Originally Posted by archermd
niles
unless i missed something, and being new to this, that is a real possibility...
the chainstay length listed on the spec website states the tricross comp and sport ar the same, 440mm
the sirrus and sequopia are both shorter than that
so all things being equal, any other advice?
do you think the lbs would get me one of each to ride?
i have been our on a sirrus and a sequoia and about to try a tricross expert double that belongs to one of the staff of the lbs
this is a difficult decision
and i agree, it seems for me, being chubby and a newbie, that wider tires is a key factor
and everyone says wide tires with drop bars may be a good option
certainly drop bars give me more hand position choices, and on a more upright riding bike that would be a nice set up as far as i can tell
so seems the tricross is my bike, but i am open to any and all advice
i wonder why more folks are not seeking a similar configuration
perhaps i am focused on the wrong things(s)?
It's been a while since I looked at these bikes, but I thought the sport had longer chainstays (you could always measure them...).
I also remember it having good rack mounts front and rear, and hearing that Specialized had designed it to be more comfortable, and better for touring. (Unlike their other Tricross bikes, which were designed more for aggressive or competitive riding.)
You might find (probably will find) that having the bars higher rather than lower will suit you better. There are various ways of achieving this; bike shops should be able to help.
Some people will disagree, but I think you will find wider tires more to your liking. You can always try them and see.
***
Some of the fit information on the Rivendell website is very useful for achieving a good, comfortable fit (as a recreational rider) (many other fit systems are oriented more toward a competitive riding position, which is not what you want at this point).
(My one real disagreement with Rivendell's fit philosophy is that they go for slightly larger frames than optimal; bgcycles.com has a better approach to frame sizing and seat tube height. If you have a choice between a bike that seems a little big, and a bike that seems a little small (or just right), go for the latter -- you'll probably be happier in the long run. Not everyone shares this approach; but I've tried it all three ways, and I'm not the only one who finds it distinctly better. You can test them out yourself, with an open mind, and see how it feels in your own experience....)