Hybrid Bicycles - My fenderized Sirrus with Tiagra FD!

Well, I finally got a few quick snapshots of my Sirrus with the Planet Bike Hardcore road fenders on, along with the Tiagra FD-4503 front derailleur (put in stock # for anyone wishing to give their Sirrus more room for fenders). The Tiagra FD gives a LOT more room, and my pictures dont show how much room there is, it looks close in the pics (I would bet 3/8" at all positions or more) I am glad to now have fenders on, went for 9 miles today and no rocks pinging the frame-Happy nymtber! :)

I had to use a M6x1.00 65mm long bolt for the fork mount, Could have gotten away with a 55mm I think, but it isnt in the way so I dont mind. 1/4x20 will NOT fit the brake hole in the fork. Tried :( went with a nyloc nut, neoprene washer between fork mount and fork, and nylon washer on other side under bolt head. Protect that paint :)

Full shot of bike! $7 Bell seat bag from Walmart...does what it needs to and is BIG!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/woodchuckssuck/fenders1.jpg

One view of FD:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/woodchuckssuck/FD1.jpg

Better view:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/woodchuckssuck/FD2.jpg

Now I don't have to worry myself if roads have gravel along the shoulder, I can just ride and know the fenders are there to help save my paint :) Maybe that is being over-protective but when I have a week and a half paycheck into the bike...It is needed.

I do think I am going to switch Bottom Bracket to a 110mm, specialized specs a 113, but the FD is at its outer limit right now. That 1.5mm per side would be plenty, not that I use that outer gear combo much :innocent: If I do that, it will be a winter project. For now it rides great and shifts great. My sirrus might eventually see a 9spd conversion in its future, anyway.

Must purchase said derailleur and some new fenders...

Good looking fenders. Quality pics too.

mikeshoup: yes, I would recommend the Tiagra, although the Sora might work too? I found the Tiagra on ebay, here is the link to the same guy I got mine from, VERY quick shipping: http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-Tiagra-FD-4503-Front-Derailleur-Triple-28-6-31_W0QQitemZ280396447495QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4148ee3f07&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Like he states, they are brand new but not in a box. Definitely worth it, IMO. Just under $28 shipped for a $40 derailleur ;)

KShep: Thanks! I was surprised how well these fenders fit the look of the Sirrus. And, I could have taken better pics but felt like just taking quick shots, as I took them with my Sony DSLR...They were touched up in photoshop for white balance and sharpness, but that is kind of expected when shooting in RAW...

stunning bike and nice mods! i love the geometry / rounded frames on specialized hybrids.

enjoy the ride!

Great looking bike!

Nice, clean, job! I wonder how that would work on my Crosstrail?

What size tires on your Sirrus?

I just have the stock 700x28c tires, and road fenders (which are good up to 28! perfect:) )

You would want hybrid fenders for the crosstrail, I think they would fit but not sure? I think this winter part of the clean up of my girlfriends Trek 7100 is going to include hybrid fenders to keep her bike prettier ;)

if you press your front brakes...does it twist your front fenders slightly? i'm having that issue with mine. lbs said not to worry about it..it may just cause a small hole on the front fender

I have not noticed any front brake induced twisting, not on this bike and not on my Steel Schwinn woodlands bike (not as stiff of frame/fork), with same fenders (only wider).

Installation issue maybe? I'm not really sure.

ok, i need to change my mini v brakes to large v brakes for more clearance.

ok, i need to change my mini v brakes to large v brakes for more clearance.

That could very well be the cause! Large v-brakes give more leverage, as well ;)

Beautiful bike and those fenders look great on it. No worries now about rocks pinging the crap out of your frame. Nice job on the install.

What made you choose that particular fender and which model # are they? Does Specialized make any?

I chose the Planet Bike Hardcore fender because I have them on my beater Schwinn mtb and like them. They are the Planet Bike Hardcore Road fenders, for up to 700x28c I dont know model number. Wider tires would want the Hardcore Hybrid. www.planetbike.com has all the models.

What made you choose that particular fender and which model # are they? Does Specialized make any?

Most of use are running some flavor of planetbike fender. I started off with my hybridized MTB and put a set of hardcores (SKU #7007) on it; however, I really love the cascadias and that's what I'm running on my '07 Sirrus (SKU #7026-5). The Cascadias have a longer mudflap compared to the Hardcores.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/woodchuckssuck/FD2.jpg


Can you install water bottle cage with this setup?

Can you install water bottle cage with this setup?

Probably have to use standoffs. Has one on the downtube though, so unless you needed two bottles you can still mount one.

Keep in mind that this only works with a bottom pull cable setup unless you put one of the pulleys like cross bikes have.

