it up for 125.

A good buy at 125......

Yes, at $125 it does sound like a good buy. It saddens me though to think
that mine may only be worth a little more than that.