2006 Sirrus pricing?
 

Hello

I am looking for a new commuter, and test rode a few bikes yesterday. I really liked the 2005 Sirrus Comp I tried. When I got home, I checked the web for prices.

The Specialized site lists MSRP for the 2005 model at $1100. The MSRP for 2006 is $880. (My LBS had a price on the 2005 between these two figures.) Quite a price difference, yet in reviewing the specs I don't see any big differences. If anything, the 2006 model has what appear to be several improvements.

Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks.

Website didn't have the prices for archive models, but the specs seem identical (except for the crank and the switch to a non-OS stem/Bar).

Bottom line is that they'll probably be pretty much the same (unless the frame or geometry changed). unless you like the Blue 2006 better, take the discount on the old stock.

Wow, I do believe that Specialized has removed the MSRP prices since I posted. They were present on the 2006 and 2005 pages yesterday. Oddly, the Comp is listed in black now.

Oh well, I'll talk to my LBS. I'll definitely go for the 2006 if its MSRP is indeed less than their asking price for the 2005.

At my LBS yesterday (in Canada), I saw the Elite. I can tell you that the sticker price for the '06 comp was much higher than $880. I don't know what the "normal" differences are (what with importation, duties, exchange rate, etc) between US and CAN MSRPs, but I've seen them listed for (prices in CDN):

Base: 680
Sport: 800
Elite: 1000
Comp: 1250

By the way, I'm THIS close to purchasing the Elite. I've already put a deposit down on the Base model, but after looking at the specs, and seeing the bikes in person, I think that the $320 difference between the base and the Elite, is worth it (for the carbon fork, upgraded handlebar, stem, seatpost, chain, BB, wheels and tires) but I can't justify the extra $250 for the petals, 105 RD, and carbon post.

I also don't think the upgrade from the base to the Sport is worth the $120 (for better shifters, FD, and RD) for me.

In short, the decision for me is between the base, and the Elite. Currently strongly leaning towards the Elite.

Why are you thinking about the Comp versus the Elite?

DW -- I was trying a range of bikes from roadie to pure commuter. I wanted to try the Base but ran out of time. All I know is that the Comp is the bike I've been thinking about since.

I like the Deore/105 combo and the color. It looks like the Elite wasn't carried over to 2006, so you should deffo get that one if you like it.

BTW, here are two links that show the 2006 Comp at US$799 street:

http://kozy.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=4861
https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/12703/

and the main Specialized site does show MSRP of 880 -- again. I swear the prices weren't there yesterday, I must be crazy.

I'm hoping my local LBS' price will come in around the same.

Regarding the MSRP appearing and disappearing... perhaps you did not select the "United States" region. I don't see any MSRPs, when I look at the bikes after selecting the "Canada" region. I did, however, see the Elite listed. I suspect this is to keep a model at a certain "price point" here.

I have to say with the stronger Canadian dollar (compared to the past decade), it really ticks me off the difference in price between the same bike in the US and Canada. I just found out there is a 13% import tax paid on importing bicycles into Canada. Despite NAFTA. This is to protect "local manufacturing" - two companies which employ (nationally) 600 workers. Most of the bikes are assembled bikes from parts manufactured outside Canada). There is no large scale aluminum frame manufacturing; only steel (which does not sell well any more).

Of course, the retailer must make their markup on this tax, making the true additional cost to the consumer to be much higher.

For the Comp, the street price of CDN $1250 = USD $1080. That's means I would pay almost a USD $300 premium over the MSRP of USD $800!

I will be paying more for my Elite that you will be paying for your Comp.

I won't even mention futher the 7% federal tax applied at the till.

DW, could be. I was using direct Google links at one point.

Strange that they are keeping the Elite for Canada, but not US. And that price difference does stink!

I thought they would maybe keep the elite here just to keep a bike close to, but not over the $1000 mark.

Too bad nobody has answered your original question; why is the '06 so much cheaper than the '05 as they spec out the same parts?

Another question for you:

Did you take a close look at the brakes and brake levers? The specs for all models call for alloy brakes and levers, but the Comp and Elite I saw in the store both had alloy brakes (Tektro of some modes), but plastic brake levers.

My brother thinks a drop that big must be labor, given that the parts are mostly the same. Is Specialized building bikes somewhere new for 06?

Anyway, I just got back from my LBS. The 2005 Comp has been marked down to $799! They also had a 2005 Elite for 749. I rode that and it was great, too. I just love how these bikes are set up.

I then asked if they have the 2006 Comp. Yessiree, in blue and for 799! So they are gonna get that one to the store later today or tomorrow. I will have a look at the brakes; I think both did have plastic levers. Drag, if spec'd as alloy, but no biggie.

It's also 52 and sunny today, so I really have bike fever!

So, are prices coming down on bikes? I noticed the same thing a while back when Surly introduced the new "blue" LHT. It was selling for less than the previous year's "green" LHT.

Edit: Well, I checked where I saw the price difference. All colors are now the higher price. Don't know what to make of that.

I got the blue 2006 Comp and it's great!

And DW, the levers are alloy. Man, the Zertz "inserts" in the fork and seat post are crazy!