2017 Specialized Crosstrail Review (first ride)

[@richardpearson9337]

Excellent video, your voice is amazing, really like the way you present, a natural.

[@toyo2502]

I bought 2 of the 2017 Specialized Aliby in January of this year at a 250.00 discount with run free flat tires....it would only go up to 9 miles per he because of those tires no matter how fast I pedal or change gears ...i literally made me feel like I was having a heart attack ...today I took off those tires and put on regular tires w/ a tune and the bike goes 10 to 20 miles without effort...so I know how you feeo...thanks for your video, you prolly saved somebody some time,frustration and money!

[@alholds]

toyo 250 what are you talking about?? You have anxiety problems because the tires are nice!!

[@chaory2016]

Mostly higher end bikes comes with two front chain rings. That’s because more advanced bikes are mostly made for advanced cyclists, which will have the strength to push without having the granny one. Not saying that you are a newbie or anything, just pointing it out. And yes like you mentioned also, for weight purpose.

[@seniorscientist590]

Check rear sprocket gearing. Most pay more for less up front since it minimizes error, weight, etc. The difference is usually made up with a higher number of gears in the rear.

[@peter-b-2889]

It's not really how many gears you have, but the range of gear ratio's from low to high ... a bike with 20+ gears is going to have a lot of similar ratios, and I'll bet you don't ever use a lot of them, especially with three front sprockets. Also, you have to count the cogs on your cassette ... 3 gears in the front probably paired with an 11-28 cassette on the back. If you install an 11-32 or 11-34 (you can go as high as 11-40 cassette), Lo and Hi sprockets in the front will give you all the range you need for climbing hills, and might even have a lower low gear than a bike with 3 sprockets in the front.

[@tmayberry7559]

First let me address the three sprocket versus two sprockets to correct your pronunciation they are three chainrings or two chainrings and as the previous person said it's about the number of gear ratio that you have in the back now since you have two up front you need a wider range in the back from an 11: 32 to a 11: 36 I use an 11: 30 for myself secondly it also depends on how big of a chainring you have in the front if you have say a 44 tooth and a 34 tooth chainring it will even out what you have in the rear but personally I believe that you need an 11: 34 or an 1136 in the rear which you won't be using the 36 or 34 unless the hill is very steep I know that's a lot of information but I think changing the rear cassette will solve all of your problems or concerns

[@msjohncox]

True. I've had a Specialized Crosstrail for 3 years and I love it. However, there are maybe 15 distinct, usable gears. Some gears you can't use (like smallest sprocket in front and smallest sprocket in back/largest sprocket in front and largest sprocket in back) because there's too much offset and the chain rubs the front derailleur. Some of the other gears are duplicative. Still, it's an awesome bike and I've put almost 20,000 miles on mine.

[@mitchclem3404]

UPDATE: I was able to take the bike back for a refund. After more research and test drives, I decided I liked the TREK DS (dual sport) series the best. They range 8.0 (base) thru 8.6 (high end/carbon/expensive). I believe the carbon forks start at the 8.3 model, so I would recommend 8.3 and above. Actually, as luck would have it, I jumped on craigslist and found an 8.5 for $400 in great condition. They are in the $1100 range new. 3 sprockets, great range in gears, light weight, lock out front fork for climbing. I love it. Got lucky.

[@MYNDRIGHT]

mitch clem was about to comment on 2x chainring, supposedly 1x and 2x are the rage... I have trek ds 8.4 2014 was contemplating upgrading to 2x thanks for the insight, great price paid $800 new...great all around bike.

[@Carlos_Arrebol]

in the lightest gear combination i have climbed really, really steep roads with no problem at all.. the gear range is completley covered, the thing is you do not have that tiny combinations that gives 24, but is really no problem at all.

[@mcp682112]

I have a hydraulic one and it's bad ass I upgraded the rims with more meaty tires and it's a great ride. The brakes are very quick it shift's awesome and it fits like a glove.!!

[@marloncordova9006]

Sorry to bother you I have a 2018 especialized hybrid crosstrail and I was wondering if I can switch my tires for ground control especialized tires for more rough terrain? These are more of a mountain bike tires but not Soo thick. If you know I gladly appreciate the advice?

[@EricEvolving]

great review! I bought the base model, mine has 3 sprocket :).

[@palykom]

hi budy, thank you for great review. I'm thinking out about buying this bike but i can't find any info about its weight. Your bike looks like size M, or am I wrong? Is there any possibilities to provide the weight of your bike?

[@msjohncox]

I saw a review where someone weighed it and it's right at 30 pounds.

[@wiggybends3632]

Dude- how do you buy a bike without knowing gear range?

[@SikhJedi]

Just bought this bike. Love it. The guy in this video needs to do more research because he's pretty clueless when it comes to drivetrains lol

[@kaput450]

Bummer, I think it may be to simplify. I rode a few high end bikes lately that have only one chain ring in front.

[@darrengarlough5121]

for a person 5ft do you think it would be a good fit?

[@seattlesfinest1927]

Darren Garlough NO! Get a toddler bike!

[@richardpearson9337]

Or a push scooter.

[@chriso7224]

Did you return the bike for a different model? I'm looking at the same one. The higher end models are not 3 by's.

[@igorrosales1799]

How much did you pay fo this bike?

[@giancarlom.7126]

I don't know if you realized it now (since you made this 2017 and it's now 2018), but the high-end or the top-tier (like in Trek, it'll be the DS4) of the bike range only has two sprockets because it's thought that they're going to be "racy" than the usual 3-sprockets would normally do.

[@jamesgibson3242]

I prefer one gear in front. Hate more than one.

[@specialized29er86]

My new 2017 Specialized Crosstrail commuter bike has the fitness brain front fork system and its pure crap, the bike is mostly lovely well that is except for the fitness brain fork, completely useless. I hate the fork that much I had it replaced with a 700c Rockshox Paragon fork. Very disappointing when you buy a new bike based on the fitness brain fork and the 2 x 10 gearing and then you find the fork is no farking good.