Specialized tricross sport

[Moptop]

Hello out there! As a returning rider wanting to replace my ancient bike I have been spending the last 2 weeks with my head in catalogues, pestering dealers or performing deep-into-the-night searches on the web getting totally confused by the plethora of amazing bikes available. And generally driving my long-suffering husband insane while I witter on!

However, after getting it down to about 5 models suitable for the mountainous area I live in, I came across your wonderful website. Thanks to the brilliant reports regarding the Tricross Sport I have definitely decided this is the one for me. Thanks girls; I can go to bed now!

However, one question - how do I decide which is the best frame size for me? Not all the dealers have a choice in sizes when you go along, or allow you to ride them to get the feel. I am a 5ft. 6.5ins. tall, with longish arms, longish neck, slightly long back and an inside leg of 31 ins. Has anyone any advice to offer please? All contributions very gratefully received!

[Undeadmonkeys]

Hello all. I am also looking at the tricross as my next bike purchase. I am at heart a Mnt bike girl, but my husband is wanting to start commuting... needless to say he leaves me miles in the dust. Committing to a road bike is a huge step for me as I usually get the notion to take the less than smooth path when it appears. So I started looking at tricrosses. I am a small girl 5'3 on a good day with short legs and small hands. My question is how does this bike handle for us stumpy women. I usually prefer a womens specific geometry but alas the tricross hasn't entered that niche market yet.
The other bike I am considering is the Dolce ... for that beginner road. Any opinions on this bikes performance would also be appreciated.

[Kalidurga]

I'm also 5'3" and have a 49cm Tri-Cross. I had the fit tweaked in a few ways- we installed Salsa Poco bars and shimmed the levers for my somewhat small hands, and raised the stem to improve the reach and put less strain on my shoulders (I have some chiropractic issues). Other than that, the fit has been fine. A smaller size might've been preferable if I were doing actual 'cross racing, but the 49's been great on pavement, gravel, and even easy singletrack.

I also tested a Dolce when I was shopping for a bike, but I ended up with the Tri-Cross.

Love your avatar, btw

[lauraelmore1033]

I can't speak to the sizing issue since I am 5'9" or so. The 54cm frame fits me more or less perfectly, though. I must say that I still LOVE this bike! The odometer just ticked over 5000 miles this weekend and I have had relatively few troubles with it--and I'm not all that gentle with it. I've replaced the Cassette once and the shifter cables as well. It is versitile and strong, so you can ride just about anywhere on it. All I can say is ride one and see if it works for you.

[AnnieBikes]

Since the initial post, I, too, have bought a Tricross-sport, '08 (it is royal blue for all you color oriented ladies!) and I absolutely love it. I had been looking for a bike for commuting and for touring. I got on this bike and it fit, I could reach the drops, and I was absolutely comfortable. My LBS was not excited to get one the right size for me to try out, so when I was visiting my sons in Denver last October, I went to the Specialized store and they had one in my size. (I am 5'5") They gave me a deal and actually packed and shipped it home for less than my LBS would sell it to me. It is now totally outfitted for touring with racks, etc. I took the extra brakes on the handlebars off after I had ridden 350 miles and did not use them. They also took up some space where I wanted to put lights and cyclometer.

My husband also bought one and is in the last 300 miles of a 900 mile self supported tour right now, and when I met up with him for a visit last weekend, he said it was the best choice he could have made. The bike is comfortable and carries his load extremely well. He could not have been happier with the performance of the bike.

PS I forgot to say that they also shimmed the brakes for me...the shims actually came with the bike. My hands are very small and that has always been a problem for me...no more, however!