Hybrid Bicycles - Specialized Crosstrail Sport or Sirrus Sport

Hi everyone,

I am a newbie and have been doing some research for a while and it's come down to
the Specialized's Crosstrail Sport and Sirrus Sport.

I test drove both these bikes. I liked the lightness and speed on the Sirrus Sport and the softer ride quality, wider handlebars and the option to go on gravel on the Crosstrail Sport. I plan to
mainly use the bike on trails by the lake in Chicago and for recreation.

Because of this, I am leaning a little bit towards the Crosstrail Sport but a few people told me I should get the Sirrus Sport which is a 100% road bike and get a mountain bike for off road use. They said that "dual purpose" bikes such as the Crosstrail are good at neither on-road or off-road. Is this true?

- Are bikes with shocks less durable than fixed fork bikes? (The Crosstrail sport comes with lockout shocks)
- Can the Sirrus sport be used on gravel, grass or light off-roading?

Any inputs are greatly appreciated. Hoping to make a decision in the next few days. :)

Thanks!

I don't think you will have much luck using the Sirrus on an unpaved trail. At best it will be uncomfortable and difficult to control, at worst you'll just trash the bike. I don't see any problem with getting a Crosstrail to use for both purposes though since that's what the bike is really made for. If you wanted to have two separate bikes for on-road and off-road you might as well buy a mountain bike and a road bike and skip the hybrid category. I can't speak to the durability of lockout shocks though.

If you are riding for recreation then the dual-purpose bike doesn't really have to be "very good" at both things and should serve you fine. If you think you might end up really getting into road riding and joining group rides then you might end up growing out of it however.

Thanks, Dolanp.

I think I will be riding mostly for recreation and maybe commuting to work. I test drove a Sirrus (basic) and Giant Roam 2 (no lockout shocks) today on slightly rough road and liked how the Roam 2 handled compared to the Sirrus. I think I will be getting the Specialized Crosstrail Sport w/ lockout shocks.

svwvk,

I live in DuPage Co and have a CrossTrail Sport. 80% of my riding is on pavement; 20% on crushed limestone park district trails. So far- after a year- the CrossTrail has been the perfect bike for me. I'm now considering adding a road bike and taking on some longer road rides, but will keep the CrossTrail, rather than adding a mtn bike. I don't have any desire to "tear it up" off-road- my dirkbiking days are far behind me- and my CrossTrail is enough bike for my limited off-pavement adventures. My 2¢

I have a 2009 Crosstrail Elite and love it. I does everything I want it to do. I am looking to add a road bike for longer rides, I have added a rear rack, Brooks B17 saddle, Acronbag rollup bag, mirrior, along with some other little goodies. If you are going to be riding mostly roads, I would switch out the tires to get a little more speed. I think the bike is great though.

Just a quick note. There's a 2012 sneak preview on the Specialized website. I like the new black and white crosstrail. You might want to look at that before grabbing a 2011.

I have a crosstrail and I love it. I do most of the riding on pavement and it rides fine for me. The places I ride, has pavement/crushed limestone trail/grass/dirt/gravel...it's nice having the option and freedom to go where I want without worrying about getting a flat tire.

When I ride on the road, I feel safer by riding in the shoulder and sometimes it's rough and gravelly so I'm glad my wheels can take it.

http://i.imgur.com/EMMCy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HMlAU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EMMCy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HMlAU.jpg
I really like the bag u have on your rack. What's the name/brand.....where did u buy it?
Also, how did u connect light to your rack? I don't have any holes on the back of my rack to attatch any light...
Thanks

Thanks, everyone. I will definitely get the Crosstrail Sport because of the lockout shocks option.


Just a quick note. There's a 2012 sneak preview on the Specialized website. I like the new black and white crosstrail. You might want to look at that before grabbing a 2011.

All the Crosstrails at my LSB were 2012 models. Also, the black and white option is only for the Crosstrail (not sport).

Just a quick note. There's a 2012 sneak preview on the Specialized website. I like the new black and white crosstrail. You might want to look at that before grabbing a 2011.

Exit3, you are right. The specialized website has the 2012 Crosstrail and Crosstrail Disc in black and white.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCMain.jsp?scid=1099

They haven't listed the 2012 Crosstrail Sport. I wonder if my LSB has the 2011 Crosstrail Sport.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52740&scid=1003&scname=Path%2FGravel

I really like the bag u have on your rack. What's the name/brand.....where did u buy it?
Also, how did u connect light to your rack? I don't have any holes on the back of my rack to attatch any light...
Thanks

The bag and rack are both from topeak. The rack has a mounting bracket for lights. The bag is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Trunk-Bicycle-Molded-Panels/dp/B000ZKES0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310474918&sr=8-1

both are top notch. i use this bike for commuting and hauling the kids. the bag swallows everything. food in the main compartment, laptop and uniforms in the panniers.

I like the Crosstrail, but I don't recommend the 2011 Crosstrail Sport Disc. Any other year or model should be great, but I had nothing but problems with the Tektro disc brakes and Specialized finally replaced them under warranty with Juicy 3.5s. None of the other models come with Tektro discs, so you should be good.

The tires are a little more vulnerable to goatheads than I'd like, but thorn tubes seems to have taken care of most of the problem. I will probably be replacing the tires with something else in a while.

svwvk,

I live in DuPage Co and have a CrossTrail Sport. 80% of my riding is on pavement; 20% on crushed limestone park district trails. So far- after a year- the CrossTrail has been the perfect bike for me. I'm now considering adding a road bike and taking on some longer road rides, but will keep the CrossTrail, rather than adding a mtn bike. I don't have any desire to "tear it up" off-road- my dirkbiking days are far behind me- and my CrossTrail is enough bike for my limited off-pavement adventures. My 2¢

I agree with IANative. I live in DuPage Co as well, so we probably ride the same trails. I also have the CrossTrail Sport, but I split my time 50/50 on pavement and crushed limestone trails. I've had the bike a month now and it's been great! When I hit the pavement, I lock the fork. When I hit the trails I unlock and kick in the suspension. I'll be adding fenders, a rack and smaller tires. I plan on using it to commute to work so I was thinking of switching to 700x32 tires instead of the 700x45's that are on there now. Anway, it's a great bike. And I don't think you will be disappointed.

