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Official Specialized Crosstrail owners thread

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Official Specialized Crosstrail owners thread

Old 05-17-18, 07:14 AM
  #701  
taz777
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Originally Posted by DougG
I'm surprised to hear that. My first disc brakes were mechanical ones on a Giant Sedona that were not so great, but I have had no complaints about the hydraulics on my first-generation 2013 Crosstrail nor the ones on my Felt VR5. What is it about yours that is not right?
Just the bite of the brakes is very weak. I've tried to condition the brakes with a series of hard stops but that doesn't help. I'm comparing the brakes to my old cheap hybrid which had ridiculous stopping power and you would slide onto the top bar if you weren't careful, and also my previous Roubaix SL4.

In fact, it's impossible to lock the brakes up which surprises me. I've already cleaned the rotors with IPA. I suspect the pads may be contaminated. The bike is still under warranty and I thought about replacing the pads to see if that fixes the braking issue.

According to the specs, the brakes are TRP Flow Set Control brakes with metal pads on the front and resin pads on the rear.
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Old 05-17-18, 02:59 PM
  #702  
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Originally Posted by taz777
Just the bite of the brakes is very weak. I've tried to condition the brakes with a series of hard stops but that doesn't help. I'm comparing the brakes to my old cheap hybrid which had ridiculous stopping power and you would slide onto the top bar if you weren't careful, and also my previous Roubaix SL4.

In fact, it's impossible to lock the brakes up which surprises me. I've already cleaned the rotors with IPA. I suspect the pads may be contaminated. The bike is still under warranty and I thought about replacing the pads to see if that fixes the braking issue.

According to the specs, the brakes are TRP Flow Set Control brakes with metal pads on the front and resin pads on the rear.
Could just swap out the pads for something different to see if new pads make a difference. They are cheap. It's an easy thing to try.
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Old 05-17-18, 04:54 PM
  #703  
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It sounds like the brake pad friction material may be glazed. You could try new pads. First, I might try taking the brake pads out, scuffing them up on a piece of medium grit abrasive paper (say, 220 grit or so), and then reinstalling them. That would remove any glaze that may be on the surface of the friction material.
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Old 05-18-18, 09:42 AM
  #704  
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I bought a 2015 Sport and must say I'm in love. A huge upgrade considering I was riding a bike produced in West Germany. First ride on my favorite hilly place and I barely felt the climbs, with the old bike I'd have my tongue out like an old tired dog. 😂
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Old 05-19-18, 07:56 AM
  #705  
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Thule ProRide vs. Thule Upride bike rack

Folks,

It is getting to be that time again...…. packing up the vehicle and heading out on vacation.....

Where do I put my bike?

I have been looking at the Thule bike roof racks and am wondering if anyone as any experience with the Thule 598 ProRide or the Thule UpRide roof racks.

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/bike-...ride-_-1691276

https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/bike-...pride-_-599000


I have to tow something so the rear hitch is not an option.

Looking for some feedback or experience.

Thanks!!

JJ
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Old 05-21-18, 05:46 AM
  #706  
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Originally Posted by taz777
One downside is that the brakes are absolutely terrible! This is something I need to look at and will ask the shop to investigate when the service time is due.

However, overall it's a lovely bike and is built very well - it feels solid and a high quality product.
Something isn’t right with your brakes. My Crosstrail Elite has the same brakes and the are very sensitive with lots of stopping power. Recommend you take them to you LBS for a good checkout. Good luck
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Old 05-22-18, 10:06 AM
  #707  
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Originally Posted by daveg22152
Can anyone tell me the procedure for lowering the stem height on the Crosstrail? The Crosstrail stem is closed on the top and it appears that I'd have to cut the steerer tube in addition to removing spacers. I'd like to avoid a irreversible change in order to tweak my fit on the bike.
That stem should be capable of four different heights. Go to your Specialized Dealer, and they will show you how to do it..... and, my Specialized Dealer has a box, fitted with all the different stems which are branded "Specialized" Just open the box, pick one.
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Old 06-04-18, 07:12 AM
  #708  
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Bottom bracket replacement

Hi everyone. I'm looking to replace the bottom bracket on my 2015 specialized crosstrail sport. I've removed the BB but the label has disintegrated so it's unreadable.
I've measured the spindle length as 117mm but the shimano un55 spindle sizes comes as 115mm or 118mm! Can anyone help on which one I need or even better confirm the size of part from an actual installed BB?


Many thanks.
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Old 06-04-18, 08:03 AM
  #709  
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Originally Posted by Gooeynote
Hi everyone. I'm looking to replace the bottom bracket on my 2015 specialized crosstrail sport. I've removed the BB but the label has disintegrated so it's unreadable.
I've measured the spindle length as 117mm but the shimano un55 spindle sizes comes as 115mm or 118mm! Can anyone help on which one I need or even better confirm the size of part from an actual installed BB?


Many thanks.
The BB in my Crosstrail Sport and am betting the other Crosstrails with the same A1 frame uses a VP component 68x118. But you may want to double check on size if you have a newer Crosstrail than mine.
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Old 06-04-18, 08:38 AM
  #710  
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Originally Posted by travbikeman
The BB in my Crosstrail Sport and am betting the other Crosstrails with the same A1 frame uses a VP component 68x118. But you may want to double check on size if you have a newer Crosstrail than mine.
My bike is exactly the same one in your pics (black with red trim?) so thanks for confirming the size. I assumed it was a shimano.

I guess the vp brand is pretty rubbish as I've had to service it twice in 6 months?
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Old 06-04-18, 10:05 AM
  #711  
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Originally Posted by Gooeynote
My bike is exactly the same one in your pics (black with red trim?) so thanks for confirming the size. I assumed it was a shimano.

