Commuting - C'dale Bad Boy vs. Specialized Sirrus vs. Koga TerraLinerOval - thoughts?

Hello, all. Long time listener, first time caller. Sorry ahead of time for the large post.

I'm looking at a replacement for my bike that some kankerhoer stole last week (GRRR!! :mad: :mad: ), and seem to have narrowed it down to (note - European models, in case of any diff in spec):

Cannondale Bad Boy Rigid (http://fr.cannondale.com/bikes/04/ce/model-4MRBB.html)
Did a test ride today. Was good, but I was unimpressed with the brakes (particularly the pads). Many components are Cannondale and not 3rd party. So am now concerned that the quality of other components might also be unexceptional. I guess I was just annoyed with the pads at first, but then after reading many unfavourable comments here about the tyres, I start to wonder. Am also concerned that this really is just a "mtb w/ slicks", instead of what I would regard as a proper hybrid.

Specialized Sirrus Comp (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=5995)
Hope I can find a dealer that sells it (I'm in France - the market is polarised btwn mtb & road, with an immature hybrid market). This site has a lot of raves on the Sirrus, so I am really keen to check it out.

Koga Miyata TerraLinerOval (http://www.koga.com/uk/index.asp?file=/uk/bike.asp?collectionid=5&segmentid=33&id=9299707). A step up from my last bike, so I know what to expect. I hope to go to Holland soon, take a test ride, visit a coffeshop, enjoy some poffertjes, etc. ;-)

I would be surprised to find many people familiar with the Koga, but would appreciate any comments you have, particularly anyone who has tried both the Sirrus and the Bad Boy and can compare the two.

Summary:
Last bike was a Koga TerraLiner, I loved it - double-plus good. I know the pic just looks like another mtb-style hybrid, but trust me - they're very well built bikes (imho, if anyone knows bikes, it's the Dutch :) ). To me, a hybrid isn't simply a "mtb w/ slicks" or a "racer w/ straight handlebars". There's a subtle mix of comfort and frame design, tyres, componentry, ride, etc. that do make it a specific type of bike, and provides combined features that neither pure mtb nor racer provide. As you are (probably) not familiar with the Koga, I'll just say that the ride is precise and fast enough to be fun, great for commuting, excellent control, but comfortable enough to enjoy all-round.

Main concerns:

Tyres: last bike had 35mm. This seemed fast enough for me, but comfortable and reliable for bad weather & varied terrain. Sirrus/BadBoy are 26/28mm. I can change them, but the concern is that I can't test ride on different tyres, so have no idea how it would feel. Any thoughts on this? Maybe I will get used to 28mm, and eventually see 35mm as old and fat, but who knows? Would they be a lot faster and more fun?

Rims: my last 3 bikes have all had Mavic rims, and I'm chuffed to bits with them. Any experience out there w/ Exal or Alex rims, or more importantly Cannondale rims? Problems?

Frame: I think they are all steel, so no issue here. If I am wrong and Bad Boy is Alu, please correct me.

Forks: Sirrus is Carbon-Fibre. Others are Cro-Mo. Is there any noticeable difference in ride, comfort, problems? I have never ridden with carbon componentry, so have no idea.

And, needless to say, any general comments you have or possible recommendations for other models are welcome.

Yeesh, I think I've babbled quite enough now. Many humble apologies for the long post, please forgive me. I'll shut up now and leave it to you... (thanks for any advice you're about to give)
-Nicodemus

C-dale is al. I have the '03 bad boy and love it. This years model is more own components that the 03 which came with mavic rims and shinano hubs. The brakes are as good as the avids on my mtb single speed. The bad boy is similar in frame geo., as the koga. I have no complaints about the frame, fork, ride etc, light, quick and responsive. The 26x1.0 tires make for a firm ride. I have no knowledge on their own components. The pedals are strange though.
I found that it rides more like a road bike than a mtb or hybrid, more stretched out ride with a straight top tube. The ride for me is just as you described the koga you used to ride. Personally I would go with the c-dale as I am familar with the quality of the frame and am not much of a fan of specialized bikes and know squat about kogas. Sorry I can't help more, good luck and enjoy the ride.

Main concerns:
Forks: Sirrus is Carbon-Fibre. Others are Cro-Mo. Is there any noticeable difference in ride, comfort, problems? I have never ridden with carbon componentry, so have no idea.

And, needless to say, any general comments you have or possible recommendations for other models are welcome.

Yeesh, I think I've babbled quite enough now. Many humble apologies for the long post, please forgive me. I'll shut up now and leave it to you... (thanks for any advice you're about to give)
-Nicodemus

Nicodemus, i bought my 04 sirrus a week ago. i got the white sirrus, which is the base model of the sirrus. as for the carbon fibre fork... it's nice.. it does take a bit of the shock off. however... i didn't have the budget to get the sirrus with the carbon fork... so i got the base model. as for the disc brake sirrus.. i didn't have the need for it because it's just going to weigh the sirrus down.

as for the carbon forks.. you can upgrade later on. there are tons of aftermarket ones ranging from US$180 and up. now other than the fact that i didn't get the one with carbon fiber is that i test rode both of them... i love it! the white sirrus i buy is nice.. it's not as bouncy.. but it's nice too. i'll have to wait and see later on to upgrade. but in the meantime.. it's good enough.

i love my sirrus... even though i have to the shimano sora rear derailers.. but it's nice enough for me for now. :p hope that helped!

You have very good taste in hybrids. In my opinion, I would go for something steel. My next road bike will have to be steel. Jamis makes some very good street bikes with flat bars so I would look at them if they are available. I have a hybrid that's chromoly and love it to pieces. It's better than my Bianchi Hybrid that cost me close to $800.00 dollars. I like street bikes but everyone knows that Cannondale gives you a great frame but less components.