I like the Crosstrail, but I don't recommend the 2011 Crosstrail Sport Disc. Any other year or model should be great, but I had nothing but problems with the Tektro disc brakes and Specialized finally replaced them under warranty with Juicy 3.5s. None of the other models come with Tektro discs, so you should be good.

The tires are a little more vulnerable to goatheads than I'd like, but thorn tubes seems to have taken care of most of the problem. I will probably be replacing the tires with something else in a while.

I decided to save some cash and not get the disc brakes. I'm glad I saw your post. I plan on upgrading to disc next year and will definitely avoid Tektro. The tires I'm currently looking at are the Borough CX Armadillo Elite. Still debating, though.

Thanks, everyone. I will definitely get the Crosstrail Sport because of the lockout shocks option.



All the Crosstrails at my LSB were 2012 models. Also, the black and white option is only for the Crosstrail (not sport).

If you haven't already, check Kozy's. I know they had a sale on them last month. $569 for the Crosstrail Sport. If not, Spokes in Naperville or Wheaton might have it.

I agree with IANative. I live in DuPage Co as well, so we probably ride the same trails. I also have the CrossTrail Sport, but I split my time 50/50 on pavement and crushed limestone trails. I've had the bike a month now and it's been great! When I hit the pavement, I lock the fork. When I hit the trails I unlock and kick in the suspension. I'll be adding fenders, a rack and smaller tires. I plan on using it to commute to work so I was thinking of switching to 700x32 tires instead of the 700x45's that are on there now. Anway, it's a great bike. And I don't think you will be disappointed.

Thanks, lokeey.

I did not know you could put road tires (700x32) on the Crosstrail. Can you do the same on the Sirrus sport? I mean will a Specialized Sirrus Sport with Crosstrail tires (700x45) have the same comfort ride as the crosstrail w/ locked out shocks?

I did checkout Kozy's. Great store

Because of this, I am leaning a little bit towards the Crosstrail Sport but a few people told me I should get the Sirrus Sport which is a 100% road bike and get a mountain bike for off road use. They said that "dual purpose" bikes such as the Crosstrail are good at neither on-road or off-road. Is this true?

-

I totally disagree with this line of thinking. Hybrids serve many purposes, and you don't need a heavy duty mountain bike for trails around the lake. The Crosstrail Sport would be way more versatile for you than a mountain bike. And more comfortable than the Sirrus Sport.

After test riding a few of my friends' bikes I've decided to get the 2012 Sirrus sport. I am 5'5 with a 29.5 inseam and according to most sizing charts, I should be getting the Size small.
One guy at the LSB told me to try the size Medium which I thought was very comfortable (farther handle). He said that I should pick the biggest bike I can comfortably ride.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52890&scid=1002&scname=Transport%2FFitness

Just wanted to check with the experts here before my purchase. are there any downsides to getting a slightly larger bike?

Thanks!

Got the 2011 Specialized Sirrus Elite in size small and already put 6 miles on it. The carbon fork makes the ride absolutely smooth and the bike is extremely lightweight and fast.
It was between this bike and the 2012 Sirrus sport in Medium. The ride quality and sizing for me was actually better on the Elite and it also had much better components and fork.

Thanks everyone for your inputs!

I've got the Sirrus in a small, and I am your size! Good choice!!! Do you have carbon stays too, or just a carbon fork?

Mikey...

I have owned both these bikes and think they are fairly crappy. The Sirrus is a low end road bike with flat bars and a harsh ride. The Crosstrail is more comfortable but just as low end. There are better bikes out there for the same or less money. I liked my brother's Trek 7.3fx but I am not sure what they go for.

It seems the big three ( Trek, Specialized and Cannondale) don't offer a lot for the money. I was happy with my Sirrus until I learned more. Now I would rather ride a mt bike with road tires or an old 1980's steel road bike over most of the new crap.

My advice is buy a good hardtail and get two sets of tires or wheels and swap out as needed.

I've got the Sirrus in a small, and I am your size! Good choice!!! Do you have carbon stays too, or just a carbon fork?

Mikey...

This just has a Carbon Fork and Aluminum stays. The Sirrus Expert I test drove had Carbon Stays which had a very comfortable ride but way out of my budget.

I love my 2009 Sirrus, BUT, I only use it on pavement. No way would I want that thing for even crushed limestone. I have a mountain bike that, while slower, is just fine on crushed limestone.

If I didnt already have a mountain bike, I would have gotten a Crosstrail myself. I ride probably 70/30 pavement/limestone path.

I like the Crosstrail, but I don't recommend the 2011 Crosstrail Sport Disc. Any other year or model should be great, but I had nothing but problems with the Tektro disc brakes and Specialized finally replaced them under warranty with Juicy 3.5s. None of the other models come with Tektro discs, so you should be good.

The tires are a little more vulnerable to goatheads than I'd like, but thorn tubes seems to have taken care of most of the problem. I will probably be replacing the tires with something else in a while.

An older post here - but I thought I would mention that I had the same experience with the brakes on my 2011 Crosstrail Sport Disc. I finally brought the bike in and exchanged it for a Sirrus Elite. Love the Elite and it seems like a higher quality bike to me.