Inspired by C&V
 

I really appreciate the comfort of riding the old upright Schwinns that I've decided to "Upright" or "Tourerize" my Sirrus as the difference between the old bikes and this late model one is remarkable- especially to my hands.

But before I go on with this topic, should I put it here, is it appropriate? Is anyone interested? Does anyone care?

I did start a thread on the hybrid section, but it seems to be stillborn. it had a lot of views, no comments. Maybe they think I'm weird?

That won't be a problem over here. It's never kept me from commenting. :)

Bring it on!

If you're asking - no, it really doesn't belong here IMO. It's neither classic nor vintage TO ME. Since that's my opinion, I probably won't open your thread. Others might like it - so post it, and if no one likes it, you won't get a response.

What vintage is your Sirrus? I've got a Sirrus frame in my size sitting in the attic, doing nothing (donor bike, cannibalized it for another project). So, if you've got an interesting idea - beyond just mounting a rack and some Northroad bars - I'll be following your exploits.

[MENTION=392338]Number_6[/MENTION] - None of my bikes are "classic" (well maybe the 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile), but they're mostly "vintage", depending on how far back you consider vintage. My "newest" vintage bike is 1995 so.....I've posted on here and if folks don't want to comment they won't.


what years your Sirrus?

@non-fixie @Velocivixen The Sirrus is a 2011- poverty model Base. The story I've heard goes that bike manufacturers after the financial crisis tried to hold the line on price by cutting equipment levels on the popularly priced models. This bike is proof of that. Same nice frame as the pricer aluminum models, with a steel fork (which I like) and crappy components- a mix of nameless Shimano, Tourney, and Altus. They dropped a cog in the back so it went from 24- to 21-speed (thought it's a nice quality SRAM cassette- probably considered passe and therefore cheap to source). If you went up one step in 2011 to the Sirrus Sport you pretty much got the equipment level of the previous Base. It seems what one could readily see or touch was decent, nice actually (I like the EZ-Fires).

I was actually looking for something a little higher end when i decided to get back in riding about two years ago, but this one was a new 2 year old and the shop made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Other than a more aggressive geometry, slightly better equipment, and a noticeably higher list price, there were no changes in the 2014's. If riding turned out to be a dud for for me, I wouldn't have a lot of money in it. If it came to be a groove (as it had been) I'd have a nice basis to modify as things went along and it suited me.

Here are the specs: Specialized Bicycle Components

The bike is in nearly new condition. I rode it a fair amount when I first got it in early 2013, but so much last year took up my time, I didn't get it out last year until September. Therefore whatever I add will be new or nearly new.

I've done the mostly cosmetic stuff this weekend- alloy north roads and PDW fenders. I have to yet see how well those EZ-Fires do on such a handlebar. However, almost from the get go I've not cared for the drivetrain. No problem with the SRAM cog, but the rest is a bit sloppy to me. It's also got low MTB type gearing (48x38x28/ 12-32)- I feel I spin too much in top gears, which annoys me. So I am going to a road type drivetrain. I settled on the 105. and two chain rings. I rarely use the small one it has now, and on the small one the chain jumps to much. There is a nice, barely used square taper 42x53 105 crankset coming in the mail as I write. In geometry it's very much a performance hybrid, so I look to improve that. I plan on upgrading as other things wear out.

There is more certainly possible, but I've a got a BD/Moto titanium LeChampion now that was a quite a deal- so that's put somewhat of a ceiling in the Sirrus.

Basically the idea is to have a comfortable, civilized, yet fast/quick bike. But without extensive surgery or excessive cost on a relaxed time frame.

Thanks, [MENTION=392338]Number_6[/MENTION]!

"comfortable, civilized, yet fast/quick". That sounds good. My Sirrus is a bit older though, almost old enough to qualify as C&V - well, maybe V.

As bought:

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Grotefoto-WJ64DGK7.jpg

How about something like this Vainqueur? Classic elegance and modern technology:

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Grotefoto-PZW4Z6RF.jpg

[MENTION=173992]non-fixie[/MENTION] [MENTION=355580]Velocivixen[/MENTION] Discussion got generated on the Hybrid section, so if you're curious follow it here: http://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...rrus-base.html

I'm going back to the original bars, however. The north roads fet nice but the fit on the bike just didn't seem right. I'll use them on another project, maybe that Soma frame that came up n the mixte post.

Thanks for the link. And for giving me an idea for another project.:)

C&V has a lot of tolerance for off-topic threads.

I like the Cirrus. What changes are you proposing? I'm under the impression it comes with a flat handlebar. So are you proposing a swept-back handlebar? That might be a nice change.

The low level Shimano components are fine, really, especially since the bike still has a cassette and not a freewheel. That's an important distinction.