ceobob

I have had my Verve II for 2 years now. It is time to upgrade. I have come to the conclusion that I really don't need shocks. I have a back condition, so I need the upright position and handlebar position the Verve offers. The Specialized Roll has caught my interest. I am targeting the Comp X1. Was just wondering if anyone has any of the Roll models, and what they think of them.

katsup

Why are you replacing the Verve 2? Only to get a bike with no front shocks?

Korax

Check the Roll thread here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...omp-elite.html

There's also a good roll thread at mtbr

canklecat

It may not be as much of a change as you'd expect.

I test rode a good used Verve last year when I resumed cycling after many years away. Nice bike but it sold before I decided. I got a Globe Carmel instead, very similar (although the Verve has better components). I've ridden the heck out of that Carmel for the past year, up to 300 miles a month since this spring. Last weekend I rode my age, my longest ride yet -- well, I went a little over at 63 miles.

I knew the spring suspension fork was using up some energy, but I really enjoyed the comfortable ride. I still plan to ride it wherever I anticipate rough pavement or gravel. Neck and back injuries will always limit me from a conventional road bike with drop bars.

But after a year I was curious to know whether I could handle a rigid fork bike. Didn't want to spend much money to find out, so I bought a good used Univega, an early version of a hybrid bike. Really, just a relaxed geometry road bike frame with flat bars. Nowadays it wouldn't be considered much of a hybrid.

The first four rides were miserable. My neck was aching, and even my hands and wrists were hurting. I could feel every jolt through the fork into my neck.

So I swapped handlebars. The slightly upright riser bars from the Globe Carmel are now on the Univega. The Carmel now wears the flat bars from the Univega, with the quill stem raised a bit. Now both bikes have bars about 2" above saddle height. That's about as low as I can handle. And both are just about perfect.

I can enjoy the Univega with rigid fork on fairly smooth pavement, and have ridden up to 42 miles in a single day, with some breaks along the way. And the Globe Carmel feels more efficient than ever -- the flat bars give me more leverage climbing hills, without sacrificing comfort over 20-60 mile rides (again, with breaks along the way).

The Univega is lighter, maybe 27 lbs or so, compared with around 35 lbs for the Globe.

But you know what? When I compare data I'm not a bit faster on the Univega. The lighter frame, rigid fork, etc., did absolutely nothing for my speed. It *feels* lighter. I *feel* faster, especially climbing hills. But I'm not actually any faster.

And the modified Carmel with suspension fork is still more comfortable, while being more efficient and less tiring to ride over long distances.

So, long story short, you might consider a much different bike from that Specialized Roll if you're really wanting a significantly different riding experience and either faster rides, or less tiring rides at the same speed and energy expended.

ceobob

I have been riding my Verve II for a long time. Decided to go for a road bike because I wanted to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge. I went to my LBS and got professionally fit for the new road bike. I rode it for about 3 weeks. No matter what adjustments were made, I had chronic pain in my lower back, neck, and even my feet.

Lower back issues have been with me ever since my young days. My LBS was nice enough to take the bike back. I jumped back on my Verve, and then.......no pain what so ever. I have come to the conclusion that I need a bike very similar to the Verve upright position. I don't want to do a Fitness type bike like the Sirrus Elite. Even though those bikes don't put me in as an aggressive position as the road bike, they still cause issues for me.

I guess I am just bored, and I want a new hybrid bike. I have read many posts on front shocks on hybrid bikes. Some say the shocks are gimmicks, some say they are legit. Most of my rides are on paved trails. Few bumps here and there, but nothing bad. I have been caught in the rain many times. So to have disc breaks will be an extra bonus. My rides range from 10-40 miles at a time. The weight isn't as important to me as the comfort is. I am going to take a Roll Comp X1 for a test ride at my LBS. I will pay very close attention to my body position and will go over some bumps as well.

ColonelSanders

Have you looked at the Specialized Crossroads Elite?

It has a carbon fork and the kind of frame design that should cater to your needs.

Whilst it does lack disc brakes, it looks like it would be a much faster bike than the Roll and in particular be a much better bike for making it up hills.

ceobob

That looks sweet. I do hills all the time too. It is tough to tell if the Crossroads has the same upright position that the Roll and the Verve has. Thanks for link. Disc brakes are not a deal breaker.

I think I will call Specialized and talk to them about the two models. I am not sure that my local LBS has a Crossroad in stock though. Will have to check. Thanks again....

ColonelSanders

The handlebars on the Crossroads are a fair bit higher than the seat, so it should be quite similar to the Verve.

The Roll looks like one would pop a wheelie as soon as you approached a hill, due to how slack the seat tube angle is, so I would imagine the Roll would be a terrible climber.

ceobob

Just checked out a Youtube Crossroad video here:

This looks like a lower model, but it still looks pretty good. This might be the model for me.

ColonelSanders

The test ride will reveal all.

