Kona Dew Deluxe vs Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc
 

Simple. What would you choose?

Kona: http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=dew_deluxe

Trek: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...fx/7_3_fx_disc

Specialized: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...6&menuItemId=0

The only major difference I notice is in the brakes. Kona has a hydraulic disc, while the other two have mechanical.
Yet, I am only very new to buying hybrid bikes, so I need your help. What would you choose for fun rides and commuting?
Price does not matter. No other suggestions please.

EDIT: Trek is less of an option now. So the question is Kona vs Specialized. dynaryder said that Kona has slightly better parts. What do you think?

I personally don't like Treks, but the Trek is actually my choice between these 3.
The Kona and Spec is nice, but it has hydraulic brakes, which are really nice, but if you ever need to bleed them, you either need to buy special tools to do the job, or pay an arm and a leg to get it done. Trust me, I have Giant Seek2 with hydraulic brakes that I wish were mechanical so I can just adjust the brakes myself. Plus the environmental cost of having to use brake fluid, you can't dump it down the drain. Needs to be properly disposed of. If you drip any onto your bike, brake fluid will melt your paint, the mechanic that bled my brakes dripped some on my Easton handlebar, stripped the paint right off. If it touches your brake pads, you'll need new pads too.

But may I suggest to skip discs all together? They are expensive to maintain, new pads run about $20-30 a pair while v-brakes will run you about $10, if you ever need to bleed them, it's around $30 per brake line. Finding accessories is a PITA too. You need to find extra wide racks which tend to be heavier to accommodate that disc brake, same thing for fenders. The attachments aren't made for discs brakes, and the fenders may end up rubbing on the tire or they sit real close to the tire. I prefer riding on 23s, so it doesn't affect me, but I also have 28s that don't even fit. I know 28 is even too thin for most people here. Also my hydraulic discs squeals like a mofo. Very annoying, and the mechanic wasn't able to get rid of that squeal for me.

If I were to do it all over, I'd go with regular brakes, cheaper to maintain and way more selection to choose from. I would find a bike I like, and probably get fitted with koolstop salmons, they will brake just as well as any disc brakes. But if you must, go mechanical.

AlphaV, thanks for your reply.
First, I will take your advice and avoid hydraulic brakes, which Kona has.
Spec actually has mechanical brakes, as does Trek.

Do mechanical disc brakes really take so much space that I need special accessories that are wide? I didn't catch that if that were the case.

New questions then:
1. Spec or Trek?
2. If no disc brakes, what are your suggestions?

Thanks!

EDIT: i see why you said that Spec was hydraulic. The one I saw is not. Thanks.

Of the 3,the Kona has a touch nicer bits(9sp,shifters,tires). I own a Dew,and have owned 3 Sirruses(Sirri?);the Dew is a touch heavier but has more clearance for wider tires. All 3 have straight blade alloy forks,which I'm not partial to due to my carpel tunnel issues,but the Kona's seems a little beefier,plus wider tires will help smooth the ride.

Mounting fenders and racks really won't be an issue. The Kona and Spec have chainstay mounted calipers so regular racks will go straight on. Mounting fenders is easy;up front,use the lowrider mounts on the sides of the fork blades or use a longer bolt with spacer on the left to clear the caliper(about $1.50 in parts from the hardware store). Out back the Kona and Spec won't have issues,the Trek will prolly just need the longer bolt/spacer on the left.

Disc brakes ignore rain and snow(all brake systems are limited by tire traction),the pads last longer,adjustments are usually easier(no need to position them/toe-in),they cause no wear on your rims,and their performance is not tied to how true your rims are. As for hydro vs mech,hydros require no adjustments,just pad replacement and occasional bleeding. You do need a bleed kit or have to take them to a shop,but on a street bike you'll only need to do this about every two years. Your decision on which is easier for you. Bleeding bicycle hydros is actually easier than motorcycle systems.

Disc brakes are usually a little bit wider than non disc brake bikes to accommodate the brake. Some racks are made for the discs only. Most aren't, but you do get to pay extra for it. I found a rack that fits, but does seem a bit heavy, but it's also pretty heavy duty.
My fenders fit, but it's pretty specific about what size tires I choose. Like I say, I have clearance issues with fenders that mount at top and bottom mounting points.

