I don't believe I have seen this bike talked about here yet. I was looking at the Langster configs available now (I own a 2007 Langster and was considering one of the theme bikes) and decided to take a look at the cyclocross bikes. I see they are now making the Tricross in a single form. I was considering a frame build for my next bike (the Salsa like Dave built), but the size might be a bit small anyway. This bike seems pretty good for the money, and since I have loved my Langster, this may be the next ride.

Something I considered was doing a bar swap for something more shallow, perhaps like the Soma Sparrow bars. My reason is that I do currently have a cross bike that serves a lot of time as my road bike (Lemond Poprad), but off road I never felt comfortable all the way down in the drops (heck, I rarely ride them on the road. Hoods for me!). This bike would be a "I am bored" bike. Maybe a spin around my teenie tiny neighborhood. Maybe a jaunt around the local trail. Maybe, well who knows.

Thoughts? I put this here instead of in the Cross forum as they are way too serious. I tried racing and it wasn't really for me. I am thinking this bike (maybe with bigger tires?) would be a fun new machine. That, and the wife said I could as my Christmas present. She actually said, and I kid you not, "you haven't bought a bike in a while, so that sounds like a good idea." I just got the Langster last December!

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32208

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/9081-41_l.jpg

I have one and I like it. The drop on the bars is not that much but you could find some that are a little more shallow.
I've used it to commute, race cyclocross and ride trails with some friends. It's a lot of fun. If you have any specific questions about the bike let me know.

OK, here are a few questions:
Can it fit bigger tires? How much bigger?
Is the rear wheel flip-flop?
How are the brakes?
Do the bars come with that stupid gel padding underneath? I spent a few hours scraping that off the bars on my Langster. That stuff should be a sin!

not bad, IMO it's better than those hideous langsters... however the extra cable braze-ons are stupid, and that fork looks like shat

if you like a more classic look, check out the bianchi san jose... price went up for 08, but msrp is still $100 less than the spec

OK, here are a few questions:
Can it fit bigger tires? How much bigger?
Is the rear wheel flip-flop?
How are the brakes?
Do the bars come with that stupid gel padding underneath? I spent a few hours scraping that off the bars on my Langster. That stuff should be a sin!

Answers...

I saw one at the shop with 700x45s, and they fit. Not much extra room in the back but definitely rideable. I don't recall the brand of tires.

The rear wheel is flip-flop but it doesn't come with a track cog.

The brakes stop the bike, arguably a little better than cantis. The levers felt funny at first but now I like them a lot.

Yes, the bars come with that stupid gel padding and the tape has adhesive. One of the first things I did was remove that gel stuff. I like tape with a good amount of padding but the gel is too much.

not bad, IMO it's better than those hideous langsters... however the extra cable braze-ons are stupid, and that fork looks like shat


The bikes don't actually have the extra cable braze-ons. Specialized should really update the picture on their website.
The fork does look funky but I guess you can fit a lot of mud in there. ???

i actually really dig the fork and frame shape. I have a classic frame with the Poprad, but i wouldn't mind something a bit more modern. As I understand it, the fork is quite functional too in its vibration reduction.

From the link provided, clicking the features tab (emphasis is mine):

Forged linear pull brakes w/ cartridge pads
Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, semi-compact Freeroad design, integrated headset, rack and fender fittings, horizontal dropouts with steel protectors
Forged linear pull brakes w/ cartridge pads
Specialized FACT carbon Tricross fork, carbon legs, aluminum steerer, SpeedZertz inserts, full rack and fender mounts
Forged Linear-Pull brakes w/ cartridge pads
Shimano 18t freewheel
Forged Linear-Pull brakes w/ cartridge pads
Specialized Houffalize Sport CX, 700x32c, wire bead, 60TPI
Shimano 18T freewheel
Specialized Houffalize Sport CX, 700x32c, wire bead, 60TPI
42T
Alex ACE-19, double wall rim, machined sidewalls w/ eyelets
Specialized Houffalize Sport CX, 700x32C, wire bead, 60TPI
Specialized Houffalize Sport CX, 700x32C, wire bead, 60TPI

Did we mention the brakes! Tires, it has tires too! I doubt it comes with 2 freewheels either. That really cracked me up.

