Shop recommendations in Maryland

[7rider]

Thanks again, y'all, I'll add All American to my list. Just looked at the 2012 Tri-Cross Sport at Specialized's site (I had a 2006 of the same model) and really like it. They've upgraded from canti brakes to disc, though. Anyone have any familiarity with disc brakes?

I just bought a Raleigh RX 2.0 cross bike with disc brakes. I haven't really yet ridden my own yet (!), but this same bike, I demo'd at DCCX in October. It was fabulous. Loved the disc brakes. Made me totally want a 'cross bike with discs after that race. Family Bike Shop has those Raleighs (I ordered mine from Mike at the Bicycle Place, just cuz he's my shop, my friend, and a Raleigh dealer - but he didn't have any in stock). Honestly, for the price of the '12 Specialized Sport, for another $150 (MSRP and likely erasable with some sweet negotiating), the 2013 Raleigh is spec'ed much better than the Specialized. Both have aluminum frame, alloy fork, and BB5's, but the Raleigh is a 10-speed with 105 components vs. the 9-spd Sora (bottom of the heap stuff that was on the Motobecane I just sold). Only thing with the Raleighs, is this year, they have a fantastic lineup and they're selling like hot cakes. The "Look at me Green" 1.0's are already sold out (I'm told but maybe not - could just be b.s.), but you may be able to find a '12 1.0 floating around.

[Kalidurga]

Yeah, in looking again at the TriCross, I think I would go with the next model up that has 105 components. I had upgraded my stolen TriCross from Sora to 105 just this past spring, dammit.

Problem with the Raleigh is the size (and the colors, ick!)-- Their smallest is a 50cm. The stolen TriCross was a 49cm and needed fit modifications. There's now a 46cm TriCross that could alleviate my size issues. If, of course, I can find a shop that has one in that size for me to test ride.

Or I may look again at the Surly Cross-Check or Jamis. Got a whole bunch of cold months ahead in which to do research!

[kmehrzad]

So sorry to hear about the break-in ... when something like that occurs you feel so violated.

Last night I saw on Craigslist that Falls Church Bike Club is selling a Surly Cross Check for $899. It's a 50 cm, light blue/pale green in color - t'was a beauty and a good price, I think, for a brand new Cross Check. Don't know if the 50 cm is too large for you though.

[Kalidurga]

Thanks, Kathy. That's a darned good price, but 50cm might be pushing it. I considered a Cross Check a couple years ago and talked about it with the guy who fit my Specialized. He said the head tube measurements might give me trouble. But, I see that Surly now has a 46cm size, too. Glad to see these bike brands are realizing some of us are shrimpy. Now if the bike shops would just stock those sizes...

[Kalidurga]

So much for shopping around. My heart apparently still belongs to the TriCross because I put a down payment on the order of a 2013 model in 46cm. Went to a new shop up in Baltimore (I know one of their guys from another B'more shop) and they let me test out a Crux (Specialized's 'cross race bike) in that size and the difference in how it made my shoulders feel was immediately noticeable. So, same bike that I know I love in a size that will apparently be much more comfortable. And, because these things matter to me, just look at that color...



And the insurance company is covering the Ultegra components that I had installed on the old bike, so this one will end up with a similar upgrade.


Is it spring yet...?

[7rider]

Well....we won't lose ya when we go for rides!
Glad to see you got a bike - and a bike that will fit. Always a good combo.
Why wait 'til Spring? 'cross bikes excel in the snotty of winter.
Congrats.

[Kalidurga]

The bike might excel in winter, but I don't