Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Recreational & Family
Reload this Page >

Specailized Sirrus...new bike questions

Notices
Recreational & Family Ride just to ride? Have a family and want to get them into cycling? Drop in here to discuss recreational and family cycling issues.

Specailized Sirrus...new bike questions

Old 03-16-04, 12:02 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toronto
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Specailized Sirrus...new bike questions

posted in the Road Cycling forum with no replies. thought i'd try it here...

I picked up my new Specialized Sirrus Sport last night. It's the first time I've ever riden a bike with roadbike tires, so it is a completely new feel to me. I've only ever riden a mountain bike before, even when working as a courier I booted around the city on my fat nubby tires.

I like the hybrid style of this bike, but I've been told by many that now that I'm experiencing a more roadbike feel, I'll soon want a true roadbike.

So I'm wondering...I really like the feel of the bike in terms of speed, manouverability, etc, but it seems very hard. Cracks in the road feel like potholes. Is this a the normal feel for a road bike? Or is the Sirrus and especially hard ride. I suppose it's just a feeling i have to get used to.

I don't imagine it has anything to do with the small roadbike tires/rim does it? Does the style of the frame have much to do with it? Is it because it's an aluminum frame?

Haha, I'm so obviously a roadbike noob.
Andy Sins is offline  
Old 03-16-04, 12:24 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
randya's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: in bed with your mom
Posts: 13,696

Bikes: who cares?

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I've got at least one friend that regularly rides a Sirrius, but I've never tried it. Road bike rides vary, depending on frame material, stiffness and geometry. I had an old Fuji long-wheelbase double-butted steel framed S-10-S that I used for touring - it had a lot of flex and was a much smoother ride than my mountain bike. I've ridden other frames that yield a much harsher ride. In general, all other things being equal, I think that aluminum frames are stiffer than steel frames, which is why so many hybrids w/ aluminum frames are equipped with suspension forks and seat post shocks these days.
randya is offline  
Old 03-16-04, 12:35 PM
  #3  
Sarcastic Member
 
Urbanmonk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 482
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Myself, I have a Cannondale Cyclocross, which has the Optimo tubing--still a very stiff bike. Tried the Sirrus before I bought the C'dale and felt the hammering of my body was more than the latter. You might try some 28 or 32cm tires to lessen the shock of the road; or, you may even purchase a seat post which absorbs the bumps on bad roads too. Your friends are right in saying that you will eventually want to trade up for a roadster.

Cheers,

Urbanmonk
Urbanmonk is offline  
Old 03-17-04, 07:07 AM
  #4  
Life is good
 
RonH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,209

Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Andy Sins
I picked up my new Specialized Sirrus Sport last night. It's the first time I've ever riden a bike with roadbike tires, so it is a completely new feel to me.
... I've been told by many that now that I'm experiencing a more roadbike feel, I'll soon want a true roadbike.
Yes, you'll be drooling over expensive road bikes very soon.

So I'm wondering...I really like the feel of the bike in terms of speed, manouverability, etc, but it seems very hard. Cracks in the road feel like potholes. Is this a the normal feel for a road bike? I don't imagine it has anything to do with the small roadbike tires/rim does it? Does the style of the frame have much to do with it? Is it because it's an aluminum frame?
Yes to all of the above. Aluminum has a harsher ride than steel, Ti, or carbon. The skinny high pressure tires transfer every bump in the road to your butt and hands. But once you get used to the "feel" of a road bike you'll be hooked. Hope you have a healthy bank account!
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8

I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
RonH is offline  
Old 03-20-04, 09:45 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
ChiliDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Foothills of Appalachia.
Posts: 735

Bikes: Electra Townie crank forward, Specialized flat bar road bike.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I dunno...I've ridden road for a while and also have Trek hybrid (7500fx). I love the more upright seating of the Trek. Had a Sirrus Pro for a while too and fell to the notion that I'd want a "real road bike"-well, I had one, but I also liked the Sirrus. There's things you can do to smooth out the ride: go back to the Specialized dealer and look at the suspension seatpost that goes on the Spec. Sequoia-they sell separately and will greatly smooth out your ride; next, tires make a HUGE difference in any bike's ride-go at least with 25s and choose a nice tire like the Continental Gatorskins or Grand Prix 3000-I find Specialized tires to be like riding in an old buckboard wagon and I tossed them out immediately when I got my Allez. Got the GP 3000 and it has a totally softer ride. Stay around 110-120psi, or you will feel a harsher ride. With the Sirrus you can go for wider tires (or even knobby tires for winter), but check with your LBS re your rim size and your brakeset clearance. A comfortable saddle will also greatly influence how the bike feels under you. Some have built-in shock absorbing materials and rails, but with the suspension seatpost, you'll probably be ok.

Remember, there's a lot of hype out there about steel vs. carbon vs. aluminum, etc. Just go with what YOU find fun and comfortable and that means you've got to do some quality time on this bike to find out how it works for you. It takes time to adjust to a particular bike and figure out how you and it are going to get along in the long run.

