Road Cycling - My modified '02 Specialized Sirrus Elite

Just thought I'd share with everyone the end results after modifying my Sirrus.

2002 Specialized Sirrus Elite (color: Clear Titanium)

Modifications:
Ritchey BioMax Pro Road Bar (44mm)
Ritchey Pro Stem (110mm)
Shimano 9-Speed 105 Dual Control Levers (Black)
Shimano Flight Deck computer
Specialized Body Geometry Phat Tape
Avid Shorty 4's cantilever brakes (front & rear)
Profile Design AirStryke 2000 aerobar
Specialized '03 Comfort Plus saddle

Here are a few pics, with links to the rest below:

http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_1.jpg

http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_2.jpg

http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_3.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_4.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_5.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_6.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_7.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_8.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_9.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_10.jpg
http://www.newworldcichlids.com/images/bike/02_sirrus_elite/sirrus_11.jpg

I find the Aero bars on the bike look kind funky. But if it works, who cares right?

Nice job!

I find the Aero bars on the bike look kind funky. But if it works, who cares right?

Nice job!

Well basically it's now an "upgraded" Sequoia. What looks funky to you? I know for myself, I need to adjust the aerobars to tip up a bit.

A triple, a trunk and a suspension seatpost. I think my grandmother has the same set up.

BTW it's grey not "titanium", why would you buy into their marketing BS?

A triple, a trunk and a suspension seatpost. I think my grandmother has the same set up.

BTW it's grey not "titanium", why would you buy into their marketing BS?

Your grandmother probably logs more miles than you do, too.

Now be more nicer. ;)

NEVER lean a bike by its frame on anything, you'll scratch the paint.

A triple, a trunk and a suspension seatpost. I think my grandmother has the same set up.

BTW it's grey not "titanium", why would you buy into their marketing BS?

Ahh...I've heard of your posts....thanks for the positive feedback :(

Actually if anything it's silver, but the color is called "Clear Titanium" by Specialized. :rolleyes:

The seatpost is on the list of things to go next, just trying to decide on what to go with...it's a USE SX stock. I bought the bike w/ the bag, and was going to ditch it at first but it is very handy on long rides...not that I need to defend it.

That must be a near perfect bike!

As nearly as I can tell, there's only one person in the whole world that bike is supposed to make happy. Since wildbill thought enough of it to post pictures on this board, it must be doing a pretty good job.

The style police never sleep and they're never satisfied.

Well basically it's now an "upgraded" Sequoia. What looks funky to you? I know for myself, I need to adjust the aerobars to tip up a bit.

Well I actually think all aero bars look kind of "funky" so it's not just your bike :D

Nice ride, I see attention to detail to one's needs, outstanding job and how does it ride. :)

Sweet.... looks like it would make a GREAT commuter and still be fast enough for group rides and the like.

nice job wildbill... ur a inspiration to me! that's so nice setup! what degree was your stem? so how much did the whole setup set you back, minus the aero bar that is.

rui

Why not just get a road bike, ru?

Thanks guys! :)

The stem is a 73/17 I think, flipped upside down...I'll have to check w/ the bike shop next time I'm in to confirm, I know it was between this one and the Pro adjustable one, which I may switch to at some point.

So far the upgrades have cost me ~$700 including the aerobar...so say $600 w/o. That also includes the Flight Deck @ 80.00 too, so ~$520 w/o that.

Next bike will be either a Roubaix or Allez depending on what I can get at model year end deal wise. ;)

well, what you have there is very close to the seqioa that specialized makes now.

Looks like a comfy ride...I love my body geometry saddle. have you considered doeng some touring on that bike? it looks prety well suited for it. nice upright postion, and aerobars for multiple hand positions.

Why not just get a road bike, ru?

cuz i bought my sirrus before i got more knowledge about road bikes. plus i like the feel and the look of the sirrus.

Thanks guys! :)

The stem is a 73/17 I think, flipped upside down...I'll have to check w/ the bike shop next time I'm in to confirm, I know it was between this one and the Pro adjustable one, which I may switch to at some point.

So far the upgrades have cost me ~$700 including the aerobar...so say $600 w/o. That also includes the Flight Deck @ 80.00 too, so ~$520 w/o that.

