went to get my crossroads xc commuter bike tuned up at the bike store, and left with this baby.

it's essentially a tricross SS road bike/cyclocross thingy. the reason i say so is because on specialized's site they're unsure on how to classify it either.

haven't had this much fun on a bike since i was a kid.

there's something so simple about a road bike with no gears (altho this is not a track bike since the front crank is much smaller and more of an urban commuter). the carbon front fork is also great at smoothing out potholes and concrete sidewalk spacers.

the only gripe i have is the rear horizontal dropout means i have to carry two 15mm wrenches with me to change a flat (but the flak jacket tires are relatively good at preventing punctures).

i'm also pretty surprised at how light it is. since i don't do a lot of mountain biking anymore, this is a great all around bike i can ride to work or exercise on the streets on weekends.

never had a road bike, but this is a nice compromise. and it can shuffle over grass and sand if necessary on the all terrain tires.

You should only need 1 wrench...

yeah, just walk the wheel back till you get good chain tension.

also, chain tensioners are awesome.

the rear axle/skewer needs to be screwed into place.

one wrench holds and the other tightens.

and as for tensioners, i've built up SS bikes and have used everything from stripped derailleurs to those store bought ones.

the only thing that works reliably for me are EBB's, half links, and horizontal dropouts.

you should only need 1 wrench. The hub locknuts should grab enough of the dropouts to prevent the axle from spinning.

and as for tensioners, people are suggesting something else. "chain tugs" might be a better word for it.

those are nice.

need to get me a set.