Ride it for a good year and see what you think. If you want to enhance your hand positioning options, add some Cane Creek bar-ends. Meanwhile, enjoy your new bike and rein in the "bike lust". Now, get out and ride that baby!
ChiliDog is offline  
Old 03-24-04, 04:14 PM
  #6  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3

Bikes: Modifed 2000 Sirrus Pro; Drop Bars, Ultegra Triple

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a 2000 Sirrus Pro that I bought (in 2000) because I was used to riding a mountain bike, but wanted to graduate to a road bike gradually. A year later I put drop bars and Ultegra STI shifters. Had to install "Travel Agents" on the V-brakes to translate the short pull of the STI brake levers. I just had it upgraded to an Ultegra Triple crankset (cause I want a 52 tooth bigring instead of the Deore 48 that it came with). I haven't even picked it up yet, but the mechanic says the upgrade went well once he figured out that he had to put the front derailluer clamp between the rear bottle boss screw holes. I looked on the web at the latest models (like yours) that have the 52 tooth ring and, sure enough, there is the clamp between holes!

It has always ridden stiff, yes little potholes make a big bang thru my whole being....next is an upgrade to a carbon fork, I guess.

I love the bike now that its a Ultegra Triple compact frame road bike with V-brakes. I put Mavic Cosmos on it for xmas also...very light.

Have fun on your new bike.

Tim

Originally Posted by Andy Sins
posted in the Road Cycling forum with no replies. thought i'd try it here...

I picked up my new Specialized Sirrus Sport last night. It's the first time I've ever riden a bike with roadbike tires, so it is a completely new feel to me. I've only ever riden a mountain bike before, even when working as a courier I booted around the city on my fat nubby tires.

I like the hybrid style of this bike, but I've been told by many that now that I'm experiencing a more roadbike feel, I'll soon want a true roadbike.

So I'm wondering...I really like the feel of the bike in terms of speed, manouverability, etc, but it seems very hard. Cracks in the road feel like potholes. Is this a the normal feel for a road bike? Or is the Sirrus and especially hard ride. I suppose it's just a feeling i have to get used to.

I don't imagine it has anything to do with the small roadbike tires/rim does it? Does the style of the frame have much to do with it? Is it because it's an aluminum frame?

Haha, I'm so obviously a roadbike noob.
TrickyT is offline  
Old 04-01-04, 04:20 AM
  #7  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hi i m sorry if i post this in the wrong room, but im looking for a folding bike that my child and i will be able to ride to the beach or to the park-and doesn't cost too much..
Can anyone help me plz thnx so much
Nikki is offline  
Old 04-01-04, 04:26 AM
  #8  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Sorry im kinda new here, so let me take the opportunity to say hi to everybody and thanks for whatever advice you can give me...
Nikki is offline  
Old 05-28-14, 02:05 PM
  #9  
Author Guy
 
Greybeard712's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 1,015

Bikes: 2012 Roubaix Pro, 2011 Roubaix Expert, 2006 Tarmac S-Works

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Andy Sins
posted in the Road Cycling forum with no replies. thought i'd try it here...

I picked up my new Specialized Sirrus Sport last night. It's the first time I've ever riden a bike with roadbike tires, so it is a completely new feel to me. I've only ever riden a mountain bike before, even when working as a courier I booted around the city on my fat nubby tires.

I like the hybrid style of this bike, but I've been told by many that now that I'm experiencing a more roadbike feel, I'll soon want a true roadbike.

So I'm wondering...I really like the feel of the bike in terms of speed, manouverability, etc, but it seems very hard. Cracks in the road feel like potholes. Is this a the normal feel for a road bike? Or is the Sirrus and especially hard ride. I suppose it's just a feeling i have to get used to.

I don't imagine it has anything to do with the small roadbike tires/rim does it? Does the style of the frame have much to do with it? Is it because it's an aluminum frame?

Haha, I'm so obviously a roadbike noob.
I ride a 2011 Sirrus Sport and I absolutely love it. I put Bontrager AW1 Hard Case Lite 32mm tires (w/liners) and have found them to be more comfortable than the Bontrager 28mm Hard Case, and not much difference in speed. The skinnier tires will give you more jolts than a fat MTB tire, but it's worth the lesser rolling resistance. I might go for a carbon fiber w/zertz front fork. I have that on my road bike (2005 Specialized Allez) and I can feel the difference.
The riding style is so different, especially at my age (68). If I want to play Greg LaMond I ride the Allez (bent over), but most of the time I fell a lot more comfortable with the hybrid Sirrus. It has all the advantages of a road bike and a more comfortable upright position.
Give it some time, then ride a friends drop bar road bike. You'll feel the difference.
Greybeard712 is offline  
Old 06-18-14, 10:27 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,266

Bikes: 2012 Specialized Sirrus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Try changing tires. 700x35 Panaracer Pasela (tourguard if you want some flat protection) should make the ride more comfy.
treadtread is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
augiedogie
Fifty Plus (50+)
83
06-28-14 12:43 PM
Bacciagalupe
Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling
4
04-25-14 05:18 PM
redclay
General Cycling Discussion
4
02-01-12 09:15 AM
rolliepollie
Road Cycling
41
05-19-11 12:21 PM
3speed
Mountain Biking
21
11-03-10 08:43 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.