I guess the vp brand is pretty rubbish as I've had to service it twice in 6 months?
Many users don't have problems with VP, but it seems to me the past few years, there have been several of us that have had to replace the BB. I know for me, I killed it since I was going through streams and lots of mud. So I can't blame the brand as much as the way I rode.

I changed it over to the Shimano UN55 for about a year before I bent a chainring and decided to try a little stiffer cranks with an Octalink BB and crank.
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Old 06-09-18, 06:42 PM
  #712  
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I have a 2016 Crosstrail Elite and this is the BB that was installed:

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Old 06-15-18, 11:13 AM
  #713  
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Does anyone know if my 2017 Crosstrail Disc has a freewheel or a freehub?

I'm having a problem with that area and the good people in the mechanics forum are trying to help me.
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Old 06-15-18, 12:00 PM
  #714  
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Originally Posted by Skipjacks
Does anyone know if my 2017 Crosstrail Disc has a freewheel or a freehub?

I'm having a problem with that area and the good people in the mechanics forum are trying to help me.
It will have a freehub (with a cassette).
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Old 06-16-18, 04:14 PM
  #715  
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Has anybody installed a rear rack on their CrossTrail? I’m looking to make mine a little more practical and want to fit a rear rack on it, but don’t know which ones would fit.
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Old 06-16-18, 08:27 PM
  #716  
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Originally Posted by taz777
Has anybody installed a rear rack on their CrossTrail? I’m looking to make mine a little more practical and want to fit a rear rack on it, but don’t know which ones would fit.
I purchased this when I bought my CrossTrail:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/el...-rack/p/130480

I was new to biking and I just went with the Specialized brand. It cost more and it does fit. The metal tab that can be used to attached a rear light, failed after two years from vibration. If I had to do it again, I would go with:

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/racks
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Old 06-16-18, 09:18 PM
  #717  
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@themp: Okay, so I don’t need to buy the Specialized one, which is good to know.
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Old 06-17-18, 09:13 PM
  #718  
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Originally Posted by taz777
Has anybody installed a rear rack on their CrossTrail? I’m looking to make mine a little more practical and want to fit a rear rack on it, but don’t know which ones would fit.
I put one of the Bontrager racks on mine.

If I were doing it today, I would probably go with one of the MTX Topeak racks.
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Old 06-18-18, 01:38 AM
  #719  
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Originally Posted by Tanstaafl
I put one of the Bontrager racks on mine.

If I were doing it today, I would probably go with one of the MTX Topeak racks.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to start looking at making my CrossTrail a bit more practical for regular use.
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Old 06-18-18, 06:48 AM
  #720  
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I have a Topeak Explorer MTX rack on my Roam. I don't yet have the MTX bag for it, and I still use a regular trunk bag. However, I'd probably still buy this rack even if I wasn't planning on using a bag -- it's a really sturdy rack, and has a very nice semi-gloss finish on it. For about the same price as other aftermarket racks, I think it's a pretty good value.

The MTX bags, on the other hand, can be pretty spendy. Shop wisely there.
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Old 06-18-18, 08:08 AM
  #721  
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Originally Posted by taz777
Has anybody installed a rear rack on their CrossTrail? I’m looking to make mine a little more practical and want to fit a rear rack on it, but don’t know which ones would fit.
I went with the Axiom Journey rack. I could not be happier with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Journey...SIN=B0025ULKGG

(90% sure you can get it cheaper than the $37 price on Amazon. i think I paid $30 last year special ordering through a LBS)

When installed correctly it's rock solid, like it's a part of the bike.

I did NOT get the one specially made for bikes with disc brakes. The Crosstrail doesn't need it due to the placement of the brake calipers. I did have to stretch the rack about and inch, but no big deal.

There are not 2 levels of rails. So it's more difficult to do a trunk bag and panniers. There is one top rail. So depending on your uses, that might be an issue.

It hangs panniers very well. The top rails are not parrallel. They are angled to reduce heal strike on the panniers. And that feature works great for my size 12's. Plus the angled rails give it a unique look.




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Old 06-18-18, 01:52 PM
  #722  
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I ended up going on the lesser expensive range on the racks:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop...1-rack-20-5699

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Old 06-19-18, 06:26 AM
  #723  
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Originally Posted by travbikeman
I ended up going on the lesser expensive range on the racks:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop...1-rack-20-5699
+1 on the Transit rack. Put it on when I bought the bike in '13 and it's still serving me well. Useful as a rear fender also.
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Old 06-19-18, 09:52 AM
  #724  
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Originally Posted by Skipjacks
Could just swap out the pads for something different to see if new pads make a difference. They are cheap. It's an easy thing to try.
Got some new pads on order. It's not a bleed issue as the levers feel strong. I'm going to clean and set up the calipers and pads from scratch next weekend.

I have a strong suspicion that the pads are contaminated.

The brakes do work, just not as strongly as I expected them to work.
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Old 06-19-18, 09:57 AM
  #725  
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Originally Posted by hokiefyd
I have a Topeak Explorer MTX rack on my Roam. I don't yet have the MTX bag for it, and I still use a regular trunk bag. However, I'd probably still buy this rack even if I wasn't planning on using a bag -- it's a really sturdy rack, and has a very nice semi-gloss finish on it. For about the same price as other aftermarket racks, I think it's a pretty good value.

The MTX bags, on the other hand, can be pretty spendy. Shop wisely there.
I've been on the Topeak looking at their racks:

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/racks

Which specific Topeak Explorer do you have from that page? It seems that there are several derivatives of the Explorer rack so I need to know which one would fit the CrossTrail.

I think it could be either of these:

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/pro...sc)-(w--spring)

or

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/pro...c)-(w-o-spring)

The first link has a 'spring' and the second does not.
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