Now that I have finished customizing my crosstrail comp, I find it both very comfortable and impressively agile.
I confess that the changes were mostly designed to increase comfort, but the handling has also considerably improved. I think.....
By that I mean, I'm not sure how much was inherent to the stock bike, or how much is a result of the mods.
The most significant changes were done shortly after purchase so comparison is difficult.
They were.........swapping out the stock road/trail tires for Schwalbe marathon supremes, which is a road touring tire.
I also changed the stem to raise the handle bar from about even with the seat to a little above.
Other changes that I made might seem to be contrary to popular wisdom regarding agile handling, they were
swapping the thinner narrower specialized targa saddle for a selle smp trekking model, and replacing the seatpost with a Thudbuster ST.
The other changes I made that I think improved agility was swapping out the stock nylon platform pedals for raceface pedals with pins. very sticky.
I also replaced the stock grips with ergon GP4's with have bar ends,
The crosstrail comp comes with specialized's M4 frame which is a stiffer aluminum than the usual A1 frame.
The stiffer frame should add to agility as well.
Anyway.... because of my neck arthritis I have to be careful about being jolted by potholes etc. so I experimented with locking and unlocking the fork.
I found no difference in handling at all between the fork being locked or not. I now ride with the fork unlocked at all times to protect my neck from injury.
the bike handles beautifully. I love how quickly I can avoid hazards, cut corners, stay on my chosen line etc.
Is it the geometry of the bike, the stiffer frame, or the mods that made my bike such an agile handling for a full blown hybrid?
Interested to hear your thoughts?