Specialized Sirrus Comp 2010?

jusmeig

Specialized Sirrus Comp 2010, anyone got one?
Yay or nay?

Planning on using it for commute to work (24k roundtrip) and occasional weekend ride.

dub50

Have a 2008 Cirrus comp, use it for a 30km round trip commuting to work
Sturdy bike though did have to replace the wheels as the rear wheel developed a crack when about 18 months old
There have been some posts on here before (I think) about the Alex rims not being a great wheel

Otherwise no complaints

jusmeig

I think their are different rims on the 2010 model.

Never had a crack in a wheel before, have had a few spokes loose and bad buckles but no cracks...

DirkVoodoo

I have Alex rims on my commuter, they are not the toughest but no cracks yet.

Like most road wheels they are not indestructible: weight, riding style (no kerb hopping, dodge those potholes, etc.) and tyre pressure all play their part.

jimm

dub50 wrote: »

Have a 2008 Cirrus comp, use it for a 30km round trip commuting to work
Sturdy bike though did have to replace the wheels as the rear wheel developed a crack when about 18 months old
There have been some posts on here before (I think) about the Alex rims not being a great wheel

Otherwise no complaints

I had trouble with Alex rims on an 08 Sirrus Pro.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=62698797#post62698797

SwimBikeRunIRE

Any decent bike shop should be happy to factor in a different wheelset if you are not 100% happy with the supplied set.

You may want to consider some Fulcrum 7's or Mavic Kysrium's, both solid wheels and shouldn't add too much to your bill.

Paul

scholesy

Hi.I got a new Sirrus Elite Hybrid.I do roughly the same commute (25k round trip) to and from work.Its a grand bike.Easy to handle, light and sturdy. I'd definitely recommend.I got lightweight mudguards as well.

irishmotorist

Perhaps, cast your mind into the future a bit and see if you have any idea that you might end up doing a bit more. I got a Sirrus a few years ago with the same intention and found quickly that doing sportives was an attractive proposition. After a year of sportives, I upgraded to a road (racer) bike and use that now as my commuter as well.

If you think you'll be just sticking with the commuting and short stuff, I'd say it's the man. If there's a chance that you'll be getting more and more into it, perhaps a road bike is worth consideration.

jusmeig

Thanks for the replies guys.
Got a Specialized Comp in the end. Great bike, big step up from my globe in terms of the weight/speed.

It has shortened by commute time considerably
Have yet to take it out for a race, but will be doing so soon.

budfox

Lads, I see a few of ye have the Sirrus. I bought a rockhopper last year...used it a fair bit but I always bricked about bringing into town cos worried about it being stolen...so just never did. So a few weeks ago I bought a Sirrus. Really nice bike, dead light too..

Question. I'd like to keep that as my commuter (the rockhopper for doing some trails when I can manage it fitness wise)...any thoughts on what mudguards I should use that would work with a rack and pannier?

Also, during the summer I'll be dropping lil fella to school on a Hamax child seat..I'm just thinking would the rockhopper be better/studier than the Sirrus? The wheels are quite lite on the Sirrus.

Sorry for the spa questions but just figure you guys might have racks already and indeed the same issue with the child seat..

BTW, I saw the bike park in Drury st carpark over the weekend when I was passing. It's great...I'll be using it whenever I go into town now....

BBTW, dont buy your derailleur hangers from Cycleways. THey charge E25 for them. In the UK/US the standard price is E10. Rip off...

thanks again....

blorg

SKS Chromoplastics are the best mudguards if you don't want to take them on and off quickly. They are quite a job to get on but once done they stay in place and offer excellent protection. Alternately you can get plastic ones that just clip on or off a bracket attached to the brake bridge- these are a fair bit cheaper and do work OK although not as good as the Chromoplastics.

The Sirrus should be fine for a child seat.

Bluefoam

Anyone used the new crud catcher mud guards for road bikes? Was planning to get a set.

budfox

blorg wrote: »

SKS Chromoplastics are the best mudguards if you don't want to take them on and off quickly. They are quite a job to get on but once done they stay in place and offer excellent protection. Alternately you can get plastic ones that just clip on or off a bracket attached to the brake bridge- these are a fair bit cheaper and do work OK although not as good as the Chromoplastics.

The Sirrus should be fine for a child seat.

Blorg, thanks for coming back to me. I saw these in town last week. They looked pretty tricky to get on all right..i think you have to cut the stays yourself...?...maybe I can get it done in a workshop somewhere...I saw on the board that there's a great mechanic near artane....

