Which bike would you recommend?

Boden08

Following a tip off here, I've discovered McConveys in Belfast, and their website offers free postage to UK & ireland.
Two of the bikes I'm interested in are the Giant FCR 2 and the Specialised Sirrus Elite which are both available in Medium (50cm) @ £399. I'm 5'7" and reckon that would probably be ok - there are so many sizing figures that I'm confused between the various results I've got.
I'd welcome input from those on here on size and value who know a lot more than I do - they both seem to be in the same category to the ignorant, and are so much cheaper than I've seen locally.
Thanks for the help - learnt a lot reading the board!!!

Boden08

Wow!
I got 63 views but nobody cares to offer an opinion between the Giant FCR 2 & Specialised Sirrus Elite....?
Can't all be newbies like me...

Caroline_ie

hi - i recommend you do a search on the 'search' option ... as these bikes have already been discussed several times, The wiki page also has lots of info on these.
good luck

Boden08

Thanks Caroline,
Heard of them thru the searches, but comparing is still tricky when you don't know what half the spec actually means!
Learnt a lot about locks and accessories that way when I do get the new bike!

Caroline_ie

Are you in Dublin? if you are, maybe you should take a look at the sirrus at the 53degres north shop in Blanchadstown shp centre, to check on the size, last time i checked, they had a few on display. Your height seems to be on the limit between a M and a L size ...

M - 54cm 5` 6" - 5` 9" 168 - 175
L - 57cm 5` 9" - 6` 2" 175 - 188

Boden08

Great idea,
I'd already seen the other bike in Dublin , but didn't know that store had them,
Cheers!

copacetic

@ 5' 7" would definitely go with the medium of either.

kincsem

I have a Specialized Sirrus Elite triple (2005 model) bought in Cycleways. I am 5'8" and the bike is a 54.5 cm (I just looked at the sticker on the frame). I would say I am short legged but the 54.5 cm fits perfectly. The top tube slopes a bit for extra stand-over clearance.

I would suggest a 52 cm frame for you if they have that size. Even the 54 would probably be ok.

It is an excellent bike, a little more expensive than entry level bikes, but you get the quality for the price. It has frame lugs for mudguard and carrier fitting. The one problem I had was the suspension seatpost (saddle goes up and down over bumps). The collar that screwed the seatpost disintegrated within a few weeks (discovered the problem in Rathdrum 50 km from home). Cycleways replaced it with a standard (i.e. solid) seatpost.

I have done 100 km on it a few times. The lack of hand positions with the flat handlebars was a bit of a problem on long trips.

Boden08

Thanks for that.
That suspension saddle sounds like something more appropriate to a mountain bike?
Good to know you got that model in Cycleways - I'll take a closer look there or Blanch, and that way I can hopefully size it before going online.
Think the medium would be ok on a 29.5" leg length, but would be happier to try it out first.
Either the Sirrus or the FCR ok to put drops on, if the hand position becomes an issue? I'm primarily using it for commute, so shouldn't be an issue, but would like to do a bit more recreational cycling for fitness.
Also wondering if anyone else bought online from McConveys as to how assembled the bike was on arrival?? - I see from comments here that there's a big difference in work required, depending on supplier, but having seen prices as high as €699 for the FCR (Hollingsworth), the £399 for these looks too good to ignore.

TinyExplosions

Boden08 wrote: »

Also wondering if anyone else bought online from McConveys as to how assembled the bike was on arrival?? - I see from comments here that there's a big difference in work required, depending on supplier, but having seen prices as high as €699 for the FCR (Hollingsworth), the £399 for these looks too good to ignore.

Haven't purchased from McConveys, but there should be all that much assembly, and you can always stick the bits on and take it into a LBS (Local Bike Shop) to get it set up just so

It's always great to learn how these things go together!

MadHatter

I have a Sirrus base model from 2007, size medium (54.5 top tube). Similar to kincsem, I have 5' 8" but with shortish legs and the medium fits fine. I reckon it would fit you okay. I have a suspension seatpost too but no problems with it.

The deal on McConveys looks good, it's a lot of bike for that money. You'd better be quick.

Re the conversion to drops, one poster here has/had a Sirrus converted to drops, it's been covered in posts before. Believe it works out expensive though. Flat bars are fine for the commutes, but if you're thinking of doing long recreational rides (e.g. +50km) then you should probably look for drops from the start - or a second bike!

blorg

I have a Sirrus converted to drops, it is indeed expensive (the STI levers are the priciest bit) and you would have to change the brakes as well, maybe the front derailleur also. If you want a bike with drops, get a bike with drops, don't get the Sirrus planning on converting.

Boden08

Appreciate the input folks.
I think as I'm primarily commuting, I'll stick with the flat bars - the FCR has two positions which will help a bit.
Think it's great value - just need to see if I can get the cycling to work purchase in Belfast and I'm good to go... have ridden an FCR today - it was a Large and would be more comfortable on the Medium or ML even- will hunt down a Sirrus tomorrow.
I've even sourced an LBS who'll help with the tune-up so I've no fears on that score!

