Specialized Tricross sport vs. Fuji cross comp
 

I'm planning on doing my first 'cross race in a few weeks.

I currently have a Tricross Sport that I purchased last December. I bought it because it was the first 'cross bike that I found in a shop that fit me. I've ridden the bike a lot on and off road and it has served me well. One thing that I liked about the bike was that is has eyelets to attach racks and appears that I could use it for touring. I even sold my Trek 520 touring bike.
One thing that I don't like about the bike is that it is pretty heavy. I always figured that the frame weight was reasonable but that the bigger wheels and tires were what made it so heavy. Well, a few weeks ago I threw a pair of road wheels on there to see the difference and it was still prettyy heavy. I don't know how much the tricross frame weighs but I'm guessing now that it weighs quite a bit more than I originally suspected.
Another thing that I'm not too thrilled with the Tricross is the 45cm chainstays. I think that they're simply too long and that maybe I could get better traction going up steep climbs with shorter chainstays. I think that 43cm would be ideal as that would still allow me room to put on panniers and not hit my heels.

A couple of days ago I was in a shop and saw the Fuji cross comp. It seemed to be a nice bike at a good price, $850. Fuji claims that the frame weight is only 3.3 pounds. The bike definitely felt lighter than my tricross. So now I'm driving myself crazy thinking about selling the tricross to buy the fuji. The fuji has eyeletes for a rear rack although I probably couldn't put a front rack on with the fork that comes with it. Also the fuji has 43cm chainstays.

What do you guys think about these two bikes? Any recomendations on which one might serve me better? I will be racing this season and I might go on a tour someday.

As for your weight concerns, the Fuji website lists the Cross Comp at 21.6 lbs. I've read where the Tricross Sport is 24 lbs. So, Fuji wins there. And if climbing is important to you, then by all means the shorter stays are better. The Fuji has a bit more aggressive geometry than the Tricross, so test it's handling before buying. May not be as good a tourer as the Tricross, but like you said, someday...

So lighter weight, better spec and cheaper to boot. What's not to like? Oh yeah, the Tricross has a carbon seatpost, the Fuji doesn't! :D

BTW the 07 Tricross Comp goes way upspec and price too...

So, is that carbon seatpost on the Tricross another selling point for the Fuji? My Tricross seatpost makes occasional loud pops when crossing rough stuff. Sorta like a carbon aircraft component somewhere just above limit load.

I can't say I'm a real big fan of carbon on bikes...

2.4 pounds between the two bikes. Not much to consider really. If I was you, I'd get a set of cross wheels for racing that are fairly light weight and be done with it. You'll easily drop the 2-3 pounds with a nicer wheelset/cassette. The other heavy components are the crank and bottom bracket. Not sure it'd be worth changing them until they wear out. Can't see where 2 cm will make that huge of a difference in climbing either. Technique may make up for that.

Unless you have some disposable income you're wanting to rid yourself of, I wouldn't bother. Just get some better wheels and tires and you'll be fine.

Frame weight really isn't that big of a deal. Rotational weight is where you want to focus. The static weight of the frame and components can easily and much cheaper be dropped by losing a few pounds off your carcass.

Yeah. Consider: Sell the Tricross for $500 and buy the Fuji for $850? Or buy a $350 wheelset? *drool*

Dear gobes:

Just get a Tricross Comp. I realize this is significantly more than you would like to spend, and I remember my own sticker shock only too well, but it will pay you back many times over, in gas, in future upgrades you will not have to do, as well as in fun.

Good Luck and ride safe

SF

Somehow this thread got revived. I created this thread nearly 3 years ago.

In the meantime... after I started racing I wanted a lighter bike and bought a Trek XO2. The XO2 was a lot lighter than the tricross sport, 18.5 lbs. When racing it felt noticeably lighter especially when going up runups but my results were the same. The bike didn't make me any faster.
I preferred the way that the tricross handled and after another year I ended up buying another tricross sport and haven't regretted it. It's a very versatile bike... I still own the trek. Last year I raced only ss on a singlespeed tricross. Compared to the trek the tricross corners better and smooths out the bumps a little better. When racing season comes this year I haven't decided if I'll race the trek again or the tricross with some lighter wheels. I'm leaning towards the tricross.