Are the ones?http://www.sks-germany.com/sks.php?l=en&a=product&i=6208801430
They look a bit like a dutch bike job...what do you think of these?

http://www.sks-germany.com/sks.php?l=en&a=product&i=5289300000

While I have ye, any rack and pannier ideas? ; )

blorg

Bluefoam wrote: »

Anyone used the new crud catcher mud guards for road bikes? Was planning to get a set.

They don't work well with 700x25c tyres which ruled them out for me. They work well I believe with 700x23c. If you want to buy a completely unused set (fitted rear and took it straight off again, never actually rode the bike with them as it was rubbing) let me know. €20.

If your bike can take real mudguards definitely go for them instead though, I would only consider them for a 700x23 bike with no clearance.

damagegt

Sorry if im jumping your thread.but im new in cycling and im cycling 30km every two days on a new but junk heavy bike with springs everywhere you can Imagen.now im not saying i know anything about bikes but i know this isn't what this bike was made for so im looking at the sirrus pro but im not gone on the racing bars,i know the 09 model doesn't have these but what i want to know is are racing bars something ill just have to get used to and if i got the bike with out them down the line will i end up changing them?

jusmeig

damagegt wrote: »

Sorry if im jumping your thread.but im new in cycling and im cycling 30km every two days on a new but junk heavy bike with springs everywhere you can Imagen.now im not saying i know anything about bikes but i know this isn't what this bike was made for so im looking at the sirrus pro but im not gone on the racing bars,i know the 09 model doesn't have these but what i want to know is are racing bars something ill just have to get used to and if i got the bike with out them down the line will i end up changing them?

The Sirrus 2010 has flat bars?
I did not buy a bike with racer handle bars as 90% of my commute is done in traffic. With racer bars your position is much lower, so you can't see over cars etc. Like you I have never used anything other than flat bars, so I guess it boils down to what you are comfortable with. Racer bars are better for speed as they reduce your profile, however reducing your profile when flying down the Malahide road in heavy traffic is not a good idea in my opinion!!!!

damagegt

jusmeig wrote: »

The Sirrus 2010 has flat bars?
I did not buy a bike with racer handle bars as 90% of my commute is done in traffic. With racer bars your position is much lower, so you can't see over cars etc. Like you I have never used anything other than flat bars, so I guess it boils down to what you are comfortable with. Racer bars are better for speed as they reduce your profile, however reducing your profile when flying down the Malahide road in heavy traffic is not a good idea in my opinion!!!!

sorry 09 has flat bars.i think ill stick with that model, is there anything i should watch out for with them?or anything you recommend i change?also were is a good place to pick one up?

Lumen

jusmeig wrote: »

With racer bars your position is much lower, so you can't see over cars etc. Like you I have never used anything other than flat bars

Then (with respect) you're offering an opinion from a position of ignorance.

Raam wrote: »

I think a road bike will not impede your visibility in any way.

My missus is a shade over 5 foot tall and has been commuting on her road bike in Dublin City everyday for the last few years.

jusmeig

damagegt wrote: »

sorry 09 has flat bars.i think ill stick with that model, is there anything i should watch out for with them?or anything you recommend i change?also were is a good place to pick one up?

I got mine in Cycleways. If u can avail of the cycle to work scheme you get 41% of the price off (Tax relief uo to a grand). Don't know if they have any of the 09 range left, the place was fairly well kitted out with the entire 2010 Specialized range.

irishmotorist

jusmeig wrote: »

With racer bars your position is much lower, so you can't see over cars etc.

Just my opinion on this, but I moved to a Cayo with dropped bars last year from being on a Sirrus and I didn't find that I'm that much lower on the Cayo. I've never measured it and it makes sense that it would be somewhat lower, but I find my visibility isn't hampered at all on the Cayo. If I was in the drops, that's one thing. However, I spend most of my commute time either on the hoods or the tops (depending on the situation, surroundings and my feelings on how quickly I might need to brake.)

Perhaps you could do a sit test on both styles with a measurement of what height your head is at.

damagegt

irishmotorist wrote: »

Just my opinion on this, but I moved to a Cayo with dropped bars last year from being on a Sirrus and I didn't find that I'm that much lower on the Cayo. I've never measured it and it makes sense that it would be somewhat lower, but I find my visibility isn't hampered at all on the Cayo. If I was in the drops, that's one thing. However, I spend most of my commute time either on the hoods or the tops (depending on the situation, surroundings and my feelings on how quickly I might need to brake.)

Perhaps you could do a sit test on both styles with a measurement of what height your head is at.

the only thing thats stopping me is im very tall and im worried about back pain but then i think thats just in my head from having never used drops before.The price of the sirrus pro 10 is a big jump from the 09 model.

jusmeig

Lumen wrote: »

Then (with respect) you're offering an opinion from a position of ignorance.

