verenti v specialized secteur elite

saltydog

Looking for my first Road Bike I have been riding a Specialized Sirrus Elite for the past 4 months or so and now want to moveup although I do want to maintain a relaxed geometry
and to this end I have been looking at the Verenti Milhook and Specialized Secteur.
For you info I am 52 so dont wantanything dragging me over the bars many thanks in advance

night_porter

It would be easy to just say the more expensive Verenti but you don't say which Secteur you are looking at.

Irrespective of which groupset or how expensive either is the best one to buy is the one that feels nicest to ride.

This is not an easy question for you to answer though because the Verenti currently has 21% discount at the moment. This means that it does not qualify for a test ride, the small print on Wiggle's website says any bike which has greater than 15% discount does not qualify for the 30 day test ride.

If you live near to a Spesh dealer you could go along and ask for a test ride. Given that you have ridden a spesh for the last 4 years I would suspect you would be happy with one of the Secteur models.

Also a good lbs will help you to get the right sized bike so again the Spesh should win out.

saltydog

Thanks for that its the secteur elite

arlowood

Hi saltydog

I bought the 2010 Secteur Elite last September from Leisure Lakes after deciding that I needed a change from my 14 year old Mercian.

Done 900 or so very enjoyable miles so far and am planning to try a few sportives during this year. Can't comment on the Verenti but I'm sure you would not be disappointed with the Elite. The geometry of your Sirrus is the same (I think) so you should not find any problems switching. There are still some 2010 models available in sizes up to 56 priced at £799 :-

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/produc ... ?&id=11652

- so you might be able to nab one of those which are kitted out with 105 drivetrains. The 2011 Elite has now got SRAM Apex gearing although I don't know if that makes too much difference.

I am a bit older than you (60+) and find the geometry comfortable but still sporty enough to put on a turn of speed when needed.

night_porter

Hmmm Leisure Lakes does look an excellent buy and I have to agree that you will almost certainly be comfortable on the Secteur but I would still seek out a local bike shop so that I could try one first.

The main reason for caution would be that it is going to be your first road bike!

When I got on my roadie at first I wasn't sure if I was comfortable with the setup or if anything needed changing. It will feel different to the hybrid but some things you get used to and some things you need to alter (stem length, bar tape, bar angle. etc.) doing this face to face with someone advising you should help a lot.

By all means buy a bike mail order if you are completely comfortable on how to set it all up to fit you fine but there is no substitute for experience. But then I am 5' 9" and there are 2 possible sizes that would fit me (according to LL website) and riding both sizes to see which is more comfortable would be my prime goal.

Just out of interest I am 54 and I went from a flat bar road bike similar to the Spesh to a drop bar roadie by buying a bar and new shifters from ebay and fitting them myself. It was a low cost approach to trying something out but it worked perfectly. Since then I bought a road bike and still use the converted one for commuting. They both feel and ride exactly the same. so my experiment worked and I now have a a full back up for my commute.

saltydog

Thank you

lakes bikes look good deals

Night Porter I like the idea of adapting with new bar and shifters just to see I will try that first, I do think I a leaning toward the Verenti

Againthank you both for your time to reply