Specialized Tricross Sale

Awesome, thanks. You've been very helpful. Guy from Pearsons said mine should be with me on Thursday sometime, so expect to see me falling off at various locations in NorthWest London this weekend. Hurrah!

[quote=MattB;462309]OK, so I could just get something like the Surly 16t fixed cog (1/8th?)
quote]

1/8th yes it does appear to be 1/8th with the KMC Z-510-HX chain supplied. Thanks for pointing that out actually. I think I assumed it was 3/32. I may have to do some conversion one way or the other seeing as my Genesis Flyer is 3/32 and I'd like to be able to interchange parts...

A 1/8th chain will fit on a 3/32 cog. It's the other way that won't work.

[SIZE=2]Well after my first fixed outing I made it back.
54 cm sizing seemed spot on at 5'8" tall.
Running fixed took a little getting used too, I had a couple of dodgy moments, but nothing too severe.
Struggled to get more than 3/4 of the way up the main hill on my way home.
Not sure if I should drop back to a 17T or leave it at 16T. I'll try for a few more runs to see if things improve.
I have put a Lock Ring on now.
I spoke to Pearsons today on another matter, it would appear that stock is starting to run down
(I'm not surprised of the 5 people in the shop when I went, 4 were picking up or looking at the Tricross bikes)
Any tips on adjusting the V brakes yet still leaving enough play to get a wheel out if required would be appreciated. (as there is no lever type adjuster as per my MTBs)
Overall very impressed and even a little glad I missed the Bowery offer (sorry to any current Bowery owners)
[/SIZE]

V brakes should be loose enough that you can just unhook the noodle (silvery tube) when you need to remove the wheel. You'll still be able to brake hard enough to stop yourself pretty fast, particularly if you are running both brakes and fixed.

Have you switched out the tires yet? If not stick some 23s on there at at least 100psi and you should find it easier to get up the hill. Other than that, keep at it and you'll ge there.

A 1/8th chain will fit on a 3/32 cog. It's the other way that won't work.

Thanks, yes. Assuming the supplied Tricross freewheel is actually 1/8th I will replace it with a 3/32 freewheel I have spare so I can swap wheels freely with my `all-3/32' Flyer.

Ok so now I've done some more searching and it looks like this chain (i.e. the whole Singlecross setup) is 3/32. Am I right? It's good from my POV.

Really? I was under the impression the Zen Messenger chainring, the KMC chain both were 1/8th?

I don't have the bike in front of me though (or even in my possession yet), so you have the upper hand here!

Have I missed something?
My Singlecross has a 1/8 chain ring, a 1/8 chain, but an 3/32 Shimano freewheel.
I swapped the freewheel to my daughters bike as she wanted that gearing. Her bike is all 3/32nd.
I stuck an Eno on the Tri (1/8 or 3/32).

Toodle pip

Sorry then if I have created confusion.
I have seen the chain model (KMC Z-510-HX) listed as 1/8 and 3/32 on different sites.
That is what confused me. There is no definitive answer on the Specialized S'cross site.
I will bow to those who have the goods as mine will not arrive until next week.

I have got a bit of an annoying rattle in mine, I thought it was my attempts to fit the mudguards.
However a closer look tonight. There is a small bit of ali swarf in the top tube which I am having trouble getting to the small hole in the seat tube.
Anyone got any ideas / tips on getting it out or if not stopping the noise?

Spray a small squirt of spray adhesive into the frame breather hole, shake till the swarf stops rattling then let it set.

Toodle pip

im having problems on mine - its too small. look int he general forum for the thread if you have anything to say. cheers

this thread is awesome; an amazing deal at the start, everyone buys, everyone now extols the virtues of this wondrous deal.

i am so tempted to buy one, even though i have no need or money for it. maybe i'll hit a trail one day...hm...

Whatever you do guys, don't let Pearsons fit one of their sprockets. They're shit. Otherwise Pearson's are top notch.

im having problems on mine - its too small. look int he general forum for the thread if you have anything to say. cheers
Your bike is too small for you?? I thought Pearson's make sure they measure people up on the bike?

