superdodoz

Hi Everyone,

I was planning to buy a hybrid bike (first time) and was considering this one -
SpecializedCrosstrail Disc 2015 $520.00, my budget is between $400-$600. I was looking for a review and suggestion and led me to this forum and sign up. I know most of you guys have experience and ideas. my question is, is this a good price at my budget or there are better one, if so please let me know and any suggestion to look for when buying a hybrid bike.

Thanks so much.

swoodjr1

I'll go first. Where do you plan to ride? Streets, dirt paths, crushed gravel, etc?
Regardless of your answer, the specialized is a great bike to start with in your price range!

Wanderer

I believe that the sweet spot in that lineup is the Sport Disc. MHO

GDive

+1 See if your local bike shop can get you a 2014 Sport Disc and get closer to your budget.

superdodoz

Plan to ride at Forrest Preserve Bike Trail, Streets. - Thanks.

superdodoz

I'm really new so I don't have any idea the diff. between a regular disc and sports disc, I guess there is a $150-$200 difference. but interested to know the advantage of having a sport disc if it's worth to justify. It's on sale right now so I still have few more days to decide. Specialized Crosstrail Disc - Kozy's Chicago Bike Shops | Chicago Bike Stores, Bicycles, Cycling, Bike Repair

swoodjr1

Agreed! And the 2015 is my favorite color!

Wanderer

Sport Disc - Better brakes, hydraulic brakes, 9 spd rear, sealed wheel bearings, better derailleurs, better shifters, better crank, those are all plusses of the Sport and well worth the $170 difference in price.. MHO

travbikeman

I got my 2015 Sport Disc for only $710 on sale. The largest differences between the two is you get hydraulic brakes, the upgrade to the derailleurs, which I'm finding works nicely. I like the Alivio M4000. It shifts well with the Acera shifters and the front derailleur. You also get a better gear range with the cassette.

I think everything else, besides colors are essentially the same.

travbikeman

Ah, I didn't realize there was a different crankset. Thanks!

travbikeman

Now the pictures on Specialized site, is rather strange. The Crosstrail disc, not the sport in the color white, shows one crankset that is listed, but if you look at the black one up close, it's crankset is the same as the Crosstrail sport disc.

howardv

I'll chime in here as a newbie. Not sure what you guys mean by "Sport Disc bike". I presume you mean bikes with disc brakes. Personally, I prefer the old cantilever brakes over disc brakes on a regular bike. More serious riders (road & mountain) can benefit from disc brakes, but I don't think it's for the average rider. My first mountain bike had the Juicy 3 disc brakes. It squeaked and was difficult to work on (complicated since it was hydraulic). I really didn't see much benefit to it over the old v-brakes. V-brakes are simple! And they do an excellent job for the average joe.

My current mountain bike (Yeti full suspension) has the Shimano disc brakes and I love 'em! Really performs well on very steep hills. But that's an expensive bike meant for performance. When I was shopping for a bike for my sister to ride to work (about 4 miles each way), I purposely stayed away from anything with a disc brake. She's not a serious rider, doesn't go on long steep hills, and probably will never exceed 15-20 mph. So for the average person, specially those who want to spend less than $500, I recommend staying away from bikes with disc brakes. Specially since these bikes will have the cheaper (and most likely non-hydraulic) disc brakes.

BTW, I ended up getting my sister a used Specialized Expedition. She loves it! And I can adjust everything on it for her in under 5 minutes

Wanderer

MHO, disc brakes are the future of bicycle braking, and they are absolutely awesome stoppers. At this time, disc brakes have improved dramatically, and I always recommend them when I can.

Besides, the OP was specifically asking the difference of those two models - Specialized Crosstrail Disc, and Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc.

I agree, V brakes are very good - just not as good or as dependable as good disc systems. Another plus, is no wear on the rims.

ModeratedUser17082018

I give high priority to buying from a bike shop that I like. I have a Specialized Sport Disc and really like it. However, there are lots of great bikes out there - great bike shops may not be as easy to find.

Grey.

Well the big thing with the Crosstrail that you're looking at is the suspension fork. If you're going to do a lot of trail riding then the suspension fork on that bike would benefit you. However if you plan to do mostly pavement riding you may be better served on a bike with a rigid fork, it will be lighter and faster. I don't know what the terrain is like at your Forest Preserve. Bikes in this price bracket with hydraulic disc brakes (like the Sport Disc) will sacrifice quality in other areas because of the cost of the brakes, and if you're not going to be riding in the wet a lot they're largely unnecessary.

Aside from that, definitely go to a Specialized dealer and try the bikes you're interested in.

travbikeman

I so agree with you on this. Went I shopped for bikes, I also shopped the shops. I bought mine from the one that I felt had the better serviced me for what I want and need.

Digital Gee

There are three or four bike shops between my home and the one that sold me my Sirrus Elite. Being fairly new to the area, I wasn't familiar with any of them. The differences were like night day and when I found College Cyclery I also found my bike. Turns out this is the oldest bike shop in Nevada, and it's a great shop. Visited twice and worked with two different employees and both were fantastic.