Next bike will be either a Roubaix or Allez depending on what I can get at model year end deal wise. ;)

wildbill.. i'm saving up money for either a roubaix comp 27 or a fuji super lite (15lbs wow!). it's gonna take me a while before i can get there... cuz now i got another thing to take care of... cuz i'm a first time home owner... yeah!!! :d

rui

I could've sworn i saw a cannondale MTB a couple of weeks ago with the same aero bars setup... :)

I see I'm not the only one to loose the straight bar off of a Sirrus!! I did a similar thing to my 01 Comp (Minus the aero bar). Did you have to change out the front deralleur too?? I did, but my bike was set up with a MTB drive train.

Bill

Nope, no change to the deraileurs. I did end up switching out the vbrakes for Avid Shorty 4 cantilever brakes...big improvement in stopping IMO. :)

I took it in to a bike shop this week and got professionally fitted on it. Found out that my seat post (the suspension one that ewitz was knocking) was not long enough to get me to the appropriate height. Opted to switch out to a Bontrager Race X Lite carbon post @ 400mm length and probably went up 4-5cm! Totally different riding experience now, trying to get used to it before my 60mi diabetes ride this Sun.

Nope, no change to the deraileurs. I did end up switching out the vbrakes for Avid Shorty 4 cantilever brakes...big improvement in stopping IMO. :)

I took it in to a bike shop this week and got professionally fitted on it. Found out that my seat post (the suspension one that ewitz was knocking) was not long enough to get me to the appropriate height. Opted to switch out to a Bontrager Race X Lite carbon post @ 400mm length and probably went up 4-5cm! Totally different riding experience now, trying to get used to it before my 60mi diabetes ride this Sun.

That is a REALLY dramatic seat height adjustment!! Are you sure you want to do it all in one jump?? My LBS strongly suggested a gradual adjustment to give my legs (mainly the knee joint) time to adjust to the streaching. I can attest to the danger of dooing it too fast. I got impatient and jumped to the propper setting too soon and injured my knee. I lowered the seat and in a few rides the pain was gone. You will know if you have over done it if you go to walk up steps and get a sharp pain in the inner aspect of your knee. That is the torn meniscus telling you you did a no no!! Unless you are a limber and flexable as a noodle you are really risking injury!! I would certainly not try a 60 mile ride in a totally new position that I hadn't given myself time to adjust to, but that is me.

Bill

Yes, I've been doing 20-30mi rides every day trying to get used to the new position...I know it's a better more efficient one in the end, but am still trying to get used to it.

The LBS owner said I was WAY cramped in my seating position and leg extension and to be honest I was not entirely comfortable in that position anyway.

I figure I plan to go easy on this ride, stop at all the rest stops...take my time and not overdo it. This is really a training exercise for the MS-150 at the end of the month.

As far as the bike goes...I'm debating about upgrading to a carbon fork vs just saving for a new bike. I've been looking at some of the different LeMond models...very tempting!

Yes, I've been doing 20-30mi rides every day trying to get used to the new position...I know it's a better more efficient one in the end, but am still trying to get used to it.

The LBS owner said I was WAY cramped in my seating position and leg extension and to be honest I was not entirely comfortable in that position anyway.

I figure I plan to go easy on this ride, stop at all the rest stops...take my time and not overdo it. This is really a training exercise for the MS-150 at the end of the month.

As far as the bike goes...I'm debating about upgrading to a carbon fork vs just saving for a new bike. I've been looking at some of the different LeMond models...very tempting!

I opted to go to a true road bike and ended up with the 03 LeMond Buenos Arise. It is steel adn has a carbon fork. I love it, but have had the "fine tuning your new bike blues" trying to get MY position dialed in. I alomost got a Giant TCR-1 (full carbon), but liked the feel of the LeMond better. If it were me, I would save my money for the real thing!! When I got to considering a new crank and fork the LBS guys looked at me and said I should stop waisting money trying to turn the Sirrus into a road bike when the geomitry was so different.

Good luck on the rides. BTW - any hand cramps from the extra weight on the bar or did you raise it too?

Good luck on the rides. BTW - any hand cramps from the extra weight on the bar or did you raise it too?

Thanks! Nope I went with a 110mm Ritchey Pro stem flipped upside down so it gave me the right height I needed.

I really want a Seven...but obviously money isn't growing on trees here (is it anywhere?) so I think more realistically a LeMond or Cannondale or Trek 2300 is a better choice. I was also looking at the Specialized Allez or Roubaix as well. LeMond seems to be calling me though... ;)

I think I might try and save up some $$$ and look for a last year model when the 05 models come out. Of course trying to find one that is in stock in my size (60cm+) is probably going to be hard. :(