JFlurett

Howdy all. I've been commuting for over a year on my Tricross Singlecross. I just bought a house in a different part of town which is now forcing me to go on some pretty steep hills if I go to work, the gym, the store, etc. I've already stretched my chain after living here for 6 months.

I am wanting to get into Tri's and Cyclocross next year. I do not have a desire to do single speed cyclocross. So here is what I was thinking:

Pick up a cheapie (used most likely) road bike for commuting as I would like to not take a nice road bike around.

Get a separate road bike for tris.

Get a separate bike for cyclos.

Sell the Tricross.


Is there a better option, different view, or something I'm not considering here?

barturtle

Personally, I don't see why one bike couldn't do it all. A mid range cross bike could easily be a great commuter with just a change of tires. Most cross racers tend to have multiple sets of wheels for their bikes, with tires for different conditions already mounted, so having another set for your commuter tires doesn't seem to be a big deal.

As far as tris, really unless you are actually competitive in you age group, it's more about setting "personal bests" Who cares if that personal best is on a cross bike with some clip-on aerobars? Again, another set of wheels for tris and a few accessories (aero bottles, feed bag, etc) and you're good to go.

If it turns out you're really competitive with the people you race with in either discipline, then you can get a higher spec bike just for that. If not, then you still have a good bike that you can go out and race all you want trying to improve your personal best times, without having spent piles of cash.

I'd probably keep the Singlecross, as having a backup commuter is always a good idea.