I am thinking about getting the Tricross Comp. Is it worth the extra cash over the Sport version? I am going to be using it for Randonneuring / fast touring.

The main difference between the two is 9 speed vs 10 speed. The Tiagra shifter has the old shape as the 105 shifter has the new shape. Some like the old shape better and some like the new. The Sport has 11-32 vs the Comp's 11-28. For loaded touring, I like have a 32 cog as a bailout gear on the climb. 9 speed components tend to be a little cheaper if you are to replace them and the chain tends to last a little longer than 10 speed because 9 speed chain is not as narrow. My gf has Tiagra on her Cannondale and has no problem at all for the past 3000 miles.

Haha, no, there are quite a few differences between the two instead of just the number of gears.

The level of the bike is just higher period. The frame, the fork, wheels, the components are all a step up. Noticeably so. I have had both a Sport and a Comp at the same time and there is a significant increase in quality between the two. I didn't notice much difference between the Comp and the Expert, which I owned both at the same time as well, but the Sport is much lower quality than the Comp. For fast touring (credit card touring) the Comp should suit you just fine and be a much livelier ride.

Wow this sure is a thread that lasts forever. Spanning 5 years in 10 posts.

lets make it 11...

Haku, I got a Sport last year, Melony's comments on the differences are very good regarding the gearing. I use mine pretty much all the time on the road, very similarly to what your intentions. Have 28 slicks on it and have done mulitday lightly loaded trips on it and am very happy with it as a day-long ride bike. Part of that is due to the fact that it fits me very well, I come from a touring background (numerous 1 month long trips) and the Tricross fits me better than my touring bike. I too got it specifically because of the 32 cassette, and also know that if I were to tour with it fully loaded (yes, I know its not a tourer, gotta be careful of load on the carbon fork) I could change the 30 tooth granny to a 26 or something and end up with a good, mountainy terrain gear-inch low gear.)

as Knob says, the Comp is going to be a much better bike, here in Canada the Sport was $1400 and the Comp was a good $2200, past what I was willing to spend so while Knob is right, unfortunately it wasnt an option for me (I purposely didnt test ride a Comp, not to be even tempted)

lets face it, I'm sure I would be happy as a clam on a $2500 or $3k bike, but I have also been happy as a clam on the Sport. It was a big step up from my touring bike for liveliness, avg speed, ease of climbing, and as a bonus it's more comfortable all day long , day after day also , so Im happy with it.

I really do see Cross bikes as great bikes that are really versatile bikes. Some people see that as a dirty word, for the compromises, but I don't.

I put a deposit on a 2011 Tricross Sport and was supposed to have picked it up yesterday from Kozy (South Loop - Chicago). However, there was recall on those bikes pertaining to the chrome fork brake's holder. Specialized has recommended for anyone to not ride the bike and go to their nearest dealer immediately for replacement. I pleaded to just let me have the bike anyway and take my chances and come back when the replacement is available. However, they told me that they can't in good conscience let me walk out with a bike that has that kind of recall.

Well, Kozy did not have any other cross bikes available in my size anywhere in the Chicago area. So I had to get my deposit back.

Short story, I went to Performance Bike last night and was drawn to the 2010 Comp with it's great price and they just so happen to have the size I wanted in stock. Right now they have a sale for $807 ($949 listed - 15% ending today).

So far after about 35 miles riding the bike in town and 11 this morning to work, I am loving the Comp. It has the same problem as the Tricross Sport - toe overlap with the front tire, but I worked around that. I think most bike with 52cm frames will have the same geometry.

I don't know about the carbon seat post being better, but yes it does feel a bit rough on my bum when I'm going through cracks (pardon the puns) on the street with alloy post on the Comp. But then again, I worked around that and just stand up when going through rough terrains.

I think either of these bikes are great. The recall actually works out for the better for me and bought a last year's Fuji Comp model for less than $900.
Given the choice and the time availability , I would've chosen the Specialized Tricross Sport. And maybe waited for the 2012 model to become available in October. But I couldn't wait and needed a bike for this weekend.

Enjoy the Fuji CC, I've had the same bike for almost a year now and fortunately was able to get a similar deal from my LBS last year. Bit of a rough ride but that can likely be improved with some upgraded parts.