Specialised Tricross sport.

[Rollon]

Has anyone any experience of this bike, if so what are your thoughts and do you think it is a good choice for an older novice like me. Looking to do general bike rides with some multi day touring and canal path type rides.

 

[simon_brooke]

I don't have one, but I do have another cross bike and I've had a good test ride on a tricross and know people who have them.

It's an extremely competent, adaptable bike which will go very nearly everywhere and do very nearly everything. I use my cross bike (a Dolan) for everything from cyclocross racing to audaxes to long off-road explores to commuting to work.

If you can't afford a Tricross, the Co-op do an own-brand cross bike at a very reasonable price. But the Tricross is good value for money too and will certainly do what you want.

 

[HJ]

What Simon said...

 

[PK99]

Has anyone any experience of this bike, if so what are your thoughts and do you think it is a good choice for an older novice like me. Looking to do general bike rides with some multi day touring and canal path type rides.

A perfect bike for you - as it was for me 18 months ago in exactly the same position. I now do 500miles plus/month and love every mile!

one issue though, I still see varaints in the shops with cant brakes, there was a real issue wrt judder under breaking with those, mine has min vees and is no problem.

I use mine for everything from towpaths to Club runs and sportives - I do get the odd funny look at sportives, but hell that is their problem!

For the older novice, the key advantages are a compliant frame and larger tires so that you do not get rattled to hell plus the angles and ride position are forgiving of that lack of flexibiltiy that we more mature types have to cope with!

 

[Banjo]

I hate you guys ,just when I thought I knew which type of bike would be ideal for me you come up with this which really does seem to tick all the boxes.

As a "more mature" rider who rides roads ,canal paths and forestry tracks this bike certainly seems very versatile and the Edinburgh coop Revolution cross is within my budget.

 

[speccy1]

I`ve got one of these bikes

Had it nearly 3 years now and have put it through hell (even a bit of off-road, within limits!!) in that time, it`s now my winter/wet weather bike but even so it`s still my ol` faithfull

So, in a nutshell, buy one

 

[ACS]

Got one 4 months ago to add to my stable of 531c road bike and Sirrus Hybrid and I love it.

Found the saddle to be uncomfortable, so I changed it for a B17 and put some 700x28 Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase on because I thought the CX's where a bit 'sticky'.

I made the saddle change within days of purchase the tyres about 3 weeks ago.

I am drifting towards Audax events and based on the first one I took part in (potter for tea), no one appear to care what I was riding.

Take a look at EDC's own version it appears to VFM if the budget is tight.

You may encounter some scorn from the old and bold because the Tricross is a bit of a mongrel, a compromise, but it does everything in more than an acceptable way.

I grin when I get it out of the shed and I am still grinning when I step out of the shower. Test ride one and then see how long it takes you to stop smiling.

+1 [I've got canti brakes and have had no judder problems on a 56cm frame]

 

[anweledig]

I've had mine since February and have done about 1000 miles on it. It's a great all round bike and quite a comfortable ride. I have fitted a brooks saddle (personal preference ymmv). I've got canti brakes and have had no judder problems

A very good bike for lots of purposes. Try one you'll love it.

 

[ACS]

I hate you guys ,just when I thought I knew which type of bike would be ideal for me you come up with this which really does seem to tick all the boxes.

As a "more mature" rider who rides roads ,canal paths and forestry tracks this bike certainly seems very versatile and the Edinburgh coop Revolution cross is within my budget.

Just in case you may have missed this : http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/srv.a4d?f_pg=site_sizing/revolution-cross.htm

 

[PK99]

. I've got canti brakes and have had no judder problems

.

I should have said: the judder problem was mainly an issue on the larger frames

 

[nigelnorris]

I'm 46, have moved from two years on a cheapo hybrid to one of these about a month ago and am over the moon with it. Stuck a rack on it to commute, and my longest leisure ride so has been just over 50. I have nothing else to compare it to, but it seems to be bullet proof [I've hit some nasty potholes on my commute without problems]. Judders under braking yes [56"], but not so much as to be a problem, and I find the saddle really comfy. The stock tyres sound ideal for your use, but since I don't go canal path or any kind of rough I changed mine to 30mm road tyres, lovely they are.

I've already got some summer holiday touring planned, panniers fit nicely. I've run it through the recent wet and have decided that I'm not bothered with mudguards but they will fit if I change my mind.

Highly recommended.

 

[Rollon]

Thank you everyone for all your excellent replies. This is a fantastic forum. I have put down my deposit and will be collecting the bike in a week or two.
Incidently I did purchase a bike off ebay recently but due to my lack of bike knowledge didnt really have a clue what I was buying and bought purely on the quality of its mainly Capagnolo Chorus set up and its looks. It turned out to be a pure time trial bike and shook the hell out of me as I was trying to use it on 'normal rides'. The riding position is very low and didnt feel right. I persevered over about 50 miles altogether before deciding I'd better get rid before I kill myself on it, I was so unsteady. At least now I am beginning to realise the differences between bikes and their components. Thanks again everyone.

 

[b0redom]

I should have said: the judder problem was mainly an issue on the larger frames

Aha! I just picked up a 58cm Tricross and had exactly this problem. When you brake hard on the front, the bike juddered really badly.

Snow + Rock, where I bought the bike from have replaced it, but I've got cantis again, and the problems is still (sort of) there, but much reduced. Should I ask them to retrofit mini-vs?

Do you have any more info on this?

Cheers...

Tom

 

[ACS]

Tom

My Tricross has suddenly and without warning developed this issue (56cm frame – 4 months old). I contacted the Edinburgh Bike Coop who provided me with the bike and they are sending out mini v's and my local LBS are fitting them with EBC picking up the tab. No hassle, no arguments.

Therefore I would suggest that asking Snow + Rock to fit mini v's under warranty is the only way to go. I would go as far to suggest that this is a safety issue and it they refuse you will be able to reject the goods (bike) as not being fit for purpose and not of merchantable quality entitling you to a full refund.

As a Tricross owner am I dispirited by this and would I have chosen another bike?

No.

 

[l4dva]

I got the cantis on mine, and had no major issues!!! I just takes some very carefull adjustment to sort it out in my oppinon. My front breaks are very sharp the back not as good but still im very please with the bike.

I've had mine 7 months and done about 800 miles, only problem i'm having is with the bottom bracket which has worn out and needs replacing. Apart from that brilliant bike!