Hybrid or cyclocross?

[wilko49]

Hi

I'm looking to replace my fairly old (and heavy) Dawes Element mountain bike. The cycling I do is either road or old railway cycle track type stuff.

I like the look of the Specialized bikes and am thinking about either the Tricross or the Sirrus. I like the look of the Tricross but am unsure about the dropped handlebars.

Your comments would be appreciated!!!

Many thanks

 

[potsy]

Sounds like you need a test ride of the 2,both very nice bikes and are always on my short-list for my next bike.

 

[aberal]

If I only had room for one bike, personally I'd go for a cross bike every time. It feels like a road bike on the road, there's no perception of drag from the tyres which hasn't been my experience with hybrids, yet they can handle reasonably rough terrain and tow paths and farm tracks with ease. Having said that I too fancied the Specialised Tricross until I test road one and really didn't like it. Great looking but uncomfortable and heavy with a definite steering wallow round corners. Consider the Genesis Croix de Fer - it's a beaut, but Scott do a nice one too. In fact there's loads on the market.

 

[MacB]

Don't let the drop bars put you off, I began with a hybrid and also bought a Surly Crosscheck frameset. Both of these served very well with butterfly/trekking handlebars. But, eventually, the disconnect between where I like to ride, ie hands on the sides, and where you could get the controls became an issue. Both bikes now have drop bars, but I use wide flared drops, that mean the drop part is as wide as a butterfly bar, ie 58cm.

There are a lot of variations on drop bars out there and various ways of setting them up. It's also worth having a read up on what works with what to avoid any stumbling blocks. The other major point would be around clearances, if you only ever want to use skinny race tyres then your choice is massive. If you want a bit more versatility then it's more limited but this area seems to be growing at present. You can always stick some skinny wheels on a bike but you can't put bigger ones onto a racing bike.

 

[TheDoctor]

A decent hybrid will cope with mild off-road, but put slick tyres on it and it'll be nice and fast on-road too.
I think you need to try both. It'll probably come down to whether you prefer drops or flat bars.
Nice dilemma to have though!!

 

[Norm]

The Sirrus is not a good bike to take off road, IMO, it is a road bike (pretty much an Allez) with flat bars.

If you want a flat barred bike for that mix of routes, the Crosstrail might be worth a look.

Then buy the Tricross anyway.

 

[D-Rider]

I've had a Tricross for a couple of months now, also moving from a MTB. Soon got used to the drop handlebars and I really love the bike. Of course, I'm no expert and might have loved something else even more..... I'll never know!

 

[HJ]

If I only had room for one bike, personally I'd go for a cross bike every time. It feels like a road bike on the road, there's no perception of drag from the tyres which hasn't been my experience with hybrids, yet they can handle reasonably rough terrain and tow paths and farm tracks with ease. Having said that I too fancied the Specialised Tricross until I test road one and really didn't like it. Great looking but uncomfortable and heavy with a definite steering wallow round corners. Consider the Genesis Croix de Fer - it's a beaut, but Scott do a nice one too. In fact there's loads on the market.

+1 I feel the Tricross is over rated, if you are happy with drop bars and want a bike you can take off road, there are better cyclocross bikes out there. Most hybrids can also cope with the sort of riding you are suggesting. Best thing to do is test ride a range of bikes and buy the one you like best.

 

[PaulF]

I am also looking at these two bikes, primarily for commuting. Again I am not used to and unsure about drops but I don't find flat bars comfortable as the wrist position just feels wrong. I have butcher boy type bars on my soon to be ex bike.

The flat areas on the sirrus bars make it better than e.g. my son's mountain bike for hand position.

One big plus of the tricross (entry level model) for me, since I will be mostly on roads, is the high gearing - 52 /11.

The Genesis Croix de Fer and the Scott cyclocross are quite a bit more expensive at £1000, and don't have the fast gears.

Not wanting to hijack the thread but are there better options that the specialized tricross at the £700 mark?

And how hard is it to change the bars on these bikes - does it mean buying new shifters?

Paul

 

[Steve Austin]

You can get a Giant TCX for a very reasonable price if you want to add that into the pot.

I would go for one of the modern cycloross bikes every time. Just don't buy a 'true' racing cyclocross bike as you will end up in a whole world of pain.

 

[PaulF]

What about Pinnacle Expede? Anyone?

 

[wilko49]

Thanks for all your comments. In the end after a trip to my local bike shop, I liked the feel of the drop bars so went for the Specialized Tricross Sport. Just been out for a spin and very happy!

Cheers

Andy

 

[Norm]

Excellent choice... IMO.

 

[potsy]

Excellent choice... IMO.

Don;t tell me you're getting commision on those as well now?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

good call imo