Point taken, however there is a reason that hybrid bikes have flat handlebars. That reason is to keep the rider upright....so they can see Kamikaze pedestrians. You can see more, and in traffic that makes me feel safer.

I'm 6'2 on a size 61 frame bike, and I can't see over some SUV's, your missus must have a 3 foot long neck

youcancallmeal

With regards the Alex rims I've had a bit trouble with them including buckles, broken spokes and I only noticed noticed a bad crack with one of them a few days ago. In fairness though the rim was around 4 years old and has a lot of mileage so maybe thats the norm?

Lumen

jusmeig wrote: »

Point taken, however there is a reason that hybrid bikes have flat handlebars. That reason is to keep the rider upright....so they can see Kamikaze pedestrians. You can see more, and in traffic that makes me feel safer.

I'm 6'2 on a size 61 frame bike, and I can't see over some SUV's, your missus must have a 3 foot long neck

Whoa there, she's not my missus yet. There are several divorces in the way of that plan.

You've sort of proved my point, in that whatever height you are there are plenty of vehicles you can't see over. There are much better ways to managing visibility than trying to see over vehicles.

In any case, the difference between a racer and hybrid position is only a couple of cm. If you really need the height just stand up on the pedals.

But yes, people buy hybrids partly for the reasons you describe, which is that they think they'll be be safer.

jusmeig

irishmotorist wrote: »

Perhaps you could do a sit test on both styles with a measurement of what height your head is at.

This is sound advice, and they will do this for you in cycleways. The guy in the shop changed out the stem for the handlebars as I was stretching, and thus lower my position due.

irishmotorist

damagegt wrote: »

the only thing thats stopping me is im very tall and im worried about back pain but then i think thats just in my head from having never used drops before.The price of the sirrus pro 10 is a big jump from the 09 model.

When I got the Cayo, back pain was one of my concerns and I just decided to go for it. Since getting it, I have felt MUCH more comfortable than I was on the Sirrus. I'm quite ignorant in the ways of bikefit, so I'm not sure if I'm adjusted properly now and wasn't on the Sirrus. Other things that I'd consider to be contributary are the fact that it's carbon fibre and it's such a smoother ride, it's hard to describe and also, I find the slightly more forward position actually stretches my back and possibly contributes to less dull pain in my lower back.

irishmotorist

jusmeig wrote: »

I'm 6'2 on a size 61 frame bike, and I can't see over some SUV's

You'll never see over some vehicles. Style of bike is kind of irrelevant for this. Style of cycling holds every relevance. If you're passing traffic and it's possible that somebody unseen can walk out in front of you from between cars (I'm thinking the quays and other mostly city centre (Dublin) streets) then you need to adjust your speed accordingly. Being able to see through windows is a help, but IMO not quite enough.

damagegt

irishmotorist wrote: »

When I got the Cayo, back pain was one of my concerns and I just decided to go for it. Since getting it, I have felt MUCH more comfortable than I was on the Sirrus. I'm quite ignorant in the ways of bikefit, so I'm not sure if I'm adjusted properly now and wasn't on the Sirrus. Other things that I'd consider to be contributary are the fact that it's carbon fibre and it's such a smoother ride, it's hard to describe and also, I find the slightly more forward position actually stretches my back and possibly contributes to less dull pain in my lower back.

Thanks for all the advice lads.Does cycleways stock cayo bikes aswell?would they leave you test the bike first in the shop lets say if i left the money with them?so i could get a better for them.

Lumen

damagegt wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice lads.Does cycleways stock cayo bikes aswell?would they leave you test the bike first in the shop lets say if i left the money with them?so i could get a better for them.

Eurocycles stock Focus bikes (and Felt), Cycleways don't. Maybe ring around a couple to see what's in stock. There have been reports of them providing test rides.

Focus bikes are not the incredible value of a couple of years ago, but they are still competitively priced for a shop bought bike.

blorg

damagegt wrote: »

sorry 09 has flat bars.

All Sirruses come with flat bars, including the 2010 Pro. It is a flat bar bike. You may have been shown a different Specialized with drops- an Allez, Secteur, Roubaix or Tarmac.

There are no significant issues with riding/commuting in traffic with dropped bars. Just a matter of getting used to. There are relaxed geometry bikes that will give you a more upright position closer to a hybrid while still having drop bars (from Specialized the Secteur/Roubaix and for that matter their cross bike, the Tricross.)

