mr,grumpy 

In almost new condition (never raced) for 600 bucks would you say i got a good deal?

simonaway427

If its the one I'm thinking about (Shimano 2300 8 spd, carbon fork), i'd say it isn't an outstanding deal...since they were about 900 brand new if I recall.

rpfleger

I was watching a brand new never ridden Soma Doublecross with full SRAM Rival, and Bontrager Classic wheels, it went for $809 a couple days ago. I am still kicking myself for not buying it. I think you got a great deal! My problem was I wanted a triple for touring, so I would have had to swap out a few things to get the gearing right, and the wife not looking kindly on another bike.

mr,grumpy 

It's a good deal. The bike is like new. It fits me better than my Trek 1500 (although dimensionally they are a hairs breth from each other). It makes me smile. I have to take i for a real ride tomorrow.

A GREAT deal would have been iff I had waited one more day and picked up the Jake the Snake that just came on for the same price. Could be a beaten POS though, IDK.

simonaway427

If you're convinced it was a good deal, than that's all that matters.

mr,grumpy 

Yep. I think that I did quite well. It's faster than my streeted MTB and more comfortable than my roadbike. It handled great around the city streets and trough the park. Only bike that I own that I can ride "no-hands".I'd prefer it to be 105/Ult like the 1500 but it's OK. It's kind of heavy compared to the 1500. I don't think I want to run very far with it on my shoulder, but that's for next year! Right now I just want it for around town and the mixed surface bike trails that we have in these parts. I can put my kid's seat on the back. If it will pull his trailer it's a 100% win.

El Gigante

Sounds like a great deal to me! My one and only bike at this time is a 2009 Tricross Comp that I picked up for about $1600 in August of 2010. Its super quick, even when geeked out as a commuter with racks and panniers, and really seems to soften the potholes and cracked pavement with the carbon seatpost, fork, and seatstays. Have had no issues whatsoever with over 4000 miles on it since then. Congrats and enjoy!!

mr,grumpy 

So, I have been riding this bike around for a week now, nothing too far for most of you but about as far as I normally ride. I love this bike. It is a great in-between bike as opposed to a mountain bike or road bike. In the time since I have bought it I have seen several other cross bikes, same price range, better components, pop up on the local Craigslist. Being that cross season just wrapped up here, I have a sneaking suspicion that they might have lived a lot harder life than my like-new Tricross.

simonaway427

don't mean to sound harsh, but there's a reason it wasn't raced....its not a race bike.

mr,grumpy 

Why not? What makes it "not a race bike" any more than any other entry-level cross bike?

I'll tell you what, I'm working on a race motor for it and should that be sucessful, it WILL be a race bike.

BUT

That's not really what I bought it for. I wanted a bike that I could put on the back of the car and ride whatever and wherever I found myself. The roadbike is too fragile. The MTB too heavy and, um, not fast. It can't replace them but it's sure going to cut into their playing time. Make me pick one? Tricross.

edit: Also, I think you missed the point. I was trying to be gentle. I am happier to have a like new bike than some one's cast-off clapped out POS. I'd be happier if I had a couple grand to throw at bikes too, but at MY level? No way!

side_FX

can i ask how you found the sizing? i know of a 2011 that's available for a decent price but it's like a 2 hr drive away. i would do it if i knew it fit me but it's a 56cm frame and i am trying to go by the geometry chart online to figure if it would work. I am over 6 feet tall but the stand over is a concern.

mr,grumpy 

Hum. Good question. It fits me well BUT
I have normal-short inseam and long arms. Like, they don't fit in the sleeves of a regular long-sleeve shirt. 32" inch inseam at 5'11 3/4". I find the standover of the Tricross to be similar to my 58cm Trek 1500 and my 60cm Vintage Steel Peugeot and Raleigh. I find the reach to the bars to be easier on the Tricross than on the 1500. It is perfectly comfortable. The 1500 is too long a reach for me. Again, this is strange becasue I never heard that Treks had a particularly long reach to the bars for the size. and is only 0.5 cm longer along the top-tube. Sitting side by side the drops of the Tricross sit at the level of the hoods on the 1500. I am a chubby, middle aged giy who has no racing background and spend most of my time riding a recreational MTB so take those factors into account when talking about "comfort"

djb

Im a middle aged guy , between 5'10-11, and my 54cm Tri Sport fits me perfectly with stock stem, so a 56 for you would be no problem going from my proportions, stems are easy to switch out cheaply if you really need more reach.

OP, yes I agree, they are a good mix of road bike/sport tourer with the ability to put large tires on if you want to. Rack and fender eyelets, multiple bottle attachments (3) and a triple that can take down to a 26 to replace the 30 granny, mine has a longcage LX RD with a 11-32, so close to being a tourer gearing wise.

versatile and for me, very comfortable.

not light, and the sport bare naked maybe is 25lbs, but in real life, mine is close to 30 with rear rack, fenders, water bottle and minimum flat repair gear like pump, tube, tools. The wheelset is nothing special weight wise, but have stayed true pretty much in the two seasons Ive ridden it, maybe 4000km +
I run 28 slicks on it and I like that I can ride it fastish, but also put two full panniers on it and go anywhere.