trainchaser

Specialized has a "New 2016 Men's" section on the US site and under the Crosstrail section shows some minor changes to the lineup from the entry level Crosstrail through to the Comp. They've fiddled and tweaked the componentry on all these bikes and for the Comp they've replaced the XT rear derailleur with the SLX, the brakes are Shimano BB447 instead of BB446 and there's a visible change up on the handlebar area but I can't tell what the difference is. We'll have to wait until they update the spec charts.
Now that I see the 2016 tweak to the Comp I'm happy that I got my 2015 with the XT rear derailleur.

cheers!

OH, here's a link for you: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...rail-comp-disc

ColonelSanders

That is really disappointing that they downgraded the rear derailleur.

Perhaps too many people were choosing the Comp over the Expert.

Here are some specs. Front derailleur chosen is unclear.

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/hy...disc/102716180

[h=2]Specifications[/h]
FRAME Specialized M4 Premium Aluminum, Fitness Geometry, fully-manipulated butted tubing w/ smooth welds, internal cable routing, tapered/integrated headset, post disc mount, fender/rack mounts
FORK Custom SR Suntour NCX, custom Multi-Circuit Damping, custom coil/MCU spring weights, 50mm travel, integrated remote hydraulic lockout lever, mag lowers, Cr-Mo stanchions, post disc mount
HEADSET FSA, Campy style, integrated cartridge bearings
STEM Specialized, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise
HANDLEBARS Specialized, flat bar, double-butted 6061 alloy, 10-degree backsweep, 31. 8mm
GRIPS Specialized Body Geometry XC Contour, Kraton w/ gel, lock-on, closed end
FRONT BRAKE Shimano BR-M447, hydraulic disc, resin pads, 160mm rotor
REAR BRAKE Shimano BR-M447, hydraulic disc, resin pads, 160mm rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano, hydraulic
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano, top swing, dual pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano SLX Shadow, 10-speed
SHIFT LEVERSShimano SLX, 10-speed
CASSETTE Shimano, 10-speed, 11-36t
CHAIN KMC X10, 10-speed, w/ reusable MissingLink
CRANKSET Specialized Stout SL, 44/32T, w/ chainguard
BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed external cups
PEDALS Alloy, w/ reflectors
RIMS Alloy, double-wall, disc
FRONT HUB Specialized, Hi Lo disc, QR, 32h
REAR HUB Specialized, Hi Lo disc, QR, 32h
SPOKES Stainless, 14g
FRONT TYRE Specialized Trigger Sport, 60TPI, BlackBelt protection, 700x38mm
REAR TYRE Specialized Trigger Sport, 60TPI, BlackBelt protection, 700x38mm
INNER TUBES Standard, Schrader valve
SADDLE Body Geometry Targa Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, SWAT compatible mounts, 155mm

Doctor Morbius

Maybe they've also lowered the price.

ColdCase

Unless they changed the rims, they are carrying forward the schrader/presta valve error

badger1

Now, this is interesting. This 63 yr/old has been mulling over this bike (Crosstrail Expert or Comp) for a while now. I've been able to do some decent test rides, and really like the geometry/fit/handling. I'm also a Giant fan, but Specialized's flat bar/mountain geometry just suits me better.

Looking at the U.S. site description: yes, the rear derailleur is dropped to SLX. To me, not an issue. What is significant, to my mind, is this:

"Custom air sprung fork features our Multi-Circuit Damping technology to eliminate any "pogo" effect over its 50mm of travel. This means that its hydraulic damped suspension and rebound will effectively smooth out bumpy or rough terrain."

If accurate (note that the Aussie site ColonelS quotes still uses the '15 fork description), Specialized has finally used its buying power to up-rate the suspension on the M4-level Crosstrails from coil to air. If true, I'm really interested in this bike.

Over-age bike dork afterthought: if Specialized produces a 2016 'Expert' version with XT drivetrain and Rockshox Paragon fork, I'm in. Are you listening, BigS?

ColonelSanders

Nice pick up.

Swapping the XT derailleur for a SLX is a fair exchange when you then get an air sprung fork.

I'm wondering if the Crosstrail will be sold in the Expert version this year?

They didn't include it in their new 2016 bikes with the rest of the Crosstrails.

travbikeman

I've never ridden or even tried a bike with air suspension. How different is it compared to coil?

trainchaser

Hmmm...the guys at my LBS say there's no change in the front shocks from this year's to the new ones, when specifically asked about being "air sprung" say the redesigned shocks with 'multi-circuit damping' on the upper line Crosstrails all incorporate an air chamber, that is evidently one of the 'circuits' of the 'multi-circuit design, the others being hydraulic and spring...

I tried to check online and have found precious little info on the topic, so that's why I asked the guys at my shop who rip bikes apart and put them back together for a living - figured they might have the best info based on actual experience, plus, being a Specialized Specialty Retail bike store the guys have taken maintenance courses from Specialized, and appeared to know what they were talking about...

Cheers!

badger1

Good to know. If that is true, the blurb re. the '16 on the U.S. Specialized site is a bit misleading. "Air sprung" usually means (certainly in mtb circles) just that: an air rather than coil spring. Suntour makes lots of higher-level 'trekking' forks with air ... none that I'm aware of combine air and coil springs. It's possible, I suppose, that they are using positive coil/negative air + hydraulic rebound. We shall see.

badger1

Advantages:
1. Lower weight;
2. More (and typically more accurately) adjustable for load (i.e. rider weight).

