Cool! I like cookies!;)

Chances are this is an adjustment issues. As mentioned above chatter is common issue with canti brakes. Most often proper adjustment can solve it but not always. Bike assembly is typically the most detested bike shop chore and tends to go to the lowest man on the totem pole which is generally the least experienced. Take back to the shop and ask them to solve it and extend the return policy with this known issue.

adamcsmith: you don't need correcting. it is crazy. do a search on the tricross and read the various reports. maybe ALL these bikes were not set up properly. maybe the fork is underdesigned. I dont think your expectations are too high. In general think the triciross is a great bike, and I will probably continue to think so unless I end up with one i had to spend money on to fix something that should NOT be a problem when picked up new.

I'd like to know is specialized changed anything in the 08 model.

I remember my triciross sworks (it has avid shorty 4's for brakes) made a VERY loud screeching noise when hitting the brakes when I first picked it up - it was a toe in problem.

Thanks jbpence. I think you've hit the nail on the head...I know the Tricross is a good bike. I took the thing on 3 test rides before buying, and of course didn't experience the chatter. After purchasing the thing, it happens on my ride home. I just have a bad taste in my mouth now. That's the thing that makes me want to just return it and leave on a Surly. I'm going to ask for a brake adjustment first before making that decision though.

Thanks again.

The quick and dirty fix is replace the front brake cable hanger with a shorter one.

So I took the Tricross to the LBS tonight after work. When I described the fork chatter to the manager he first tells me that they've sold a hundred of these bikes and haven't heard a thing about the chatter. He then directed someone to ride it and confirm what I was describing. Guy rides it and confirms there is a problem. Some other guy "adjusts" the brakes in two minutes then asks me to give it a ride. I ride it and it seems worse than it was before. I return and report this to the guy that adjusted the brakes. He then points me to the back and tells me to take it to that guy...the better mechanic on duty I guess.

I take the bike to the back where the manager is and tell him the situation, so he tells me to wait. Then the mechanic asks me what's up, I explain the situation, he seems totally thrilled that I'm there. So he finally does some more adjusting and checking, takes off the front tire, sands down the pads, tests the brakes, yadda, yadda,...then he takes it for a test ride. He gets off and says, "that's crazy."

He then asks if I need the bike back tonight and he checks it in. He tells me that the head mechanic will need to investigate tomorrow, probably take it apart, check it out piece by piece. He then tells me the Tricross bikes are mass produced and these things can happen during manufacturing. I instantly feel like I bought some cheap bike. I then express my concern that I was on the fence with my decision to begin with, and this is really not helping. I told him I'm leaning towards just taking a Cross Check. He then says that to let them try to fix it and they'll call me tomorrow. If I am not happy with it tomorrow, then I should take a Cross Check.

I'll see what tomorrow brings. My wife tells me I should take the Cross Check and be done with it. I am beginning to agree with her.

Go with what your wife says, she knows better and be done with it. I agreed with you way back when you said " 2. Take the bike back asap, find a new bike shop, and buy a Surly."

The fact that the guy has 'sold over 1000 and this is the first time he hears about it' says to me the guy doesn't even want to research it and just wants to keep your money for a shotty product he sold you in the first place. If it's any indication to you if you keep reading about the tricross being a nice bike but everyone and I mean everyone says its got issues, then final blow is that it has issues.

GET THE CROSS CHECK. Better yet, get your money back and buy a cheaper bike at a different store. Cross Checks are great bikes for what its worth. I have heard of just as great and cheaper cross bikes out there a few which I have my eye on once the funds are allocated as cross racing becomes more and more of a priority. Namely the brodie romulus or romax, the bianchi volpe, the salsa con cross.

All of them sell for the same price range which you have paid. If you not only want a good ride and want to impress not only yourself and your wife... Save more cash buy a cheaper bike price wise and then take your wife out to dinner with the left over and get her something nice too. Make sweet love and enjoy the fact that you made a fantastic decision, have a wonderful wife and made fantastic love.

That would be my way about it. But your short and skinny answer...:
2. Take the bike back asap, find a new bike shop, and buy a Surly.

You need to relax a bit. Have a beer or go see a movie. You're really getting worked up over this. This attitude of "I spent my hard-earned money and the bike should work perfectly" sounds good on paper, but it's just going to generate stomach acid. Any bike, whether you spend $250 or $2500, can have problems.

Chill and see if the bike shop can fix it. If they can't you can return it, so you're risking nothing. Life's too short.

- Mark

You're very much right. A cold beer does sound good actually, although it is only 9am at the moment.

LOL, thanks dzinehaus...all good points.

So?

Certainly not too early for cookies.

Cookies AND beer...

I think we may be on to something...:D

Well, I gave the LBS a shot at fixing the Tricross. I'm afraid they failed. I stopped by after work today to pick it up and got the news that the head mechanic could not fix it and reported that when pairing the cantilever brake with the carbon fork, the chatter occurs. And I said, "I told you so," in a joking sort of way. Anyway they said the only other option was to try to replace the fork and see if that would fix it, or I could trade it for another bike. At that point he passed me off to the sales guy.

Sales guy tells me they don't expect more Cross Checks in until November, but he could offer me a Poprad or the Trek (OX? XO?). I asked for my money back at that point and went to the other LBS I had test ridden a few bikes at. I asked if they had the Cross Check in 58cm that I rode a couple weeks ago. Turns out they did, and it was still adjusted for me. I rode it around the block, went back in and bought it. So I'm the proud new owner of a Cross Check complete!

It really came down to how I was treated really. The first LBS was not awful, they just seemed completely indifferent to my new bike, yet strange problem situation, which really rubbed me the wrong way. They were keen on keeping my money though, I certainly got that feeling. I think the Tricross is a nice bike, and I think I would've enjoyed riding it had the situation panned out differently.

Anyway, I now have a Cross Check, it is a nice ride. It's simple, beautiful, and I already feel like I own it. Know what I mean? It just suits me. I'm excited to upgrade a couple things in the coming weeks, so that should be fun.

1. STI Tiagra Shifters - maybe, a new decision to make; probably some cross bar brake levers
2. New set of rims, and road tires
3. Brooks saddle (heard great things), rack, pannier

I'll be set after that. Anyway, thanks for listening to my endless rants and providing your thoughts and advice. I'll hopefully contribute and return the favor in the future.

get the to just phone Specialized, it'll take 5 minutes and they'll tell them, I got a warrenty replacement deore v break, and my LBS did front and back so it looked a bit nicer.

Good Job adamcsmith !!! Relax on the upgrades, take your wife out for dinner and thank her for the advice ;) She'll be thanking you later :D

Probably the cheapest upgrade you can go for right now without busting the bank is to get crosstops (tektros are the cheapest in price) and a set of road tires not rims. A new set of rims will run you about 150$ +

Here is a guy on ebay I bought from and the rims are great...

http://stores.ebay.ca/CYCLE4LESSCOM_...dZ2QQpZ3QQtZkm

I know it says ebay canada but don't let it fool you... The guy is in cali if I'm not mistaken and it took 2 weeks to get to canada with customs issues... delivery in the states is 2-5 days... the guy is quick!!!

Glad it worked out. The first shop may not have the people skills you desire and I question their competency in not solving this problem, but if they gave you a complete refund, this says a lot. Enjoy the new bike.

- Mark