Specialized Expedition / Crossroads
 

Hi,

Can you tell me whats the difference between the Specialized Expedition and Crossroads Sport?? Their design is very similar and no big price difference.

For an elderly first timer person looking to keep in shape, what would you recommend?

Thanks,

Yoji

No, .... is Speciaized the main brand at your LBS? What did they say?

Moved from Bicycle Mechanics.

They might be good bikes for you.

What is your intended use, be specific.?

I'll try to help you out. The expedition looks like a true comfort bike, where you pedal and nearly all of your weight is on your rear end, rather than mixed between the saddle and the handlebars. If you haven't ridden a bike in a while and test ride both of them for 10 mins around the shop, you'll probably find the expedition the most comfortable. However, once you start riding a bike that that on a regular basis, you might find the position to be limiting. The crossroads sport looks to be the more flexible option, it puts a little less of your body weight on the seat and more on the handlebars so you can get more out of your pedaling and go further with less leg fatigue

Try them both out and see what you think. If both fit well and you can't decide, I would recommend the Crossroads sport. Keep in mind that I'm just a person on the internet who doesn't know your physical conditions, experience, or the terrain you want to ride. ;)

Yogi, that's why we need specific "what I want to do" information. It will help us greatly, to make recommendations. Slow, short rides around the park? a quick ride around the block? Run to the grocery store? Or, ride 10, 20, 30 mile turns, around the local bike path, occasionally trying to work your heart muscles a little harder.

Don't listen to those who bad mouth different brands..... Specialized is as good as they get, when you start to consider major manufacturers.

My personal opinion, of your choices - the Crossroads Sport is the better bicycle. However, I would ask that the suspension seatpost be switched to a solid one before the sale, as they get loose, worn, and wiggle. A wiggling seat is very uncomfortable. I would also ask for some more road oriented tires. I've had those Burroughs, and don't care for them. If you must use the Burroughs, make sure you pump them up to max. for easier pedaling, or soften them up to above minimum, if you ride on a lot of rough stuff. They aren't bad tires, I just wanted more flat resistant, and street oriented tires. I found that in Schwalbe Marathon Supremes in a little more narrow tire than the Burrough. I'm 200#, and like a 40mm wide in the rear, and a 35 up front. Yes, it's OK to mix them. You might get them to switch to these http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...mbus-armadillo or these http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...nity-armadillo. I'd take the Nimbus Armadillo if it were me. Dealers will do a lot of stuff before the sale at no charge. Just ask.

Don't be turned off by my suggestions, as I'm just trying to help you learn from my mistakes. It really is a fine bike right out of the box, with the exception of that suspension seatpost. They should be willing to change that, no charge, as they can resell it later at a profit.

The Specialized Body Geometry saddles, are pretty comfortable, as far as OEM saddles go. If you really don't need the suspension of the front fork, you are better off without it. I have front suspension on my Crosstrail, and keep it locked out, 98% of the time. It's just more weight to carry around.

Also try different sizes, and other models, so you feel the difference in types. If you are looking for conditioning, the Crossroads will last you longer. You will be better satisfied with it's performance. "Comfort Bikes," really aren't comfortable for very long. Also, get the best model you can afford, as you will never get a better deal in upgrading, than when new. Example, the Crossroads "Elite" is a better bike , component wise, weightwise, just beter longer lasting componentry, than the Sport. But, the Sport is much better than the base Crossroads. You get what you pay for, and it costs more to upgrade later.

As about fenders, too, as they keep the gunk off you and the bike, making it easier to keep them and you clean. They are inexpensive and easy to install. http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7056_5.html

Good morning and thanks for the responds so far,

Basically I'm looking to keep in shape and make myself more mobile, nothing fancy or competitions. I guess most of my work out will be along the very popular nearby bus / bike path but I'm also considering going out with my camera to not so padded roads.

The way I see it, an upright bike will be best for me.
Friend of mine has a sport / speed bike and he is complaining
that his wrists and back are "killing" him.

I'm considering other bikes too, like:

Giant Cypress DX
Raleigh Venture 3.0
Schwinn Crest

So before I'll add another junk to the buildings bike rack I'll appreciate your opinion.

