I’m talking to someone some on FB marketplace that refurbishes bikes and sells them. He knows my height and arm length, he knows I’m a beginner rider – never owned a bike before. I’d like to do triathlons one day (I want to get comfortable on a bike first) but I’m scared to ride on roads since I’m so new. One thing I know is that I want drop handlebars.
He just got parts for a bike that he thinks would be great for me:
“2×10
It's a beautiful color and immaculate condition. $525
Carbon chainstay and Fact carbon fork
Zertz inserts for dampening
All Shimano high end group set except crank which is Gossamer which is a solid piece.
It's got a long reach
It's a cyclocross which is a sport that mixes road and light gravel. I'll put more beefy tires on it if you would like or prefer knobby.”
Could someone explain the tires to me? What’s truly the likelihood of being able to ride on gravel with this?
Thanks in advance!
by Anofrog
3 Comments
Yes, there’s no reason this wouldn’t be fine on gravel.
It’s fine for gravel. Not great because of the rim brakes, but fine for dirt roads.
This is a 250.00 bike btw. Anything that could be considered high end is 20 years old
The tricross was Specialized’s attempt to make a bike that could do everything. You can use it for touring (hence the second set of brake levers), cross racing, or gravel. What you want to use it for will depend on the tires you put on. I used to have one of these and had a set of slicks for commuting and a set of knobby tires for gravel.
On the downside, the tricross is a bit on the heavy side. The clearance isn’t great for proper gravel tires. you want 38 or 40’s for a comfortable ride but you would be lucky to get 34’s on this bike. If you ride into mud and have bigger tires on it, you’re finished.
All in all, they are durable and multi functional but not excellent for any specific discipline.
Considering the age, the cantilever brakes, I think the price is a bit too high.
Good luck with your search!