NormanF

Get a sprung leather saddle.

A suspension seatpost is more expensive.

Try the saddle first, like a Brooks Flyer or Brooks B-67.

ColdCase

Just a data point on rolling resistance. I have Schwalbe Marathon Almotions on my comp disk, spouse has the OEM triggers on her Ariel sport disc (same frame geometry, slightly heavier frame, and triple crankset, 20 psi more tire pressure). I have a good 50 pounds on her in body weight, however. We noticed that on even the slightest down grades, my bike is coasting and I am on the brakes where she needs to pedal to maintain speed. I was thinking it was just the body weight difference and perhaps better bearings, but today we swapped bikes for awhile and the Schwalbe bike still is coasting freely where I had to pedal to keep up on the triggers. The difference is quite noticeable, and surprised me.... the bad news is I now may have to replace her tires I'll have to check if there is a used market for those Triggers....

ColdCase

Not sure how much you weigh but the thick padding on my Serfas RX saddle soaks up bumps pretty well, especially when I'm prepared for them. I don't find myself lifting of the saddle as much as the saddle does its job. It took me awhile to trust it however, and if I tense up a bit it doesn't seem to work as well. Perhaps just keep your weight solid on it.

There is someone here that installed a CG-R seat post ($200) and raves about it.

travbikeman

Yea, I too replaced my Triggers for a more road going tire. What really amazed me is how much better I can corner now compared to before with the Triggers on. I'm still keeping the Triggers though to use when I go on trail riding.

avidone1

Yes I agree that the really big improvement is in the cornering. The rolling resistance is better too, but it's the cornering that really stands out. I love finding my line, going in fast and blasting out of the turn. Great fun.
As for the seatpost, I was wondering if anyone changed theirs. A sprung saddle is definitely not going to happen. I'm not crazy about the idea of a suspension seat post, but I do have to pay attention to the arthritis in my neck. A serious jolt can be really painful and actually lay me up for a couple of days. I wonder if carbon would absorb shock better than the stock post.

ColonelSanders

Why are you against a sprung saddle? Is it your inner weight weenie coming out?

But as Cold Case suggested, the CG-R seat post ($200) looks truly intriguing and I know various people swear by it.

Probably lighter than your current seatpost too.

avidone1

Not so much the weight oh poultry pasha, more the 'statement'
I'm 66 years old but quite fit. There may be fully sprung saddles and training wheels in my future, but I will maintain the trappings
of youth for as long as possible. Yes, that CGR looks pretty amazing. When I decide the time has come to make the switch, I believe that will be post I buy.

avidone1

I too ride a serfas RX. I actually have two. The regular Rx and the performance model which is a little thinner, narrower, and lighter. I am currently using the regular Rx because my neck arthritis has flared up a bit. Thanks for the heads up about the CG-R. It's pricey for sure, but when the time comes (and it may be sooner rather than later) when my arthritis demands I change seatposts, that will be the go to solution. My weight is not a problem, at 146 I'm no heavyweight. And yes, if I see the bumps I will rise out of the saddle and there is no problem. The problem is that I ride a lot at night. Of course the fall and winter in florida mean that I will riding in the day, but most of the years it's too hot, hence the night riding. I have a good light, but still those little hazards can creep up on me.

Natej128

Not sure if this has been answered before, but is it possible for me to replace my Suntour fork with a 445mm crown to axle rigid fork?

avidone1

I have no idea. This question might best be asked in the mechanics forum.

avidone1

Recently added these wow! what a difference. Very sticky. They pair up with my five ten sneakers for a solid foot plant. I just lift my foot on the upstroke and the pedal follows effortlessly. Has increased my speed and lessened leg fatigue. A very winning combination

naveeny1974

Just wondering, I would like to get an extra rear wheel. I have to get my current one trued. Can I use a mountain bike 29er wheel as long as the rim width is not too large say 19cm. I currently use 37cm size tires.

I know we are use 700c tires, but 29ers are 622 spec size wheels to the 700c, just wider.

I would just need to get an extra disc brake rotor and cassette.

travbikeman

Those are some nice looking pedals!

avidone1

I think 29ers will fit provided the tires aren't too wide, but your comment about the brake rotor and cassette compels me to refer you to the mechanics forum. which crosstrail do you have?

avidone1

Yes, they bring out the blue in her eyes LOL

naveeny1974

2016 Crosstrail Elite. It has a 10 speed cassette, and brake rotor, which should be rather simple. My tires are continental Top contact street tires. They are 38c size tires.

side_FX

Anyone see the Pro Disc for 2016 yet? I'm really interested to see how the brushed silver will look in person. My shop doesn't want to carry the $$$$$$ model??? No real world pics on line yet either.

ColdCase

These are nice pedals. I wanted to replace the $50 Shimano PD-A530 duals I was using as I could not get comfortable with clipless and it was awkward trying to be sure the platform side was up when I wanted the platform side. The Shimano's platform was on the small side and kinda slippery. I was going to go cheap, but these $90 RaceFace pedals have studs that screw in from the bottom side that are adjustable with washers. That way I can set the depth of my shin cuts They are a little wider and a lot longer than the OEMs, but not too big like some of the alternative pedals. They seem to be relatively light weight at 375g. I only have a 100 miles or so on them but like them so far. I chose the generic black color, however. So I'm not getting the speed benefit

avidone1

No. My lbs will also not stock the bike for the same financial reasons. It does look very striking though. I could live with a single chain ring too. In my area of Florida the only hills are the highway overpasses. Seriously, flat as a pancake.
I went with the comp disc because I wanted the M4 frame and liked the idea of only two chainrings. The only difference between the comp and the expert are the deraillers and the brakes, but the SLX groupset and shimano 447 hydraulic discs are such excellent components i really didn't see the need to spend the extra 300 bucks. The pro however takes this bike to a whole new level. I was tempted, but decided the comp was all the bike I needed. Also, I knew I was going to upgrade the tires, saddle, and pedals so it was getting up there in cost. I do admit that if the pro were a carbon frame, I would have gone for it. Even if it topped the 2k price point. that would be some bike!

avidone1

LOL, yes the blue ones are definitely faster. Seriously, I did pick up a little speed. Perhaps you didn't because you were coming from clipless whereas I was coming off the oem's

avidone1

Oh, I forgot to add that I did install the spacers on all the pins. A drop of locktite blue should keep them tight. I thought the length of the pins was a bit excessive. The pedals stick fine at the reduced height and I'm not so afraid of impaling myself on them

ColdCase

I read that the issue down the road is not so much the pins falling out, but getting them out (when one breaks). Anti-seize on the threads seems to be the recommended route, but I dunno if it makes any difference for a hybrid use case.

avidone1

I dunno but I'll let you know if it ever comes up. The blue loktite has worked well for me over the years. More will be revealed.

avidone1

Just checking the seatpost diameter is 27.2 yes?

Mattyb13

Hey all, I love that there is this thread dedicated to our Crosstrails for me to refer to. Im looking to add some items to my 2015 Expert Disc. Was going to get a 2016 but there really isn't much of an upgrade year over year so I figure Ill modify my expert some instead. PLUS I just bought the Stumpjumper FSR Elite 27.5! Looking to lighten up my cross trail some. Make it more nimble. Thinking about a carbon post, carbon bars, lighter seat, new lighter stem. Any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks guys!