Yoji

You cannot test ride bikes online..
GO forth and test ride , in the Bike shops where you live..

saddles bars and pedals and stems and even seatposts can be changed.



Wider 700c wheels as a category
Trek's Dual Sports lines are a popular choice , here.. one built around a suspension fork
the other, front geometry around shorter non suspension forks..

With the marketplace being full of multiple brands, all made by a handfull of contract
manufacturers, for Importing Distributors. Often the Contract details is the difference.

but a $500 bike in one brand will be coming in at the same price ,
a small + on one item, say a teir up on a visible thing , like rear derailleur, will be
compensated by a speccing, lower cost part somewhere else..

all things being equal, they will be.

I went to a store and I was ignored, maybe if I'll go prepared with clear questions I'll get more attention.

If the store doesn't treat you well when you are going to buy a bike, they aren't going to treat you well later.

I understand your thoughts about a sporty bike being uncomfortable. I wouldn't consider either of the bikes you mentioned sporty, both are comfort models and shouldn't be strenuous on your body.

The Giant and Raleigh models you mentioned are good too, test those out as well.

First and foremost, the bike has to be comfortable for YOU. My personal preference is old lugged steel frame Schwinn "cross" bikes, but that said, my latest purchase is an almost new condition 2009 Marin Kentfield FS that has a suspension fork and a sprung seat post. How it will pan out is anyone's guess, but it sure looks awfully pretty in its limited edition orange fade, and it felt quite comfortable when I test rode it. So far, I'm having fun with it, and that is important, because if its fun, you'll want to keep doing it.

That could be explained by it not fitting him properly.

Depending on what kind of elevation changes (hills) you have to contend with, I'd add the Giant Via 2 to the list to check out. Website states $525, but you might be able to get for less than that.

last time I looked, the expedition had 26" fat tires and a low grade squishy-fork, while the crossroads was a 700c hybrid with a rigid fork. of course, they change things up every few years, I can't keep up.

upright bikes transfer the pain to your butt. they really are only good for cruising around slowly, for distances not much over 5 miles. when you start going offroad, you need to be able to stand up over the rougher stuff (unless you're on a full suspension mountain bike), this is really uncomfortable on a upright bike.

building some core strength (stomach muscles, like doing sit-ups and stuff) will greatly aleviate back and wrist pain from a forward riding position.

Mid ~late 80's My SBI Expedition was a steel Japanese made loaded touring bike,
and I used it as such..

Used to work in the shop that sold the brand.

up here thats another town..

...and yet this guy tours on a (modified) upright comfort bike. Different strokes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPw6SDz2l0

looks like that bike has a decent 50% forward lean. bars are just about as high as th seat, plus he's got some gigenormous extenders on it.

Yep it's a funky rig. He does say that his basic riding position is "completely upright", though. Interesting video and unorthodox idea for long distance.

Thank you for the valuable technical info.
I wasn't aware for instance to the suspension seatposts (Wanderer), I don't think I'll need that.

One of the things to keep in mind is that the 2012 Crossroads (which you may have seen) is a very different bike from the 2013 model. The 2012 has a suspension fork and looks like an Expedition with larger diameter tires. The 2013 Crossoroads has wider tires and a rigid fork and doesn't look as much like an Expedition.

ah... did some random poking. the non-suspended 700c crossroads I remembered was from like 2002. in 2003, they got a suspension fork. they didn't make any Crossroads in 2009-2010.

I've been there too. Fietsbob is quick to recommend going to an LBS, but around here, there are only two LBSes who aren't condescending when speaking to me - one of those is Performance, the other is the bike shop where I eventually bought my bike.

Not sure if someone said this already (I got this as advice, and I'm just passing it on) - find a shop where you feel comfortable first, then check which bikes they stock. Most major brands carry something close to what you have in mind, and at that price range, the difference isn't great. If you can't find a bike that feels comfortable at the LBS you like, then try the others.

Hi,

It took me a while, eventually made a decision . . . Giant Cypress DX.

Now I have one more thing to decide - Shifters

2012 - Rapidfire..............2013 - Twist


Any advice??

Yoji

I prefer Rapid Fire. Because I can shift the twisters when I don't mean to, just by standing or exertion.i

I'm going on the DX the LX is more expensive.