It is a very beautiful bike, I knew that, I've really wanted one for awhile now and would go into the LBS just to look at them and dream. Now I have one, picked it up yesterday and I've put a days worth of riding on it and have a few interesting observations to share. First observation is that carbon frames magnify any normal mechanical sounds that your bike makes, braking, shifting, pedaling, any mechanical noise produced is transmitted throughout the carbon frame which took a few miles to get used to but now I know. Next is how smooth this bike is, the ride quality, when compared to any bike I've previously owned is amazing. My previous two bikes were Specialized Crosstrails with front suspension forks and I always "thought" the forks reduced vibrations and jolts when hitting rough stuff but the carbon framed Sirrus is easily just as comfortable. Even on my last Crosstrail that was the lighter M4 aluminum, after a relatively lengthy ride - maybe two hours - my wrists and hands would often be a bit stiff and my hind end complaining as well. I rode for three and a half hours today and had no physical complaints at all, so the carbon frame obviously works well at reducing road vibration that normally gets transferred to your body while riding. I'm assuming the better geometry allowing me more room to stretch out also helps with discomfort in my hands and wrists, along with no "pain in the butt"...my Sirrus Comp has a curved carbon seat post that appears to have some type of built in vibration damping, most likely a positive contribution to that issue. I was always squirming around trying to get comfortable on both Crosstrails - the seat is still the same one - so I asked about that and the guys at the LBS said that if your bike fits you properly it can make that big a difference, they did do a full fitting with me and this bike. This is also the first bike I've owned where the stock hand grips with bar ends worked just fine.

I can't believe how much lighter and smaller the Sirrus feels compared to the Crosstrails, you can fling it around with ease where, comparatively, it seemed you had to persuade the others to make a move. My Sirrus is the same medium frame size but it is physically a much smaller bike, both in height and width - I know because the bike resides in my house behind a couch when not riding, and the Sirrus takes up a lot less space. I don't know what the actual weight difference is but the Sirrus definitely feels much lighter, you really notice it when placing it on the bike rack of my vehicle.

I ride because I enjoy it and to stay fit, this new bike has actually kindled a greater enjoyment which will spur me on to riding even more which in turn means a better fitness level, along with a great looking and performing bike - talk about a win win win situation...!!

...now...if someone can explain how I upload a picture of the new bike - I will post one for all of you to see...