First Day On Tricross | Commuting General | Commuting | Forums - BikeRadar

HopOff\'\'n\'Walk · **Posted** Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:14 pm

Hey, another one here for one of your capes.

Just had my first outing on the new Tricross today. Superb! Far more comfy than the old roadbike - after 26 miles I had none of the aches and pains that I've been used to. I think the more upright position, whilst still having all the options that the drops offer, is going to be a Godsend. It's lighter than my old roadbike, too, which is a nice. Being able to change gears whilst on the drops (previously I had a Sora equipped bike) was great. A little slower on the flat and on the descents, sure, but I put that down to the tyres. I might have to change them for something not quite so wide, but I don't want to lose that comfort factor. At my age that was a crucial element of chossing this bike for - as the old songs says, I'm built for comfort not speed.

Actually, having said it was slower, overall it wasn't because today I was riding up hills that previous I'd had to walk up, so my overall time was exactly the same as last time I tried Hop-Off's "Three Climbs" challenge. That triple and huge cassette is great for a poor climber like me. I got up the old Birdlip hill, which I've never done before, and though it wasn't easy there wasn't a single moment when I thought I'd not make it. So, 26 miles and 2800 feet of climbing and a big grin. Some of the road surfaces around the Cotswold lanes are pretty rough, too, loads of potholes and gravel and horsesh@t and subsidence. The Tricross handled it all beautifully. Maybe Monday I'll take her along the towpath, which will open up a whole new set of backroads routes. Previously my fillings fell out when I tried the canal.

I tried to replicate the brake judder everyone talks about and only managed it when braking really hard. Even on the steep narrow descent into one of the villages with both brakes full on I couldn't get it to shake. Maybe in the wet it'll be more noticable. Have to agree the stopping power isn't as strong as other bikes I've tried, but with a bit anticpation it's no problem.

Overall, I'm delighted. I just want to go out and ride, and ride again, and that says it all. For someone who's not fast, but enjoys longer distances on backroads and lanes, likes the challenge of hills but hates failing to get up them, wants to be able to carry a bit of luggage, and most of all, not feel like one's been riding the Mare Of Steel (see The Long Ships) then it's a great bike. Well, that's Day One's conclusion anway. In time, I may miss the sheer speed on descents of the pure roadbike (there was never any sheer speed on the flat with me!), but I think this is a great buy - especially given it was the 2009 Sport with 20% off as the 2010 models are now out.

Hey ho!
Hop

biondino · **Posted** Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:13 pm

So you're buying a heavy bike with limited manoeuvrability and then changng the tyres to slicks and having problems with the cantilever brakes... have any of you considered a road bike?

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jimmygster · **Posted** Fri Sep 4, 2009 9:54 pm

I've been commuting on a TriCross Comp for more than a year. I even rode through a harsh Canadian winter - and it continues to perform like a champ.

You will continue to get front fork judder with the brake. You'll learn to control it as you've already suggested - by using your rear brake more and your front as the assist. Trust me. I learned to brake that way riding on snow and ice - it works better. Toeing in only helps for awhile. At last year's cyclocross championships, most of the bikes from all brands did this, and all of the riders I asked gave the same advice

Enjoy your bike. I think the TriCross Comp is the best bike out there for commuting - period, and I'm sure the Sport is also great.

doog442 · **Posted** Sat Sep 5, 2009 6:42 pm

will3 · **Posted** Sat Sep 5, 2009 7:43 pm

Regarding the brake judder thing, can I strongly suggest you get the Kona KF front hanger and do the mod?
I have a Genesis Vapour, Lovely bike, but mine suffered from fork judder. This could be easily dialed out by toeing in the pads, bt then of course they wear and before you know it the judder's back. Checking the headset wasn't loose also helped, but in the end it always needed attention to get rid of the judder and careful braking. After living with this for a year and a bit, I had one too many difficulties with emergency stops, so got the kona part. Problem seems to have gone away and I can now apply the brakes with the confidence that the bars are not about to be ripped from my hands.
It was always when you most needed the brakes that they would be least cooperative with the juddering!
I note that Genesis seem to have included this mod in the 2010 Vapour Very Happy

Big Wib · **Posted** Sun Sep 6, 2009 10:03 am

Just done the C2C on a Tricross (with the original tyres) and no problems. Only the one puncture, right at the end - only noticed it as I rode away from the finish

Great bike, coped with me & 2 paniers, but just the two water bottles Smile

, did the off road route down from the Whinlatter Pass much to the amazement of people on MTBs. Was chatting to a bloke who'd upgraded to a Kona and was largely regretting it.

richardvaltos · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 10:35 am

Wallace1492 · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 11:59 am

MadammeMarie · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 12:07 pm

So, I see that the new models still have the fork shudder. I got the 2008 model, and spent so much money and time on the brakes, until I read about it on the net! Got mini-v brakes now, no shudder.

And yes, it's a great bike, good value for money, rides like a dream! Best £700 I ever spent!

richardvaltos · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:32 pm

Right, I've been out to the garage, cleaned up the bike and had a good look. I found a loose mudguard, and bolts undeneath the downtube for a crud catcher, nothing else. Therefore, we've either got different frames, mine's a 2009 56cm vapour, or you're wrong Twisted Evil

I'd just like to add that I'm I'm not trying to be a dick or pee anyone off. I'm now just puzzled. Not that it really matters i suppose......

Edit: OOOOOOOOkay I'm a dick. I've reread the above posts. The third bottle mount is on the Tricross right? I on the other hand now have a clean Genesis Vapour with a tight rear mudguard, and more scratches than I previously realised.

I now wish I'd bought the Tricross as clearly I'm the kind of person that 3 bottle mounts really matters to.... oh ffs, I'll shut up and put the foot back in.

will3 · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 5:54 pm

My vapour is 2008 and has teh crud catcher mounts also,and yes it's very tight to get a mudguard and a reasonable large tyre on.

Happy to report that 1000 miles after fiitting the brake hanger thing, still no judder. Yay

the_village_idiot · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 7:03 pm

Great choice

i was in the same position to you a month back- and went for a Kona Jake the Snake instead- however the tricross was a close second!

I get slight front judder with my carbon forks- but thats mostly with heavy braking downhill at LOW speed- so v occcasionall a problem

she copes v well with mild off road- went for a big cycle today- paths, stones & leafs and she was fine!

I too have been deciding about tyres......im gonna stick with my current ones for now but may change to something more puncture proof in the future!

enjoy!!! Very Happy

richardvaltos · **Posted** Sun Nov 8, 2009 7:40 pm

Half my commute is on road, so I've got Conti GP 4 season 28s on. They're superbly light, but I have about three punctures a week, so may be fitting schwalbe something or others or similar, bit heavier but probably worth it.

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