How Old is my Specialized Crossroads?

Rick Peoples has written to us twice wanting information on his Specialized Crossroads. He wants to know the year of its production and has had to help from Specialized. With the little information he has given us we explain why there is no problem by not knowing the age of your bike

Question: I bought a 1990s era Specialized Crossroads Expert for a commuter bike. Specialized cannot give me the year the bike was made or any information. Any ideas?
Rick.
And.

Question: Hi,
Did you get my email about identifying a Specialized Cross roads? I am commuting on one I rebuilt, but can’t get a year for it. It would help ordering parts in the future. Specialized has been no help.
Rick.

Hi Rick,
Sorry we didn’t answer your questions earlier, but it’s not the normal sort of question we get. You don’t tell us what equipment is on the bike; this would give us an idea as to the age, but let me explain why it’s not important.

The Specialized Crossroads Hybrid is a fairly standard bike, with standard fitting equipment, I will list them here:-

Frame; Specialized Ergo Cro-Mo.
Fork; TCR-D with 40mm travel, this occasionally changed.
Headset; Specialized 1 1/8th thread with loose bearings. Originally could have been 1 inch.
Stem; 1 1/8th Specialized Adjustable, also could have been 1 inch.
Handle bars; Specialized.
Brake Levers; 3 Finger.
Brakes; Cable pull “V” brakes, could originally been cantilevers.
Wheels; 700c with quick release hubs.
Front Hub; Specialized Alloy, 36hole, double sealed bearings, QR
Rear Hub; Shimano Parallax, 36 holes, QR
Rims; 36 hole Alex Z-1000, 700c, alloy
Spokes; Specialized, 2.0mm (14g), stainless, brass nipples, L294/R294mm front, L293/R291mm rear
Tires; 700c x 38, you can fit narrower.
Tubes; 700c x 38, Schrader valve
Pedals; Specialized platform, soft top, toe clip adaptable.
Seat Post; Alloy, 27.2 x 400mm.
Seat Post Clamp; Specialized alloy w/QR.
Saddle; Body Geometry Milano Comfort Max, this would change over the years.

The Drive Train will change, but this is not a problem as everything is a standard size and can be replaced. I will list what they used on one version, but this may not be the same as yours.

Rear Gear; Shimano Acera, long cage.
Front Gear; Shimano C-102, 28.6mm clamp, bottom pull.
Gear Shifter; SRAM MRX-Plus, grip shift, this changed over the years.
Cassette; Shimano HG freewheel, 8 speed, Mega Range, 11x34t.
Chain set; Specialized Forearm, polished arms.
Chain Rings; 48Sx38Sx28S, Super Shifter III, w/chainguard.
Bottom Bracket; TH Sport, square taper, 68mm shell, 113mm spindle, sealed cartridge.
Chain; Shimano IG-31.

Specialized Crossroads (2000)

That’s the kit that is on many Specialized Crossroads, all is standard fitting so can be replaced by any other standard equipment. Any bike shop should be able to help you with any newer bits that you need. Does this help?