goneflying

Hey guys,

New to the forum, but wow are you lot helpful!

I guess after reading, and salivating over some of the awesome rides people have, I've decided to bite the bullet, and buy a good (hopefully lifetime sort of) bike.

I've managed to decide that I want something of a cyclocross bike, which has a little more diversity associated with it. I've been looking at the Specialized TriCross Sport, which is (quite a way) out of my price range. Is there a poor man's option with such bikes??

Cheers

njkayaker

What's your budget? There are a few models and prices of the Tricross (which is very nice in any of them).

c_m_shooter

Bikes direct has a few Cyclocross models that are cheaper than the Specialized, but you need to be able to do your own assembly and maintenance.

meanwhile

Buy a carefully chosen (for its geometry - you want a top tube of the same length as a drop bar bike you would ride) used non-suspension MTB and stick drops on. If you can't afford STI shifers or want to use V brakes instead of cantis (I prefer the modulation on cantis) the search the forums for "Minoura space bar hack" or use bar end shifters - either way lets you use Tektro v-brake road levers. Imo it's quite easy to get a better bike than a Tricross out of this, but "better" depends what you value. I found that a 17'' Kona Lava Dome gave me the same top tube as a medium size drophandle Cotic Roadrat - a boutique Tricross rival. I'd suggest Salsa Bell Laps for the bars.

With a well chosen ebay bike you might get something really nice for $500. PM me if you want links.

goneflying

Hey to give you an idea of price range, I'm willing to drop about $500, (the problem with this is that canadian taxes make it a little more expensive than this ) I think I'd really like to be out of pocket around 550$ with pedals if possible...

meanwhile -- ygpm

goneflying

also i'm concerned that I'm not getting the right sort of bike for what my needs are. I want a good all around mountain bike - capable, road bike. I don't need the same insane speed, is this the right call??

c_m_shooter

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx2.htm

Here's a good start right here. You'll need to contact them about shipping to Canada though. You haven't given a clear definition of your needs. If you are going to be riding mostly roads (paved and gravel) and easy to moderate trails, then a Cross bike will suit you fine. If you plan on doing a lot of jumps, drops, rock gardens, and that sort of stuff you may want a mountain bike. Don't get me wrong a Cross bike can do all of those things, but will beat you up more if you are trying to keep up with guys on full suspension in the rough stuff.

goneflying

aah fair nuff. Well the sort of trails I want to tackle are mostly gravel/dirt, and relatively easy to run. Theres few sections with ruts and such, but really the big obstacles will be tree roots, and stumps. I dont plan to be doing much in the rock garden/jump arena at all. I want sometihng that'll let me travel great distances quickly, even if the distance isnt on the best of roads. (i know that a road bike with fatter tires can handle these things too, but I imagine the rims, and components arent as robust against that kind of abuse, and rather for speed).


thats a nice bike there though. thanks for the link!