Tourer or cross bike?

[JonLoveday]

The time has come to replace my ancient 27"-wheel Spokesman touring bike. I use my bike for (i) a daily 4-mile on-road commute, (ii) weekend rides mostly on the South Downs Way and (iii) occasional longer on-road hostel/B&B tours.

I am very tempted by the Dawes Galaxy 2008, available from Evans for £700, but also the Specialized Tricross Sport, for £780. Any advice on which is the better bet for my type of riding? I find some off-road descents, eg. South Downs Way into Alfriston, a bit hairy on my current touring bike, and wonder if the cross bike would handle them better? I will need a c60cm frame size.

Thanks in advance, Jon

 

[Brock]

The Tricross strikes me as more speedy fun, while the Dawes is a classic capable tourer, more sedate, better geometry for riding loaded and with mudguards and rack included.
The gear changers on the Dawes are bar end shifters, dependable but would you prefer the Tiagra STI shifters on the Tricross?

The Tricross would probably be preferable offroad, if nothing else just because you can change gear from the hoods, but the Galaxy should be up to the task if you're not in a hurry, and in either case the greatest factor for offroad performance is tyre choice.

I hasten to add that I've no experiece of either bike, just chucking my initial thoughts at you.

Probably best to get them both Jon.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[JonLoveday]

Thanks Brock

I had assumed that the Galaxy had combined brake/gear levers as with the much cheaper Horizon. I only saw a Galaxy "in the flesh" this afternoon, and the bar-end shifters do look a bit awkward. Couldn't test-ride it as it was already sold, but will try to test-ride both options before deciding.

This forum is really helpful!

Cheers, Jon

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have the Ultra Galaxy that has the gear change on the brake levers, I bought it secondhand about a month ago and have taken it out a couple of times it handles cycle tracks and rough back roads/farm tracks ok and is excellent on the road.

I was going to get the Tricross Sport but I changed my mind after riding the Galaxy and also I got the Galaxy a lot cheaper than the Tricross would have been so that also helped me make my mind up. I am very pleased with my purchase it is a very nice bike to ride much better than my moutain bike I was using.

 

[Dave5N]

The tricross is a good bike, but if you need a tourer, get a tourer.

A tricross isn't really a racing bike at the sharpest end, but 'cross bikes are not comfortable over a few hours - Mine has a tight geometry and an aggressive ride.

Not for the fainthearted.

 

[mickle]

STI shifters are the most expensive and complex components on a bike so if you are looking at two bikes at the same price point the one with bar end shifters rather than integrated shifters will have a significantly better overall level of equipment.
Bar end shifters are great, easy to use, reliable and light. Be advised however that most manufacturers (and bike shops) don't take the time to install them correctly, one should remove a length of handlebar equivalent to the length of the shifter body. Usually about an inch. This puts the lever itself in the right place.

 

[Kirstie]

We have one of each in our house. I have an ultragalaxy for touring and my other half has a tricross which doubles as a light tourer and cross bike. The person I rode lejog with last year did it on a tricross, and I did it on my ultra. Both bikes were up to the job and performed admirably while their riders suffered lol!

To be honest there's hardly anything in it for what you want to use it for. The thing that would swing it for me would be frame material. Ultra is made of 853 and is loads more comfortable than aluminium/carbon combo of the tricross IMO. In the tricross's favour, it is more nippy than the ultra, and has a shorter wheelbase, so it's a bit more versatile.

I'd say try them both and get whichever fits/feels the best.

 

[Brock]

Kirstie, why do you consider a shorter wheelbase more versatile?
I'm not asking that with any confrontational intent, just interested.

 

[Kirstie]

Kirstie, why do you consider a shorter wheelbase more versatile?
I'm not asking that with any confrontational intent, just interested.

A shorter wheelbase is more responsive, and so makes the bike more nippy. So I would say that you could go out for a reasonable paced road ride on the tricross more than you can on the ultra. On the ultra it feels like you're towing something, whereas on the tricross it feels like you're not. This is due to the fact that the gap between the seat tube and the rear wheel is much greater on the ultra, because its designed for carrying loads. A longer wheelbase makes it more stable when loaded, but less maneouvrable. This isn't an issue when touring but it could be at other times.

Does that make sense?

To be honest it's really splitting hairs because I'd be happy with either but I just happen to have an ultra.

 

[Brock]

Does that make sense?

Hmmm maybe B)
It's just that I've always considered a touring bike to be the most versatile style of cycle. It's possible that the shorter wheelbase of the Tricross could mean that large rear panniers are fouled by the rider's heel, something that reduces its versatility somewhat.
As you say though, splitting hairs and swings and roundabouts etc.

Also, do those funny carbon forks on the Tricross have rack mounts?
And did Specialized sort out the juddery brake problem?

 

[Kirstie]

Hmmm maybe B)
It's just that I've always considered a touring bike to be the most versatile style of cycle. It's possible that the shorter wheelbase of the Tricross could mean that large rear panniers are fouled by the rider's heel, something that reduces its versatility somewhat.
As you say though, splitting hairs and swings and roundabouts etc.

Also, do those funny carbon forks on the Tricross have rack mounts?
And did Specialized sort out the juddery brake problem?

Yes as far as I can remember you can get a rack on the front. No idea about the juddering. The other half hasn't complained about it and he's done a few miles on it. He's not got a problem with heel clearance either. He's got size 9 feet, if that makes a difference.

 

[Crackle]

The Tricross still has a relatively long wheelbase compared to a roadbike though, not quite as long as a tourer.

 

[Brock]

Ah interesting.
I've got size 11 or 12 feet, not wishing to blow my own trumpet. Although I could obviously. B)

 

[aqaleigh]

Ah interesting.
I've got size 11 or 12 feet, not wishing to blow my own trumpet. Although I could obviously.

Are we to assume that you are very flexible then, only I'm 6' 10" with size 15 feet & I can't do it but god how i've tried

just kidding

 

[Brock]

Are we to assume that you are very flexible then, only I'm 6' 10" with size 15 feet & I can't do it but god how i've tried

just kidding

Forsooth! Prey somebody ring the giant bell and hide our livestock! Cometh a fearsome monster!