To an extent I am not sure there is a lot of point in spending the amount of money on the likes of a Sirrus Pro. What are you getting out of it over the cheaper Sirruses? It won't be faster than even the entry level Allez.

jusmeig

Lumen wrote: »

Whoa there, she's not my missus yet. There are several divorces in the way of that plan.

But yes, people buy hybrids partly for the reasons you describe, which is that they think they'll be be safer.

It's all about feeling safer and more comfortable I think. All the gear in the world is not going to make a ****e bit of difference is you meet the wrong idiot in the wrong place. (Ie woman stepping out from behind a bus) My flat handlebars only served to launch me further into the air

Good point about speed, I see a lot of near accidents caused by cyclists flying in dangerous areas. I mean you just know they are going to step out....you have a sixth sense....so just slow down :0

damagegt

blorg wrote: »

All Sirruses come with flat bars, including the 2010 Pro. It is a flat bar bike. You may have been shown a different Specialized with drops- an Allez, Secteur, Roubaix or Tarmac.

There are no significant issues with riding/commuting in traffic with dropped bars. Just a matter of getting used to. There are relaxed geometry bikes that will give you a more upright position closer to a hybrid while still having drop bars (from Specialized the Secteur/Roubaix and for that matter their cross bike, the Tricross.)

To an extent I am not sure there is a lot of point in spending the amount of money on the likes of a Sirrus Pro. What are you getting out of it over the cheaper Sirruses? It won't be faster than even the entry level Allez.

hhmmmm so many choices i dont know what to do now.im new to all this and Im starting to feel a little swamped.Do i buy a road bike?if not will i end up changing?carbon or not?the reason i was going to get the pro was if i ever felt i want to change the bars i could instead of changing to whole bike.

Lumen

jusmeig wrote: »

All the gear in the world is not going to make a ****e bit of difference is you meet the wrong idiot in the wrong place. (Ie woman stepping out from behind a bus)

A hybrid will definitely help to repel women.

Lumen

damagegt wrote: »

hhmmmm so many choices i dont know what to do now.im new to all this and Im starting to feel a little swamped.Do i buy a road bike?if not will i end up changing?carbon or not?the reason i was going to get the pro was if i ever felt i want to change the bars i could instead of changing to whole bike.

Ride a few, see how they feel! Some decisions are not resolvable just by thinking about them.

TBH the best thing you can do is buy a cheap second hand bike and try it for a while before you commit yourself to a massive spend. Depreciation on new bikes is horrific.

damagegt

i have a cheap bike and im cycling 30km every 2 days and its killing me .i do nothing but curse and swear at it the whole time and feel like throwing it over a ditch.I 7km away from home the last time and the peddle broke off!I think the best thing i can do is try some out.What would yours options be on buying second hand?

Lumen

damagegt wrote: »

What would yours options be on buying second hand?

Firstly I'd go to a decent shop or two, speak to the salespeople and test ride a couple of new bikes, to get an idea how they should feel. Most importantly, establish what size you need and make you you test a bike of the correct size.

Then have a look around adverts.ie (much improved for cycling) and our own Cycling Adverts subforum for a bike of the correct size.

Ideally for a road bike you want to be paying €250-€400 for something in excellent working order, depending on age and spec. Obviously high end bikes will be more than than, but you don't need one of those.

Feel free to post "is this good value?" questions about ads here, but not on the sales threads themselves (inviting thread spoiling doesn't go down very well, particularly on adverts.ie).

Once you've ridden a couple of new ones and a couple of used ones, you'll have a good feel for what's right for you.

The absolutely worst outcome is to splash a load of money on a new bike, then realise it's either the wrong type or the wrong size (done that myself, expensive mistake).

damagegt

Lumen wrote: »

Firstly I'd go to a decent shop or two, speak to the salespeople and test ride a couple of new bikes, to get an idea how they should feel. Most importantly, establish what size you need and make you you test a bike of the correct size.

Then have a look around adverts.ie (much improved for cycling) and our own Cycling Adverts subforum for a bike of the correct size.

Ideally for a road bike you want to be paying €250-€400 for something in excellent working order, depending on age and spec. Obviously high end bikes will be more than than, but you don't need one of those.

Feel free to post "is this good value?" questions about ads here, but not on the sales threads themselves (inviting thread spoiling doesn't go down very well, particularly on adverts.ie).

Once you've ridden a couple of new ones and a couple of used ones, you'll have a good feel for what's right for you.

The absolutely worst outcome is to splash a load of money on a new bike, then realise it's either the wrong type or the wrong size (done that myself, expensive mistake).

ok thanks ill take your advice on board and ill hit a few shops today and ask what they recommend and what prices they have and ill get back to ye.

Thanks again everyone. i was losing faith there for awhile.