Sock

Been all over the place (bike model wise) in my search for a new commuter/weekend road bike. Looking for a bike that I can do a 46 mile (roundtrip) commute on a couple times a week and do some 50 mile+ road rides on weekends. I'll spare the long list of bikes I have looked at. I have pretty much decided on a Specialized Tricross. Some of the deciding factors include - fairly light, decent components, rides nice and is very rack/fender friendly. Biggest problem I had was finding bikes set up to take racks and fenders.

Here is my dilema. 2006 bikes are very limited supply and 2007 are not out yet. I found a 58cm that seems like it could work but the fit expert at LBS thinks a 61 would be better. No 2006 61's to be had so can't try one on. The specs have changed on the Tricross Comp and the price is going up $300 on the 2007. The main change I'm unsure on is the gearing. The 2006 is a compact double 48/34 with a 9 speed 12-25 cassette. The 2007 is a triple 50/39/30 with a 10 speed 12-27 cassette. Some other changes are -

Frame material: (I could post the exact descriptions) sounds better
Brakes: from shimano BR550 to Avid Shorty 4
Handlebars: from racing drop to short reach drop/ergonomic top shaping


I kinda like the idea of the compact double. My rides are relativey flat with some hills, not too steep or terribly long. Not sure if I should wait to try the 2007 for fit. If it's too big a good chance the 2006 58 may be gone. I'm not sure I'm getting that much for the extra $300 and as I said not sure I want the triple.

I know it's a personal choice but I'd welcome any comments on the 2006 vs the 2007. I can post more specifics on the specs if necessary.

Thanks

Grizzattack

The new 2007 Specialized Dealer catalog is in at my LBS (Lee’s: Fort Collins, CO) and I got a chance to take a peak at the all new Tricross. I don’t have all the details so I will report the bits and pieces I remember:

This years Tricross will come in three versions, Sport, Comp, and Expert. (Not sure about the S-works all carbon version I have heard about?)

Frame: The Sport model very much resembles the current 2006 Sport with a Carbon fork and aluminum frame. The Comp and Expert however now includes carbon seatstays.

Components: The major change is that the Comp and Expert now have a 10-speed ultegra rear derailer with a triple crank on the front for a total of 30 gears to choose from. The comp features an array of Shimano 105, while the expert will have more ultegra goodies. The comp's Cranks are Truvativ Rouleur.

Wheels: the Comp and Expert will continue to use the same beautiful Roval Hubs that the '06 Comp offered.

Colors: The Comp is offered in “Black Sand” which resembled a matte black which looks sharp. The Sport and Expert where in matte brown and olive. I don’t remember which had which.

I am in a similar situation too. Its not a good time of year to be buying a '06 model. I cant find a 58cm Tricross anywhere. However I'm stoked on the '07. According to my dealer the '07 is avaliable for purchase now so thats what I am sold on. Good luck.

jimmuter

I am in the exact situation you are in. I opted to wait for the 2007 as bike fit is so important. My '07 is on order and will hopefully be here soon. If I'm spending that much on a bike, I want the fit to be great. My bike shop also had a 58cm in stock, but the 61 will fit better. I actually like the idea of the triple chainring as that's what I'm accustomed to. Patience paid off this time.

chakup

I decided to spend the extra $$ and wait for an '07.

Out of curiosity what kind of price you guys getting??

Pizza Man

I was thinking of grabbing an '06 Tricross Comp for $1299 (currently on sale here).
That's $100 less than the '07 Felt F1X at my LBS.

Sock

No discounts here .

$1500 for the 2006
$1800 for the 2007
$1450 for the 2006 Felt F1X which I also looked and and liked but doesn't seem as "rack friendly" as the Tricross.

I have pretty much decided to wait on the 2007. Need to stop by LBS and put a deposit down to make sure they order me a 61 as they don't normally stock that size. They are sayinig early September. Oh well a few more commutes on my current bike will make the new bike all the more enjoyable....I hope.

A 2006 in the correct size would be hard to pass up at $1299!

jimmuter

I paid in full for the '07 during a sale, so it was $1,620. I've had my order in for quite some time now, and they told me mine would be one of the first out of the door. I'm expecting a call soon.

chakup

Yep '06's here are the same. I'm getting a discount on my '07 since I'm ordering myself a comp and my wife a sport. Hers will be in next week!! Mine sometime in September- a 58.

Sock

Stopped by the shop earlier this week. They have a 58 arriving on Tuesday! It's not a 61 but at least they are starting to show up.

flipped4bikes

Update, the 07 is only One Benjie more expensive then the 06. For that, you update to an E5 frame w/carbon seatstays plus Zertz and a 10-speed 12-27t. That's good. Triple crank that's 50x39x30, not so good. If you're gonna go triple, why not lower?

jimmythefly

The right size is most important. That said, I'd take 9sp over 10sp, or compact double over triple any day. The combination of the two was really nice, but you can still get the compact double in the expert version.

Did you order the Tricross rack set, too? That's right! Specialized is selling a specific rack set for the tricross. I say "set" because they sell both a front and a rear rack specifically for the bike. The front rack also has a bottle opener on it. Pretty sure the opener is a neat-o marketing thingy, but if your'e going to sell a rack I guess they might as well have some fun with it.

acidinmylegs

I, too, thought I'd like to stay 9-spd on my bikes, but after switching to 10-spd on my road bike I really like it. I run a compact double (50/34) on it, with a 12-26 cassette. The best part, though, is the shifters. The new hoods are very comfy, more so than the 9-spd. I doubt I'll swap out my cross bike -- it runs moustache bars so hood shape is irrelevant -- but on drop bars, the new levers are great. There are other changes in the lever that make it nicer, as well. I've outlined the differences HERE.

gilgamesh

Hey Jimmy -- do you know where one might be able to find said Tricross rack set from Specialized? Am keen to check it out, but I don't see it on their website, and haven't found reference to it elsewhere. Thanks!