Since you like Koga, I would stay with that. It's a nice steel bike while the Cannondale and Sirrus are Alu. I would stick with steel.

Steel is REAL!!!

You have very good taste in hybrids. In my opinion, I would go for something steel. My next road bike will have to be steel. Jamis makes some very good street bikes with flat bars so I would look at them if they are available. I have a hybrid that's chromoly and love it to pieces. It's better than my Bianchi Hybrid that cost me close to $800.00 dollars. I like street bikes but everyone knows that Cannondale gives you a great frame but less components.

Since you like Koga, I would stay with that. It's a nice steel bike while the Cannondale and Sirrus are Alu. I would stick with steel.

Steel is REAL!!!

is aluminium frame type of bikes really that bad? :rolleyes: I think it should be ok. I mean since it's a hybrid road bike, i don't think you would be taking the bike to jump off and on the curb would ya? :eek:

for my sirrus, i love it to pieces as well. although it's not chromed.. but i still love it... the pure pearl white color with clearcoat... soo smooth. that's why i just ride it on friday and weekends only. but that's besides the point... like Dahon. Steve said.. stick with Koga if you like that one. Mostly.. go with the one that feels the best when you ride it.

Cheers,
rui :p

Thanks for your views. Yes, the whole Steel vs. Alu thing may be an issue. The only Alu bike I had was an mtb so there's no way I can really compare. As I understand it though, Alu is stiffer thus transfers the bumps more. The difference wouldn't be acute at first, but I suspect it's the kind of thing that has an eventual effect. The concern is that after long-term use, or on long rides, it will start to grate a bit.

Anyway, I'm still trying to find a place that stocks the Sirrus (damn French bike market!). As much as I may end up going with the Koga, I should at the very least try the Sirrus. Just because you're content with one thing doesn't mean that you won't find something better. Besides, half the fun of buying a new bike is all the window shopping and drooling and research and test riding!

I am likely not going to take the Cannondale. As much as the ride felt nice, well, that pretty much answers it: if the test ride doesn't grab me and say "I am the one!", then it's probably not.

Will keep you posted...

Thanks for your views. Yes, the whole Steel vs. Alu thing may be an issue. The only Alu bike I had was an mtb so there's no way I can really compare. As I understand it though, Alu is stiffer thus transfers the bumps more. The difference wouldn't be acute at first, but I suspect it's the kind of thing that has an eventual effect. The concern is that after long-term use, or on long rides, it will start to grate a bit.

Anyway, I'm still trying to find a place that stocks the Sirrus (damn French bike market!). As much as I may end up going with the Koga, I should at the very least try the Sirrus. Just because you're content with one thing doesn't mean that you won't find something better. Besides, half the fun of buying a new bike is all the window shopping and drooling and research and test riding!

I am likely not going to take the Cannondale. As much as the ride felt nice, well, that pretty much answers it: if the test ride doesn't grab me and say "I am the one!", then it's probably not.

Will keep you posted...

Have you check these two places? There are a lot of dealers in France. Just not sure how close they are to you. You might want to check their site. Specialized Dealer Locate Site (http://specializedrow-loc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/specializedrow_loc.cfg/php/loc/enduser/loc.php)

1. LA MAISON DU VELO
PARIS, 01 42 81 23 49

2. VTT CENTER
1 PLACE DE RUNGIS
PARIS, 75013
01-45-65-49-89

bonne chance mon ami,
rui :p

Yep, I already checked the Specialized website. VTT Centre specializes in mtbs. And La Maison du Velo doesn't even exist. See - no address. And it's a wrong number. Go figure.

what does the badboy cost?

what does the badboy cost?

Alot. My '03 cost $1150 Canadian which would be about $900 US

Yep, I already checked the Specialized website. VTT Centre specializes in mtbs. And La Maison du Velo doesn't even exist. See - no address. And it's a wrong number. Go figure.

sorry to hear that. :(

I test rode the Bad Boy here in Dublin. There was no way in hell I could afford it, but I didn't tell the dealer that cos it looked sweeet :)

I like the Sirrus a lot, but looking at the Koga, I wish we could get that here stateside!!! Steel LUGGED frame? Not to mention every accessory is included. Looks like a solid bike with decent components. How does the price compare for you Nicodemus?

I like the Sirrus a lot, but looking at the Koga, I wish we could get that here stateside!!! Steel LUGGED frame? Not to mention every accessory is included. Looks like a solid bike with decent components. How does the price compare for you Nicodemus?

i would have to agree with seely on this one.. the koga one looks great! the components on there looks very yummy too! i love those pedals!

Well, after my trip to Holland with a test ride on the Sirrus and no luck finding any Kogas in my size anywhere, I've gone for the Sirrus.

The Koga would have been nice, but at a price comparison of 1200 Eur for the Koga and 700Eur for the Sirrus I figured the difference was worth choosing the Sirrus. And they'll change the chainring and rear magazine for free, so excellent!

Bike's arriving this week sometime (i had to wait 2 weeks), and I can't wait!

...finally... after two long months I can ride again...

Well, after my trip to Holland with a test ride on the Sirrus and no luck finding any Kogas in my size anywhere, I've gone for the Sirrus.

The Koga would have been nice, but at a price comparison of 1200 Eur for the Koga and 700Eur for the Sirrus I figured the difference was worth choosing the Sirrus. And they'll change the chainring and rear magazine for free, so excellent!

Bike's arriving this week sometime (i had to wait 2 weeks), and I can't wait!

...finally... after two long months I can ride again...

nicodemus.. great to hear you chose the sirrus. i know how it feels to await for your new bike to arrive. with that extra money you saved you can now get other cool new toys... hehe :D