Your bike is too small for you?? I thought Pearson's make sure they measure people up on the bike?

Hmm. Mine should arrive today or tomorrow, 54cm, we'll see if it fits or not. Hmm! Perils of ordering off the net!

They ran out of stock in 61cm size :-(

Anyone bought this size and found it to big? :-)

Spray a small squirt of spray adhesive into the frame breather hole, shake till the swarf stops rattling then let it set.

Toodle pip

sounds like a plan, thanks

Rode the beast home; my god why do mountain bikes exist? So pleasurable to ride. I was suprised how easy the gear was up hill. It won't be long before I up the ratio, I think.

One important tip, though, the sizing on Pearsons website is totally wrong. At 5'10" I was supposed to have the 56cm but it was massive! After trying on a couple 52 was clearly most appropriate so went for that. Guy was very friendly and helpful. They're a lovely little shop; its a shame so many of these local bike places have since closed down across much of the country.

Mark, will get onto BCD shortly.

Sorry if I mis understood this but you went to the shop to get it, you are 5'10 in height and you chose a 52cm?

At what point did you think it was too wee?

Bah I missed the home delivery of mine today. Have to wait another week unless I drive to the courier depot 30 miles away.

I notice lots on-line seem to be immedietly switching tires. Are the supplied ones really that `bad' for the road? Are they that good off-road?

Also, in the meantime... mudguards. Interesting concept. Have observed them for decades now. But in my advancing years I think I should partake of them. I assume I can get away with the narrower SKS chromos even on days I run fatter-tired wheels? The wider ones are obviously more protective but also look like drag chutes to me especially with narrow road tires.

Tires; I got my bike when there was snow and ice all over and they worked really well. As soon as everything else had defrosted I felt really slow and the rolling resistance up hill was really noticable. Switched to 28 Armadillo on the back and a 23 Michelin on the front both up to 120 psi and I'm flying along.

Mudguards; I'm using race blades. I pop them on in the morning if its wet and take them off when it's dry. Nice and easy and they fit well over anything up to a 32 slick.

Thanks TSK. I'm liking the idea of a fatter tire in the back. Fits in with the mental image of the Tricross s/s being a sporty pickup truck of a bike. (sorry... I lived in Canada when I was a teenager and petrolhead analogies were a staple diet.. come to think of it, the term SS' was branded to a few70s Chevrolet muscle cars with fat rear tires... but I digress).

I actually have a `spare' pair of race blades but I wonder if they have any tendency to get pinched when the bike is locked up in public for any length.. i.e. when commuting. Perhaps a cable lock will reach through both and be enough (plus D-lock).

I'm only using the Armadillo on the back because I had an old one kicking around the pile 'o bits and when I switch to fixed I reckon it should withstand a fair amount of learning to skid. Also the bike lanes in Swindon are shitty and littered with debris in winter so puncture resistance is a bonus. The alternatives on my commute being fast dual carriage ways or long diversions to get around the estates.

Once it's Spring, this bike will become my TT/flat audax bike, will be stripped down and be 23s front and back.

Got mine yesterday - haven't ridden it yet but it is all built up. I also got my bits to make it fixed yesterday afternoon, so I've threaded on the sprocket and lockring, didn't have any problems there either, although the lockring was a little tight - I kept thinking I had cross-threaded it and unscrewing it!

My first impressions are good though, the only weak link (as has been well documented) appears to be the brakes, which feel a little spongy - but then I have been using hydraulic disc brakes on my MTB for the last few weeks. The frame seems especially nice.

Regarding sizing - I called Pearsons to confirm delivery date and he said he was about to call me, and he had a 56cm for me but he could see I had changed to a 54cm. After a bit of a chat, he recommended the 56cm and so I agreed, and I'm glad I did - it is the right size, although I think I could have got away with a 54.

Anyway, nothing but good things to say about Pearsons - bet they got sick of me changing my mind, but they never showed it!