need to make a CHEAP choice

[TiBikeNut]

I want an all round bike that's:

1] cheap ... < $1000

2] I could use a fixed gear bike

3] can take it on hard pack offroad trails.

4] use it for riding in fall and spring

My choices right now are between '08 Specialized Lanster w/ bull horn handle bars OR the '08 Specialized TriCross Sinlgecross

Some pros & cons:

Langster:
+ love the flat black
+ love the bull horn handle bars - remind of the ones i hacked together when I was 15 or so.
- worried about tires/rims and how much abuse they can take (max width is supposedly 28mm tires)
- could the track like geometery be a bit too aggressive for more than light offroading ?

TriCross Sinlgecross
+ tires are definitely wider so can handle more abuse.
+ love the flattened underside of the top tube for mving around trails etc/
- dont have the bull horn handle bars - easy to fix
- okay this sounds dumb .... but hate the mint/miltary green.... why specialized ? why ?

Other questions:

Is there a big difference between the A1 aluminium and the E5 aluminium?

Any other choice by easliy accessble brands like Cannondale etc?


Thanks in advance for any help/advice,

George

[Griswald4x4]

My vote goes for the fixed gear. But I would custom build one instead of a langster, everybody and their mom has a langster.

The fixie is going to let you do any road you want if you build it fairly durable.

[TiBikeNut]

I decided to go with the Tricross.... it seemed more all round.

Plus I saw a the Chicago Langster around downtown. I dont think Ive ever seen a tricross until I walked into the store.

My first mod will be to get rid of that "Army"green and black paint job and just paint it primer grey - with primer....

I have a set of old Specialized stickers for the down tube

Then I have to find a ti seat post.

Its going to be a great Xmas!

-George