Civilian_Target

MadHatter wrote: »

but if you're thinking of doing long recreational rides (e.g. +50km) then you should probably look for drops from the start - or a second bike!

Straying a bit OT here but... why? Just to put less weight on your ass as you cycle?

niceonetom

Civilian_Target wrote: »

Straying a bit OT here but... why? Just to put less weight on your ass as you cycle?

aerodynamics. and having multiple hand positions.

Boden08

Back on topic!!!,
While there's still M size available...FCR 2 or Sirrus Elite???
Not many willing to commit to the question which is perhaps a good sign in one way, as no one is slagging off either bike...

xz

blorg wrote: »

I have a Sirrus converted to drops, it is indeed expensive (the STI levers are the priciest bit) and you would have to change the brakes as well, maybe the front derailleur also. If you want a bike with drops, get a bike with drops, don't get the Sirrus planning on converting.

you're a thirsty bugger Blorg:D, how in hell do you reach that extra bottle you have added? Have you got arms like an orangutan

copacetic

Boden08 wrote: »

Back on topic!!!,
While there's still M size available...FCR 2 or Sirrus Elite???
Not many willing to commit to the question which is perhaps a good sign in one way, as no one is slagging off either bike...

I'd take the sirrus, have had a couple of giants and a couple of spesh bikes and the spesh generally seem a bit 'nicer' if that is technical enough for you!

you won't go wrong with either though.

Boden08

Thanks Copacetic,
If I can get one of those 2008 specials at £399, I know I'm on a winner. I'm going to take a look at the Sirrus Elite tomorrow as I've seen the Giant already. That Spesh saddle seems dodgy, but that's easily sorted. I'll have to spoil it with mudguards and maybe a carrier or panniers, and from what I saw of the clearance on the FCR, full mudguards could be difficult, but I've noted the specs recommended by FCR owner-posters here who've been round that block already!

MadHatter

niceonetom wrote: »

Civilian_Target wrote: »

Straying a bit OT here but... why? Just to put less weight on your ass as you cycle?

aerodynamics. and having multiple hand positions.

What niceonetom said...and also for climbing and sprinting. Very difficult to climb out of the saddle on a flat bars bike - with drops you can grab the hoods and move your upper body forward over the front wheel, more practical for out of the saddle. Also sprinting, including sprinting to latch onto a wheel, is easier with drops.

@OP have never ridden a Giant so can't comment, but can vouch for the Sirrus. Both are good brands so sure you'd be happy with either, decision should come down to which you feel is more comfortable. Re the mudguards, Sirrus has plenty of room for full mudguards, with the Giant may need to use race blades. My wife has race blades on her hybrid commuter and while I'd be happy with them for winter use on a road bike, I wouldn't be a fan of them as a permanent fixture on a commuter. Just a personal opinion though...

kincsem

xz wrote: »

you're a thirsty bugger Blorg:D, how in hell do you reach that extra bottle you have added? Have you got arms like an orangutan

Thanks for the comment. I saw the picture but didn't notice the third bottle. I just looked at my Specialized Sirrus and found it has third bottle bolts under the downtube. Nice.

I bought a custom Setavento frame for a road bike, paid an extra £20 for third bottle mount bolts but have not used them yet. Useful for 200 km training rides though (as if).

neilled

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Haven't purchased from McConveys, but there should be all that much assembly, and you can always stick the bits on and take it into a LBS (Local Bike Shop) to get it set up just so

It's always great to learn how these things go together!

Legendary Shop. My mum got a bike from there when she was in college in queens. They've been around for ages and know their stuff.

cunavalos

neilled wrote: »

Legendary Shop. My mum got a bike from there when she was in college in queens. They've been around for ages and know their stuff.

i think i may have provided the tip off re mcconvey cycles to the op cos i got a specialized tricross single about six months ago from them. great service all round from them, bike was ordered on a thursday evening and arrived down south on monday afternoon.minimal assembly was required all i had to do was bolt on the wheels and pedals , insert seatpost and clamp in the handlebars and pump tyres everything else was done. (bear in mind my bike was a singlespeed so you may need to adjust gears)
sorry i cant help you re bike choice cos i havent ridden either of the two models

BostonB

What do we think of the weight of these bikes?

I'm looking for a fast commuter, with panniers & mud guards, but I didn't think the Sirrus is all that light. From a completely unscientific lifting them in the shop. I know weight isn't the be all and end all of things to consider. But still...

blorg

When I got my Sirrus it was light for a hybrid but certainly not as light as an entry-level road bike (I had a Trek 1000 around the same time to compare.) I suspect the Giant is similar.

Regarding my extra bottle cage, you would be thirsty too cycling in 40 C+! To be honest though I don't really use the third bottle much any more even though I have the mounts on my new tourer. It was primarily useful for keeping three types of liquid seperate (water, wine, energy drink.)

copacetic

would you not just wear the jesus sandles blorg and do your thing on the water when you need some wine??

Boden08

Thanks for all the useful input. Settled on the Sirrus Elite in the end (08 model - has the Shimano Tiagra and Armadillos which have been dropped from the 09 Elite). Hope to have it on the road next week.
Appreciate the help!,
Boden