knobster

Recently purchased a 2010 Tricross Comp for a little bit of everything riding.

This weekend was suppose to be wet so I wanted to mount my Planet bike Cascadia full fenders on it.

First, there is no bridge on the seat stays.. Had to zip tie it. No big deal.

Next, the front brake. I can't mount the fender as the hanger for the brake is now mounted on the fork crown and it covers up the front of the fork. Even if I could mount it, the carrier sits on top of the fender and I can't connect the cable.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking I may need to just change the brake out for a V-Brake.

My 2006 Tricross doesn't have this issue, but I'm trying to get rid of this one..

funurdiesel

You may be able to get away with just a longer straddle cable. If that's not enough you could also get a hanger that mounts on the fork tube (like the older tricrosses had).

meanwhile

Longer cable = reduced mechanical advantage. And less lever travel, so reduced modulation.

Don't Spec have a product support forum? Or mail address? I'd ask what their engineers planned for you to do. The Tricross is supposed to be a general purpose bike. Otoh, this problem may be specific to the Comp version, which they could legitimately excuse from this...

If you want suggestions, you might want to post a picture here and in Bike Mechanics.

knobster

I really think they tried pushing the 2010 Comp more to racing than general purpose. They changed the fork to the S-Works model and have the wide cantis on it now. Handlebars are shallow drop cross bars.

I'll try and put it back together and post a picture.

bautieri

I have an 09 tricross sport and had the exact same problem you are having with your front brake. Except mine was getting stuck in the V brake. The problem as I have diagnosed it is that the clearance between the tire and fork is greater than average. Thus the metal "U" bracket on the front fender that you mount to the rear of the fork is too short. The best thing would be for a taller "U" mount so you could set the fender closer to the tire and out of the way of the brakes. I had no such luck with either the Cascadia or the cheaper Avenir brand. The way I fixed it was to cut the front of the front fender off about an inch past the U bracket. this way you still get the most important coverage from road spray without jamming your front brakes. I used the cheaper fenders to take the saw to but so far so good. I've only had one ride in the rain since adding fenders and the half fender in the front works great.

Whatever you do, don't change out for V brakes. V brakes + Brifters (even with travel agents) = teh suck.

knobster

Thanks bautieri. That's exactly the problem I'm having. I was thinking of a possible solution. Use some perforated strapping to extend this mount. Thus, getting it close to the tire.

bautieri

You can give that a shot.

Or you could pick up a strip of aluminum from your local hardware store, a bolt and lock nut, cut the strip about an inch and a half long, drill a hole for the bolt and mount it through the U, then drill another hole for the mount to the fork. It will be stiffer than strapping and allow precise placement of the mount holes.

Good luck and post some pics if it turns out for you.

knobster

Decided on how to fix it. Don't. Going to keep both the 2010 and 2006 bikes. Use the 2006 for wet weather/Winter and leave the fenders on it with the spare wheelset. The Roval wheels on the 2006 has cross tires and I'll use them on the 2010 for off road and use road tires on the new Rovals for road rides.

Problem solved.