They don't sell the Crossroad in Australia, so it has never been a bike that I have been particularly aware of, but even from that video, it does look pretty handy actually and I am surprised it is not a better known model in the Specialized line up.

What was interesting in that video was that the guy seemed to regard the Crossroad as being quicker than the Giant Cypress, and as the Cypress is a bike with quite a few fans, that is a promising sign.

Korax

The Roll climbs hills very well, thank you. And I've owned roadbikes and traditional hybrids along with the Roll. And despite its looks it can be a fast bike, especially if you pump up the tires close to the max. For me it was way more comfy
than the Crossroads.

ColonelSanders

Maybe you climb hills very well on any bike?

Does geometry no longer matter?

Korax

Nope im not very strong and yes its surpising. (It is geared on the low side and i have ergon bar end grips so that helps) On paper and on looks the bike shouldnt perform the way it does, but Ive owned one for 4 months and its an amazing bike. There are roll owners out there riding these things 20 and 30 miles in hilly conditions. Read the roll threads here and on mbtr to hear from owners! Cheers!

Browneye

We just got a Crossroads Elite (for me) and a Roll Sport (for her).
Both really comfy and nice bikes, coming from '05 vintage Trek FX's.

The Crossroads is definitely a higher performing bike. Still very comfortable too.

I chose it over everything else for it's 45mm tires, relaxed ergos, decent gearsets, and modern design. So far so good. Oh, and linear pull brakes have never been an issue for me, but then we don't ride in the rain. There are SO many comments about cheapo disk systems just not being worth it. And cheapo suspension forks - foggedaboudit.

RTbar

Awesome, pics?

Browneye

Photo op this weekend - first ride.
Wife had only test rode hers at the shop parking lot so wasn't quite sure. She took it out twice today for some errands and now raving about it!

Browneye

You know, that's the first thing I thought when I test rode the Roll - it's all great 'till you gotta climb a grade with it. On some bikes you can hunker down and get to it, but this thing the bars are really up there like ape hangers.

Really though, unless you put 25psi in the tires they are easy roll, and the bike is modern other than the ergos - gears and brakes, aluminum frame so it's pretty light, and it does pedal really easily.

I wouldn't want to ride it 30 miles of hilly terrain, but I could see a younger more athletic person doing so. And it is really comfortable. It's not gonna be any speed demon either, but hey, that doesn't matter to a lot of folks - certainly not I, just not a group roadie rider, and certainly not the wife - she just does not like to go fast. To me it's a perfect bike-path bike, even gravel paths, soaks up the bumps, easy riding pace and watch the scenery go by.

I call it a modern beach cruiser on steroids.

ColonelSanders

I have never ridden the Roll, but I would imagine everything you just said would indeed be the case in respect of it.

Browneye

Okay, since you like pics...

First bike ride today on the new bikes, about 12 miles of the Santa Ana River trail, up to Yorba Park and back, and the first trip with the last of our pomeranians - we have one of three left -Gracie has outlived them all. She really likes going too, and the Roll is way better for 12lbs of dog on the front of the bike. Much easier to ride than the standard FX hybrid bike she had before.

She also said minimal hand numbness and I'm sure that was from too hard of a grip from being nervous about the dog - will only get better from here (death grip). Both of us were less fatigued on our bikes so I know we did well. We averaged about 10-12mph so our pace was pretty slow - all the road bikes were zooming past.

We're in our 50's, Gracie is about 14. We worry about her old age but she's in pretty good shape for a dog.







Specialized CrossRoad Elite, L frame:

ceobob

Thanks so much for the pics. To funny...both of your bikes are the one's I am deciding on. It is nice to see them side by side. Without test driving them, just from sight, it looks like the Crossroads is for me. The roll looks like more of a cruiser bike. I am looking for something a little quicker while maintaining the upright position of my Verve II. I am not sure if it is the tires or the frame, but the Roll looks huge compared to the Crossroads.

The "modern beach cruiser" quote above describes the Roll perfectly. I need something that has the potential of being pretty quick, nimble, and can handle the hills all while keeping me comfortable.

One question. How does the Crossroads FACT carbon forks handle the bumps?

ColonelSanders

Great pics.

What a shame that Specialized doesn't sell the Crossroads in Australia, it would then have a killer two prong assault against the Trek FX, with the Crossroad and Sirrus range.

Korax

Just a side note - Trek redesigned the Verve for 2017 - removed the suspension fork, so its very similar to Crossroads now. Spesh did the same with the CR a couple years ago. Also looks like S discontinued the Expedition. Maybe a trend away from suspension on utility/rec bikes.

ceobob

OH NO! This just made my choice more difficult.

As soon as I thought I made up my mind, the 2017 Verve comes up. Any idea when it will be released?

ceobob

It is on the trek website:
Verve 3 | Trek Bikes

LOOKS SWEET!

ColonelSanders

It does lack a carbon fork, so you would have to weigh up whether the lower price of the Verve 3 is worth that over the Crossroads Elite.