--AA

georgiaboy

What is Columbus E5 SLX tubing? Anyone know?

jph6t

Aluminum

treehog59

Try this link...

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCCatalogRequest.jsp

Go to the "BAR COVERINGS, COMPUTERS, PUMPS, BOTTLES, CAGES, BAGS, TOOLS, COMPONENTS (3.23 MB)" link and download/open the pdf. Go to page 24. It's in the MTB component section.

I can't find a price or anyplace to order. My LBS indicated they knew about and had seen it, but could not find it to show me.

gilgamesh

Hey, thanks for the link to those. I don't know if I will try to get ahold of that rack set or not -- the rear one looks nice enough, but the "six pack" front rack is probably superfluous for me (I'm not much of a drinker).

I did buy the Tricross Comp, however! The 07 triples are out of stock, so I took the plunge when I managed to locate a 61 after calling around. Am itching to take it for a solid spin.

A question for you Tricross mavens -- did your bike come with some useful extras? I noticed the Specialized site (https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22302) lists under Notes: "Chain stay protector, chain catcher, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual". I purchased the bike from at a faraway store right before closing -- got an owner's manual, and I see the chain catcher, but that's it. Some touch up paint would be really handy though. Anyone else see some touch up paint, an extra derailleur hanger, etc.?

--AA

jph6t

I have a 2007 Tricross Comp Triple. It came with an owner's manual. I think their idea of a chain stay protector is this thin clear plastic strip (more like a sticker) stuck to the chain stay. It's applied so seamlessly you can't even see it ... until it gets all dinged up from the chain after a ~100 miles. I think I may get a LizardSkins chain stay protector for training rides because whereas the sticker helps I don't think it'll hold up over the long haul. I'm not sure what the other stuff in your list is. I definitely did NOT get touch-up paint with my purchase (and I already have a few places I could use it after riding this bike in a century).

My Tricross also come with a handy little bell that attaches to the hinge on the sissy brake (nice space saver). At first I thought I'd remove the bell. But it's great on the multi-use trails. No more yelling "on your left". And my running friends have advised me that they don't like when bikers yell left. They say they don't know whether to move left or stay right (yeah, I know ...). They also say they sometimes don't hear the audible warning of bikers over their headphones (can you say hearing loss?). The bell however, never confuses them and for some reason that frequency can be heard over their running music. Hey, if that's what they prefer ... I'm fine with that. There is already too much hostility on those trails. Would rather it be like boating, where everyone waves to strangers (as oppose to the conflict between roadies, MTBers, dog walkers, runners, strollers, cruisers, etc).

Nice (and entertaining) intro to the multi-use trail conflicts here:
https://www.craigslist.org/about/best/bos/70245362.html

flipped4bikes

Ah yes, the bell. I love my bell. THE reason to get a 2006.

Shadowcaver

I too have the '06 Comp version - excellent bike, IMHO, for what I wanted. Can not say as what 'extras' I have, as bought it used. Only issue has been at fairly high speed - don't know for sure how fast, but going down a longer and steeper hill than use to in northern Indiana while here near Memphis, TN, had some wobble to the front; when asked at a couple LBS what they thought, they seemed to think that this bike is not for going that fast, and the wobble is due to the tires. Anyhow, light yet strong frame, with tires good for both on and off roading. Oh, as far as racks on the bike, I've not one on the front, but put the Trek Interchange on the back - very handy and convenient system, the pack snaps right into place, w/o having to worry about velcro or loops.

M_S

Get the best frame your price point can afford. The difference between ultegra and 105 s just from great to better, and you can always upgrade.

gilgamesh

Indeed, my 2007 has the bell, too -- I hadn't expected it, but I guess it might come in handy.

Thanks for the replys re extras -- guess it's not what it sounds like on the site, or most bike shops just don't hold on to that stuff. Too bad, some touch-up paint would be great, and I know some cross bikes come with it (e.g. Redline). You know, what the heck, just sent Specialized an email to ask -- took a minute and can't hurt.

That doesn't sound too cool about the wobble when going downhill at high speed! Hope I don't experience that... so far it's been fine. The only near term change I'm contemplating is the brake pads -- they seem ok but not great, am thinking to switch to some of those KoolStop Mountain pads that everyone seems to like so much.

flipped4bikes

As for the touch up paint, my TriX is a nice gloss black. So I just go to an auto parts store, and voila, LOTS of paint to choose from!

I haven't had any high speed wobble going downhill, but I was only going 32 mph (ha ha). Exactly how fast were you going?

One last thing, canti brakes on the TriX aren't going to be as strong as sidepulls...

M_S

Cantis are strong enough. The only road-esque bike I know of with sidepulls (v-brakes) is the Trek 520, meant to stop with heavy loads.

The only problem with cantis is that they are a real [offensive four letter word] to adjust.

jph6t

I think I recall reading somewhere that this reported wobble was corrected on the 2007 model (in addition to a slightly shorter chain stay length). So this might not be an issue anymore. I know that I have not experienced this issue, and I've taken my Tricross up/down some monster hills. I was fully tucked, trying to steal all the free speed I could.

Yes, I took my cantis in for adjustment after about 100 miles of riding. There was some squeaking. The LBS shop said that the while the cantis themselves are great, the pads included were not the best. He recommended replacing the pads if the squeaking continued after adjustment.