Disadvantage:
Relies on really good seals; can take a little more maintenance.

trainchaser

...ok, I had a mini brain wave regarding the shock question and googled Suntour, long story short, found the info on NCX front forks. They're listed as 'trekking forks' and the ones that appear to match what are on the Comp and Expert go by the designation NCX-E-Air RL 700. The data sheet listing for spring on the shock says 'air/spring'. Interesting thing is when you look at the actual data, it lists the right and left sides of the fork individually. On the right side it says: RL (remote speed lock out) On the left side: Air.
I looked at the glossary they have for shocks and there's nothing remotely similar to what we have on our bikes. All the air shocks they show are for MTB's and have adjustable settings at the top of the fork and can be locked out either remotely or manually. There are no adjustments for the NCX shocks, they're either on or locked out.
I also read somewhere an article talking about Specialized taking these shocks and doing their own modifications to them. If you look at the top of the shock where the remote lock out is, you'll see that it has the sticker saying "Multi-Circuit Damping by Specialized". So after doing more snooping I'd say the shocks on these bikes have been tweaked either for or by Specialized specifically for these bikes.
Anyway, just more for all of us to spend our time pondering...

Cheers!

ColdCase

They seem to be updating their site one or two bikes at a time. Just because on bike is missing doesn't mean there won't be a 2016. The crosstrail was added last week but not much in the way of specs, other MTBs have been there for a month with full specs. The Ariel has new colors. The 2015-2016 comp forks are identical however.

badger1

Hi Trainchaser,

Yes and no! Suntour is a huge company; they are particularly big players in Europe, not so much here. Anyway ... the NCX is a chassis designation for one of their several trekking forks: magnesium lowers, chromo stanchions.

If you look at their site, you'll see 15 or 20 variations on this chassis. Suntour uses modular/cartridge construction. In the case of a fork like the NCX, the spring can be either air or coil -- there are models for both. In either case, it is in one leg. The damping (it's a cartridge in the other leg) is hydraulic, but is non-adjustable as you say -- effective, nevertheless. What Specialized probably means when they refer to custom/Multicircuit damping is that they've specified particular properties for the hydraulic damping (could be done through oil weight, for example), and for the elastomers in the spring leg (these work together with the coil spring). All good. What you won't see in an NCX is both air and coil.

So, the 2016 blurb reference to "air spring" is either a mistake, or correct. I hope the latter -- we shall see!

Mattyb13

Man am I glad I got the 2015 Crosstrail Expert Disc if there is indeed no Expert version for 2016!

ColonelSanders

Yep, you definitely have one of the best mountain bike inspired hybrids that any of the big manufacturers have released.

I am jelly.

trainchaser

On their site the Expert is still shown, this thread is regarding announced changes to the Crosstrails lineup for 2016. If you go to the Specialized site you'll see at the top of the 'Bikes' page a heading for "New 2016 Men's", they list all changes to the entire lineup, so it would appear that there are no changes to the Expert. I'm glad I got the 2015 Comp as it has the same XT rear derailleur as the Expert, while the SLX version may not be that much lower in quality or performance, it just makes me "feel better". The other changes to the Comp seem quite minimal and most likely have more to do with what's available in the supply chain from Shimano...

Mattyb13

Good catch Trainchaser. Thank you.

ColdCase

The "new for 2016" Specialized US site page is called "2016-early-launch-bikes". It only includes those 2016 bikes set for early launch and whats new about them. Seems like every week one or two more are added, but it does not include all the 2016 bike offerings. So far the US expert is not listed for early launch and there is no price or details for the US comp model. There are some new colors in the rest of the Crosstrail line. Other regional sites may vary.

avidone1

I agree that not including the expert in the "2016" section is a bit confusing. It may mean that there are no changes, but then it may also mean that they discontinued it.
One might consider it being too high priced for a hybrid, but I decided the other day that I wanted one and no one had one in stock. When I agreed to let my local lbs order one they called me back and told me that the 2015's were out of stock and the 2016's hadn't come out yet. They took my info and said they expected to be able to place my order "any day now" but as of yet, no call back.....kinda makes ya wonder.

ColdCase

Yeah, when I placed my order for the comp disk a month ago there were 5 in the specialized warehouse, one on the east coast, 4 on the west. There was only one expert out west. My LBS didn't stock them because they didn't think the dual chainring would sell on a hybrid. Shops in Boston had them in stock.

The Ariel sport disk in indigo was also sold out, but we managed to find one on another LBS's floor.

avidone1

As for the elite disc it seems that they upgraded the brakes to Shimano BR 395 from BRM-355 with no price increase.
Kinda makes ya wonder what the trade off might be. I like the color scheme on the elite disc and can upgrade it if I feel the need.
I may be in a lucky position here. there is a 2015 at a LBS that I can grab if I don't like any changes to the newer model, but if everything
else stays the same. the "free" upgraded brakes will be a bonus.

avidone1

I find it curious that on the "2016' page for crosstrails all the models have prices listed EXCEPT the comp disc.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a price hike and the expert discontinued.

avidone1

do any of the current crosstrail models have internal cable routing?
Seems like a nice touch for the higher priced editions

ColonelSanders

Only the Expert & Comp disc.

trainchaser

The Expert and the Comp are an entirely different frame from the rest of the Crosstrail lineup. They're made from an 'M4' aluminum alloy whereas the others are an 'A1' alloy, along with the internal cable routing and the double chainrings there is a very discernible difference in weight between the frames. Several of us in this thread have experience with both frames and can attest to the differences.