Trek is less of an option now. Kona with slightly better parts + Tektra Draco hydraulic or Specialized with Shimano mechanical?

The most important thing about getting a new bike is to find one that fits. After that, the other stuff is just add ons. Tires will also be the least of your concerns as far as quality parts go. With commuting, you'll be running through a pair a season.

Disc brakes are nice if you'll be riding on gravel or dirt in the rain, or you plan on commuting in snow, slush, or ice. Otherwise, they're heavy, a pain to keep working well, and just complicate accessory install no matter how much they're out of the way. I'm with Alpha in just getting something with V-brakes and get some all weather pads.

How much heavier are disc brakes? They can't be too much heavier, can they? I live in Pacific NW, so rain is a big part of my consideration.

hey. i was just in your position. the Kona is a sweet bike. i didn't like the colour. take thme all for a good long test ride and work with a shop that cares and will fit you. there is a good Marin with Disc Brakes. Go with Disc Brakes whether Mech or Hydro. I hate conventional wheel brakes. Always needing adjusting, truing tires, problems. Crispy breaking. Try the Specialized again. That is nice light frame. There are the Giant Seek series. Pricey but so damn stylish for thieves, no?
i have the Trek Montare Gary Fisher. It's a beaut. Need to change the seat. There is also the Norco Scene's and Indie's (bang for the buck). I was about to go for the Scene. Buying a bike will lead you to needing therapy i swear, unless you already there! Huh. Good luck. See ya on the couch.

I think I'm fairly certain I'm getting the Kona. Specialized was really sweet, but I like the versatility of the Kona. It also has better parts.

Not really. Most hybrids have MTB spacing in the rear. On road and cross bikes this can be an issue for wheels and such,but hybrids tend to be pretty standard across the board.

I'm pretty sure my Seek is an '09 as well. Does your frame come down past the seatstay bridge? That and the position of the front derailleur are why I'm prolly going to sell mine. It was an impulse buy that I was going to use as a run-around-on bike,but the frame design makes it hard to mount fenders and wider tires,which I need because the alloy fork's ride bothers my carpel tunnel. The Kona and Spec listed above won't have these issues. Really kinda bummed about why they did the frame like this;they've changed the design on the newer models. BTW,how are your tires holding up? I've never heard of them,so I swapped them for some Vittoria Randonneurs,which I trust for DC roads.

They add like a pound or less. My Portland weighs about 2lbs more than my Defy,which are close to each other in specs and frame size,but the Defy also has lighter tires/wheels and a carbon seatpost.

Good choice, that's what I got in matte black. I posted pics on the hybrid picture thread. The hydro brakes shouldn't require to much maintenance in fact I believe they are self adjusting, something you'll have to do with mech discs. Yes bleeding can be a pain but you don't do that often and the Kona Tektro Draco use mineral oil which is not caustic and is non-toxic.

My rack has an adjustable width so it'll fit a standard and disc brake setup. I've transferred the rack to another bike, looks stupid, but it fits when I change the width to a standard. So it is wider, haven't measured it, but there is a noticeable difference. The bottom attachment rotates to fit different widths.
I noticed on the Seek that FD cable gets in the way if you attach a rear fender. I just put a bunch of spacers from a old vbrake calliper to adjust the spacing. It's no longer in the way. I also bought the bike used, and didn't get the original tires. Previous owner replaced with Vittoria CX tires 700x28 which don't fit with any fenders I've tried since the attachments are usually too short for fenders and I get tire rub due the wider rear triangle. But I prefer riding with 23s anyways, so sort of moot, until the winter.
Anyways, OP, I was debating between the Kona Dew Plus and my Seek2 when I was searching. I only got mine cause I ended up finding it used for a better price, and kinda liked the styling better. Get the Dew Plus in matte black, looks pretty bad ass.

I love my Dew Deluxe, The brakes are also much smoother and grippier than the mechanical discs on my old trek fx

Post a pic

So true. . Lol. ..

Magnificent.
Post into a thread that passed away in August, 2011 -- with a message that is totally opaque.
Nicely done.
Just another day on the poor old 'Hybrid' board.