Thanks for the tips and photos. I'm also trying to mount PB Cascadia fenders on my '04 Sirrus. Oddly enough, I was able to use PB Hard Core fenders for two winters without any front DR issues - but those had a metal bracket that clipped onto the chain stay connector and held it firmly in place. The 42 mm bolt that came with the Cascadia fenders wasn't quite long enough for my Sirrus fork either. Fortunately I still had the bolt that originally came with the Hard Core fenders, even if it is a bit rusty.

FYI: I just upgraded my FD to a Shimano FD-R453. I think its a step below the Tiagra. Either way, it works fine. Not to mention, the shifting is improved. I can now shift chainrings with less trimming, though that may be a result of adjustment. Now, I don't have to have a hole cut into my fender! Woot!

Note: I am using a friction bar end shifter, so ymmv

That appears to be a bottom-pull FD, yes? My Hybrid is set-up for a top-pull or a dual FD. Interesting machine. I like!

Yes, bottom pull. Stock derailer is a dual pull.

Oh yeah, I'm loving it. I am going to be going the opposite way with my sirrus in the spring. I have it running as a single speed with fenders right now, and I didn't even think to consider the front dérailleur... good thing I haven't purchased one yet... I'm guess a deore wouldn't fit eh?

I, who happen to enjoy installing and working on FD's, have had many problems with Deore FD's. A Tiagra, on the other hand, have always worked right out-of-the-box.

Tally Ho!

I used a Sora. I scored it for $10. Not as pretty as the Tiagra, but it shifts great, which is all I really want or need.

My fenders: Cascadia.

My Sirrus is nowhere near as shiny.

Thanks all for the very kind comments :) I dont tend to visit this forum much in the winter, Makes me depressed I cant ride my bike! lol I cant ride those trainers either, blah! If my bike aint moving, Im not going to "ride" it. To be honest I was thinking about a 105 FD, but price was a little limiting. I have seemed to spent a bit on my shooting hobby as of late, and I still have some plans for my Sirrus before spring. I want different grips, and I am thinking of going to regular grips and bar ends, or maybe ergon grips/bar ends. I would love to switch to trigger shifters so I could just use regular bike grips...but that is out of my price range for a while. If I start converting, I will end up with a whole 9 speed set up, and be broke!

My biggest plans are to really get out and rack up some miles this spring/summer/fall. Almost thinking of putting a few little ads locally to do some bike repair for people that need it, Im no pro but I have 9 years of fixing on my own bikes full time. Maybe start with an ad at work, Let it go word of mouth from there possibly. My work environment is like a big family, everyone helps everyone :)

As for the waterbottle question, It will need some Nylon washers when I get a second cage for it...Cheap at the hardware store, 10 cents each I would guess.

And, as to my bike being so shiny...well...its practically NEW, and I use Pedros Lust bike polish on it. That stuff is AWESOME at making a bike shine. Even made my beat up MTB shine up real nice! My girlfriend noticed it was way nicer looking than normal...I cant recommend the Pedros Polish enough. As far as it being new, the Allez I had for 2 years looked brand new as well. Its all about upkeep and wiping the bike down after rides to keep dirt and corrosive sweat off it :)

For now, the Sirrus sits in my basement, staying warm and awaiting springtime spinning :)

Now, for a question...Does anyone know how much felt difference the 170mm crank on this sirrus makes over a 175mm crank? It tends to feel sluggish compared to the Allez triple I had and my custom built MTB, both having 175mm cranks... Its a quick bike, dont get me wrong, but I feel like it could be better, too. Might just be the wheelset and tires. I know my avg speed on my Allez increased by 2mph upgrading tires...

Crank length is really a matter of personal preference. I know for me, I can't ride anything longer than 170mm cranks. Longer cranks make my knees hurt too much. Longer cranks would allow more torque to be applied for the same amount of force.

Hmm Yea I'm not sure if 5mm will really make much difference for me...haha. I sold my Cycleops fluid trainer last year, Almost thinking of picking up a mag trainer, I need to do SOMETHING...I dont do much in the winter and its showing... Did just spend an hour shoveling the driveway, not a lot of snow but enough to clean off. I feel better because of it :)

I still want to get different grips sometime, maybe the ergon with bar ends. New rear derailleur is likely in this years budget, as well. What it has now WORKS, but shifts are kind of slow and lacking. I am used to the Deore LX 9spd on my mountain bike that shifts quick and crisp.

Otherwise I like what I have. I have decided to stay 8 speed with gripshift, I dont change gears that often or need to change that fast so It works for me. As My physical condition improves, I may change out cassette for one with smaller rear sprockets, which would give me more gear selections.

Now, if only the snow would melt and it would be at least 50 outside...

what size front derailleur was it; a 35mm or 31.8/28.6 mm clamp on? And would a sora level be ok?