Specialized 2011 deal

muzzan

Hi Folks,

1st post ... Hoping for some help making a decision on a new hybrid since I have little or no clue about the technical specs of bikes but am keen to learn :-)

Am looking for a bike to commute my 13-odd mile each way trip to work taking in about half road/half canal path. Probably looking for something as light & fast as possible but which can stand some slightly rougher conditions/kerb hopping etc.

A dealer here in Glasgow currently has 2 specialized 2011 hybrids on offer, the Sirrus comp (£500) & Sirrus Expert (£650)

Like the look of both of them & have scheduled a trial for the w/e. Just wanted some advice in whether the Experts spec was worth the extra £150, or if indeed there were far better alternatives for this money. Links to specs are below, thanks very much in advance, promise I will come back & help out once I am up to speed (so to speak!)

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/ ... pert#specs

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/ ... comp#specs

godders1

Welcome!

The better group and rims are worth the extra money in my opinion.

Make sure you don’t brush past any of the road bikes in the shop, they might crumble into dust and you will be liable for the damage!

Ok, that’s my “clever” way of saying road bikes are fine with towpaths, crappy surfaces and kerbs and that you should really try one along with the hybrids you are looking at. Some come with (or will take) 28mm tyres (the same as the hybrids you’re looking at) and it’s this that has the most influence on how a bike will handle rougher surfaces (and how comfortable it will be). Personally I find 25mm is a good balance between efficiency and comfort.

I’d also keep an eye out for something that can take mudguards and possibly a luggage rack.

Cyclocross bikes are popular for commuting these days too.

A hybrid may be fine for you or you may be one of the many, many people who will be back in six months asking “which road bike for my commute”? If you consider and try a few different types of bike before parting with your hard earned cash it should help you to make the right decision first time.

muzzan

Thanks for that. To be honest I had basically discounted road bikes as I thought (and had been told by a couple of different retailers) that they were not suitable for the type of commute I am looking at. If this is not the case then I will certainly try a couple out...opens up a whole lot more possibilities.

Interested on any other views on this as it also appeals to me to go on longer rides at the w/e when the weather is good.

godders1

It is a myth that road bikes are “delicate”. Check out some Paris-Roubaix videos on youtube. I suspect a lot of the pavé sections are a lot rougher than your commute! :shock:



I know there are plenty of good bike shops/sales people out there but there are also those that will tell you that bike X is exactly the bike you need purely because it’s bike X that they’re trying to sell at that point in time.

And there are those who just don't know what they're talking about.

London_Falcon

+1 to the above comments.

I bought the 2011 Sport version of the Sirrus. It's great, really pleased with it.

BUT having a semi-decent bike made me get out far more often and in hindsight I wish I'd gone for a road bike.

apreading

Leaving aside the road bike/hybrid question though, both the Sirrus deals are great value. They have a really poor set of components for the RRP but this is a significant discount. If going for one of these I would deffo spend the extra as it is fairly low end kit on the comp, but that doesnt mean its bad.

The Sirrus does give a very soft ride and is quite an upright geometry - so very different from a road bike or more road oriented hybrids. It can take mudguards too. Its a really nice bike but very much a comfy cruiser rather than an aggressive racer.

muzzan

Great stuff guys cheers,

Looks like if its the hybrids then the Expert is the better shout. They are building the bikes properly for my test rides tomorrow & I called to ask about a road bike instead of the cheaper sirrus but turns out its too late as they've already been built. I can try one off the shop floor anyway. I think they are definitely trying to push the Sirrus' maybe to clear the stock but I will be trying a road bike anyway & if it feel better then so be it.

I am a little concerned about the "sit-up" nature of the Sirrus' even in comparison with other hybrids, though they say they will set it up as "sporty" as possible. We will see.

Will let you know how I get on, thanks again for the useful replies

muzzan

Guys,

Went to H*****ds this evening because wanted to see the Boardman Hybrid Team & also inetrested in the CX Team....
Despite my best efforts io corrupt a junior employee I couldnt get to try either of them though I liked the look & feel of the Hybrid in particular... is this really much better than the Sirrus Expert? If so I may be temped.... but how do they seriously expect to sell bikes for large sums if people cant try them?!? Do they at least have a decent returns policy?

apreading

The Boardman Hybrid is VERY different to the Sirrus. Whether it is better or not depends on your preferences. The Boardman is more agressive, with a more stretched out, racy position, is much lighter and begs to be ridden fast. The Sirrus is more upright (even with the stem set so that the bars are at their lowest) cruiser position, with a softer but less lively ride. As I say, totally different. The spec of the Boardman is better but that doesnt mean it is a better bike for you - you might find it too harsh and demanding a ride and want something more relaxed. Personally the Sirrus felt totally wrong to me, but there was no denying it absorbs the bumps really well and is a capable bike - feel is a very personal thing.

I think if I were regularly riding tow path I would maybe be more inclined to the softer ride of the Sirrus though. I rode the Kennet & Avon Canal to work the other day and the Boardman handled it very well but it was a harsh ride, even with 28c tyres on. The others here say that a road bike wont fall apart off road and they are right, but they might shake your fillings out and be an uncomfortable ride. One thing that the Boardman has in its favour though, is that it would take 32c tyres or maybe even 35c - not sure if the Sirrus would have clearance for these. Most CX bikes should take a 32c aswell, if you want the drop bars.

It doesnt help that you cant test ride the boardmans - or at most you will be allowed a ride around the car park (thats all I managed).

shouldbeinbed

Road bikes can take a little rougher than tarmac, one thing to remember is often a rock hard (100+ psi) 23mm wide tyre will not only feel plenty more bumps than a 75psi 28 or 32mm tyre but it is also more likely to deflect more randomly off stones etc and will require you to keep your wits about you or (ironically) go slower 'off road' to be sure of staying upright as readily. Dunno on your skills and income but if you are very new or a bit nervous about your handling skills either start hybrid with the view of trading up or be sure to take any road bike onto rougher surfaces

muzzan

Hi Folks,

Thanks again for the advice, an update on where I have got to:

So I tried the 2 sirrus hybrids and also a Specialized tricross (sport I think) bike and the verdict is....I really liked the cyclo cross style & I think thats the way I want to go, all I need to do now is decide which one! The budget is going up a fair bit (maybe up to (£1000), but I actually feel comfortable with this as the cyclo-cross option gives me everything I need (combo speed & ruggdness) and I much prefer the sportier position.

So far Ive had a ride of the Tricross & the Whyte Kings Cross (though may be tempted by the Charing X). I'm due to look at a scott CX Comp today, but the other major contender is obvioulsly the Boardman CX Team, which as far as I can see has at least as good a spec if not better than the others but is a bit cheaper( esp with a 10% discount I think I can get). It also looks the part & as far as I can glean is a really good bike....

Really, I would like to deal with a LBS if possible.... much more knowledgeable staff etc but am I willing to part with another £200 posssibly to get the same standard of bike or settle for something not as good? Not sure. If anyone has any recommendations I would be glad to hear them. Ideally I want as fast a bike as possible & I am thinking disc brakes as well for the poor weather we constantly have here in scotland).

Another potential factor is the Halfords return policy in case I dont like the bike (being unable to test ride it of course) Guy in shop said I could bring it back no problem as long as it was in re-saleable condition. Has anyone had any experience of this?