"Relaxed" Hybrid
10-13-06, 06:45 PM
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"Relaxed" Hybrid
Just test rode a new bike today, a 2007 Specialized Crossroads Elite. Specialized has been selling a bike by this name for a few years now, but modified it rather substantially for 2007. The 2006 model was a fairly typical hybrid. For 2007 they relaxed frame more, moving the seat further back. Now it is almost a cross between a hybrid and a crank-forward (like the Electra Townie).
You can see a picture here:
https://www.specializedbicycles.com/b...d=07Crossroads
They offer it in the "Elite" or "Sport" models, with the component upgraded for the Elite.
They also sell almost the identical bike as the Specialized Expedition Elite. The only significant difference between the Crossroads and the Expedition are the wheels & tires. The Crossroads use 700mm x 38, the Expedition uses 26"x1.90". They have also been selling the Expedition for a while, but again the 2007 models use a different frame. You can't use a review by someone with a 2006 Crossroads or Expedition as a guide to purchase a 2007 model.
I found the Crossroads Elite to be very comfortable, have a very upright seating position, and yet also have somewhat more performance than crank-forwards like the Electra Townie, Giant Suede, Trek Solo, or Raleigh Guru. The narrower tires helped a lot. And it also has reasonable good components, such as Shimano Deore rear derailleur, Alex double-wall rims, and Armadillo tires. And it was fairly easy to stand and pedal.
Definitely not a performance road bike, but an interesting mix of a very comfortable hybrid with better performance than I've found in others.
Now I'm trying to decide if it fits my needs of having a bike that is comfortable enough to get me out frequently on 4-6 mile fitness rides and yet have enough performance for the occasional 20-25 mile ride or 11 mile one-way commute. Vs options like a Trek 7500 or Fuji Crosstown 1.0, which have better performance but not quite as much comfort. I've already eliminated a number of reasonably good bikes, which just don't have the comfort that I desire, such as the Marin San Rafael and Cannondale Adventurer 400 which are more road bike oriented, and the aforementioned crank-forwards which were too cushy and slow.
You can see a picture here:
https://www.specializedbicycles.com/b...d=07Crossroads
They offer it in the "Elite" or "Sport" models, with the component upgraded for the Elite.
They also sell almost the identical bike as the Specialized Expedition Elite. The only significant difference between the Crossroads and the Expedition are the wheels & tires. The Crossroads use 700mm x 38, the Expedition uses 26"x1.90". They have also been selling the Expedition for a while, but again the 2007 models use a different frame. You can't use a review by someone with a 2006 Crossroads or Expedition as a guide to purchase a 2007 model.
I found the Crossroads Elite to be very comfortable, have a very upright seating position, and yet also have somewhat more performance than crank-forwards like the Electra Townie, Giant Suede, Trek Solo, or Raleigh Guru. The narrower tires helped a lot. And it also has reasonable good components, such as Shimano Deore rear derailleur, Alex double-wall rims, and Armadillo tires. And it was fairly easy to stand and pedal.
Definitely not a performance road bike, but an interesting mix of a very comfortable hybrid with better performance than I've found in others.
Now I'm trying to decide if it fits my needs of having a bike that is comfortable enough to get me out frequently on 4-6 mile fitness rides and yet have enough performance for the occasional 20-25 mile ride or 11 mile one-way commute. Vs options like a Trek 7500 or Fuji Crosstown 1.0, which have better performance but not quite as much comfort. I've already eliminated a number of reasonably good bikes, which just don't have the comfort that I desire, such as the Marin San Rafael and Cannondale Adventurer 400 which are more road bike oriented, and the aforementioned crank-forwards which were too cushy and slow.
10-14-06, 08:57 AM
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I'd do 11 miles x 2 on one of those, just not regularly. I personally just prefer something quicker on my 14x2 commute. But for the 4-6's and occasional 20-25's, that would be a great choice. It's just when pressed for time that I wouldn't want to ride it.
A friend of mine commutes 5 miles x 2 on a very similar bike, a Giant Cypress DX. She loves the upright position and ride. She also takes it on long weekend rides and extols its virtues to me.
A friend of mine commutes 5 miles x 2 on a very similar bike, a Giant Cypress DX. She loves the upright position and ride. She also takes it on long weekend rides and extols its virtues to me.
10-14-06, 11:28 AM
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Yes, I've test ridden the Cypress LX. Very similar, but a touch less "relaxed" than the Crossroads. It is also a bit faster than many of the other comfort hybrids, due to it's narrower 700mm tires. The components are a notch below the Fuji, to which I was comparing it at the same LBS.
I'm trying to zero in on my needs before buying. I don't want to purchase something that I "outgrow" in a few months. That is, I'm way out of biking shape and I'm fearful of buying something too comfortable that later frustrates me *IF* I get in better shape. So I'm out riding my old bike, on longer and longer rides - just did 50 minutes this morning - trying to determine how much of an upright position I want to be in. I know I don't want anything with 2" tires!
So I don't want to be cursing the Specialized for sitting too upright, or cursing the Fuji or Trek for leaning too far forward. No way to figure it out except to keep on riding.
I'm trying to zero in on my needs before buying. I don't want to purchase something that I "outgrow" in a few months. That is, I'm way out of biking shape and I'm fearful of buying something too comfortable that later frustrates me *IF* I get in better shape. So I'm out riding my old bike, on longer and longer rides - just did 50 minutes this morning - trying to determine how much of an upright position I want to be in. I know I don't want anything with 2" tires!
So I don't want to be cursing the Specialized for sitting too upright, or cursing the Fuji or Trek for leaning too far forward. No way to figure it out except to keep on riding.