SS cross bikes are the coolest. Get one, you will love it.

G

i actually really dig the fork and frame shape. I have a classic frame with the Poprad, but i wouldn't mind something a bit more modern. As I understand it, the fork is quite functional too in its vibration reduction.

Maybe the fork has that weird bulge near the top for the brake studs to add support

Those are called zertz, if I remember correctly. It is a plastic insert of some special design to decrease vibrations.

Ride an '05 Langster set up as a commuter and have ridden the Singlecross.The SC is more versatile and the V style brakes are much better than the Tekro on the Langster.If you need fenders and the like its a great option. I am just waiting for a better look than the Army green to come out.

It looks like this is what I will be looking at next. The more I look at it the more I want it.

IShe actually said, and I kid you not, "you haven't bought a bike in a while, so that sounds like a good idea."

She might be cheating on you. :p

Nice bike. The 2007 had some issues with creaking forks.

I know that is a joke, but let me say, publicly and with all honesty, that I have the greatest wife ever. She loves me immensely and wants me to be happy--to a fault. The truth is that there isn't much she won't do if she knows I think it will make me happy. I do everything I can to do the same for her.

I figured out a long time ago that true love, love that lasts, is not about finding someone that makes you happy. Too many people are looking for that one person to meet their own needs. No, love is finding that one person that you want to make happy. The person you will do anything for, at all cost. My life is literally engulfed with trying to meet every emotional and physical need my wife has. Luckily, she feels the same. Once I quit trying to get things from the relationship and focused on giving it was amazing how much I started to get (emotionally and physically, including "things" like bikes). In my marriage, and not really anywhere else, I am truly happy.

Word. :)

...This bike would be a "I am bored" bike. Maybe a spin around my teenie tiny neighborhood. Maybe a jaunt around the local trail. Maybe, well who knows.

Thoughts? I put this here instead of in the Cross forum as they are way too serious. I tried racing and it wasn't really for me. I am thinking this bike (maybe with bigger tires?) would be a fun new machine. That, and the wife said I could as my Christmas present. She actually said, and I kid you not, "you haven't bought a bike in a while, so that sounds like a good idea." I just got the Langster last December!

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32208

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/9081-41_l.jpg

If you are looking for a 'fun machine' to run with bigger tires, why not check out some of the rigid 29ers on the market. Machines that come to mind include:

Redline Monocog Flight 29er
GT Peace 29er (Heavy, but on sale for $479 at Performance)
Jamis Exile (If you can live with a 26, on sale for $629 at www.JensonUSA.com)
Kona Unit 2-9
On-One Inbred 29
Voodoo Dambala 29 SS (Sliding drop-outs, and on sale at www.JensonUSA.com for $699)

If racing becomes your thing again at some point in the future, a rigid 29er will not hold you back through at least 'B' races, as we have a couple of guys who podium in age groups and 'B' races.

Good luck with your choice, and enjoy the new bike.

Jollydriver

A few reaons, though i do see your point.

1. I find the cheaper 29ers, even the rigid ones, to be too heavy and bulky. They are biased toward real mountain bike trails with drops and what not that I don't really enjoy all that much.
2. I have a cross bike right now, and I enjoy the way it rides on my type of trail more than I do a mtb.
3. I have a rigid 26er right now that I am a bit bored with. Even with Mary bars and narrowish bars it still fills clunky.
4. I totally dig the "monster cross" look. It just totally rocks.

fwiw-I have never seen 45s in person (this isn't a big cross area), but I looked at a bike with 38s on it this weekend,and they were pretty big. I may go with someting more like that.