Specialized Sirrus - Good choice for a commuter bike?

stueyscott
stueyscott Posts: 112
edited April 2010 in Commuting chat
My Wife is looking to replace two very old machines she's had since she was about 16! with one spangly commuter bike. Her work are doing the cycle to work scheme so she can get it cheap. Budget is no more than £400.

I like the look of the specialize sirrus - any body got any views on this as a commuter / family day out (with child seat attached) bike?

Other suggestions welcome

Comments

  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    It's fine.

    I would say something more specific if I could. I've got one, ridden a couple more, and they're just.... perfectly ok. I mean that in a good way; they're good bikes. Not a great deal more to say really.

    I'd say any of the big makes in that price range would do well, assuming it had mounts for a child seat.

    Far more important is one that fits her.
    Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Who can she buy from under her C2W? The Carrera Subway is a good tool as well.

    I wish I can remember the name (brand begins with an H) but my LBS has a lovely looking commuter, Shimano hub roller brakes both ends and hub geared.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • vitesse169
    vitesse169 Posts: 422
    A mate has one but put flat bars on it as he has a bad back. the more upright he is the better off he is. It's a good bike...
  • MIW
    MIW Posts: 5
    Its fine - I use one for my commute and light touring - no problems - mine's quite old now c6yrs and and no problems. Enjoy cycling it. Highly adaptable - eyes for mud guards, carrier front and back

    My partner brought a female specific specialised sirrus equivalent with carbon forks and stays used for communting leisure andlight touring - she enjoys it and is looking to upgrade kit for clipless pedals etc. The only thing she does not like is the 'butterfly' transfer.
  • Underscore
    Underscore Posts: 730
    stueyscott wrote:
    My Wife is looking to replace two very old machines she's had since she was about 16! with one spangly commuter bike. Her work are doing the cycle to work scheme so she can get it cheap. Budget is no more than £400.

    I like the look of the specialize sirrus - any body got any views on this as a commuter / family day out (with child seat attached) bike?

    Other suggestions welcome

    I've been using (what started out as) a Sirrus for commuting duties for nearly 10 years now and reckon that it would be pretty much spot on for what you describe as its intended use. My sister-in-law has also recently bought a Spesh Vita (the women's specific version of the Sirrus) for doing her non-MTB cycling and, from what I've heard, is really enjoying it and is even planning on using it for some touring on the continent this summer.

    _
  • pete54
    pete54 Posts: 488
    I've had a Sirrus for about two and a half years now and I love it. Used every day for commuting and I've just come back from touring on the Isle of Wight with panniers and bar bag.

    Mine was bottom of the range at the time, but the specs seem a lot worse in the current range, so it might be worth forking out a bit more to go up a couple of models.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Girly Sirrus (Vita Sport) owner here too - love my bike :)

    It's had a number of upgrades and I've had to tie my mudguard back on with a piece of string (bracket broke but that ain't the Vita's fault), but I'm very pleased with it!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    One thing to bear in mind - re sirrus vs vita - is that with a child seat on the back, the rider is going to have to get their leg over the top tube. The lower to top tube the better - so the vita might be a better bet if all other aspects of the two bikes are the same.
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    Meh, the Vita's top tube isn't even that low!
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • beverick
    beverick Posts: 3,461
    vitesse169 wrote:
    A mate has one but put flat bars on it as he has a bad back. the more upright he is the better off he is. It's a good bike...

    Doesn't the sirrus have flat bars anyway?

    Bob
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    sarajoy wrote:
    Meh, the Vita's top tube isn't even that low!

    So true, and I say that as a 'petite' 4'11 :)
  • sarajoy
    sarajoy Posts: 1,675
    You know, I can't even remember if I swing my leg over the back or tip the bike and step over! It's obviously too automatic for any thought, whichever way I do it. Be very surprised if I do both...

    8299-22_EL_vita_sport_black_d.jpg
    4537512329_a78cc710e6_o.gif4537512331_ec1ef42fea_o.gif
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    The white marin ladies about the same price (can't remember name) is quite good too by all accounts - says a female friend - comfy saddle and geometry very girl friendly.
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]

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