I just tried out a Specialized Tri-Cross a couple of weekends ago (I'm in the market for a touring/commuting bike, and am being very picky). I liked it a lot, and my trusted LBS guy said it's the bike he owns and rides the most for everyday and long rides, and he's had one for a few years. I've shopped my LBS for many years and I trust them.
Things I liked: - Light and fast, OMG. - Comfy for me. - The 47-cm frame seems to fit me well.
Things I did not like: -Shimano Ultegra shifters are too big for my hands, and I will miss the brakes and die on a hill somewhere. (Yes, I can replace the shifters with bar-end shifters, and I may do that if I decide to buy this bike; I have not yet decided to buy this bike, because I wish to try more bikes).
Definitely look at Surlys.
I've ridden Giants for the past 10 years, and found them comfy and pretty durable; however, I definitely found that the durability improved in the more expensive bikes. I did not try their touring models, because the same bike guy who has sold me two Giants recommended the Specialized, so I trusted him. However, if you're starting from scratch, by all means try out some Giants. I've liked their geometry in the past.
That's all I got. More as I try more bikes!
My list includes a small frame without toe-overlap and shifters that don't stretch my hands (I have small hands); otherwise, it looks a lot like yours.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-04-27 07:24 pm (UTC)Things I liked:
- Light and fast, OMG.
- Comfy for me.
- The 47-cm frame seems to fit me well.
Things I did not like:
-Shimano Ultegra shifters are too big for my hands, and I will miss the brakes and die on a hill somewhere. (Yes, I can replace the shifters with bar-end shifters, and I may do that if I decide to buy this bike; I have not yet decided to buy this bike, because I wish to try more bikes).
Definitely look at Surlys.
I've ridden Giants for the past 10 years, and found them comfy and pretty durable; however, I definitely found that the durability improved in the more expensive bikes. I did not try their touring models, because the same bike guy who has sold me two Giants recommended the Specialized, so I trusted him. However, if you're starting from scratch, by all means try out some Giants. I've liked their geometry in the past.
That's all I got. More as I try more bikes!
My list includes a small frame without toe-overlap and shifters that don't stretch my hands (I have small hands); otherwise, it looks a lot like yours.