Hello everybody!!

I am a brand new rider who, after having a bad experience with a second-hand bike, has decided to give it another try and get a new bike.

My budget is the following: £ 250/300

Use: I basically need the bike to commute, so I'll be using it on roads. However, there are quite a few hills in and around Brighton, for this reason I ended up by considering an Hybrid bike.

Basically I am pondering pros and cons of the following bikes:

- Specialized Sirrus 09
- Specialized Centrum Elite 08

Any piece of advice is more than welcome!!
So, please feel free to let me know which one you would get and why or suggest other options, if you have any.

Thanks a lot! Cheers!

Riccardo

When you buy a bike, make sure you budget for extras- helmet, lights, something to carry stuff (rack, panniers, bags, etc.), emergency tools (change a flat), etc., if you don't already have those items. In the U.S. that would be probably an additional $100 or so.

Take both out for a test ride around the hills. Whichever one's easiest and most comfortable is probably the one you'll enjoy the most. Make sure there's eyelets for racks and mud guards.

OK. I will take into consideration your advice.

Thank you both of you!

Buy a used bike instead.

The Centrum may not have the holes at the rear dropouts for mounting a rack, and the 3 sp hub gear version probably wont handle your hills. There will be more choice of tires available for road riding with the Sirrus.

Since your bad experience is out of the way....

Go to a few reputable bike shops in your area if they exist. Pick a shop with staff that treats you well and an atmosphere that suits you. Once you have accomplished this, buy a bike that FITS YOU. Test ride several models. If the shop does not allow REAL test rides, move on to the next one. Listen to advice from sales people as well as any serious cyclists you may know (besides Bike Forums). Don't take anyone's advice as Gospel - use your head. It sounds like you have a pretty good idea what you want - that is a huge help.

Bottom line. If you have to come to a Web forum for advice - you should buy your bike at a real bike shop. A bike that FITS YOU PROPERLY is the all important God advice of cycling. You will also get real help from people who want your continued business for accessories and repairs. Avoid bike shops where employees talk down to you if you are on a tight budget. That is always a bad sign. Ask around, maybe join a recreational bike club and ask some members first.

Don't forget - the bike must FIT YOU!

Thank you everybody for your advice!

I eventually decided to buy the Specialized Sirrus 2009 from Evans Cycle.
I am quite happy with the bike, especially the quality of the frame, despite the fact this version has worse components than the previous one (Sirrus 2008).
Shifters are not the best and I had some problems with the gears, but the mechanic at the shop adjusted them and now it looks like everything is sorted out (hopefully no more problems...).

I had bought a used bike before, which was a pretty bad experience, since the crank broke after not even 2 months. The same happened with the axles of both wheels, which are wobbling and definitely need replacing.

Thanks again for your help.
Cheers!

Riccardo

So how do you like the seatpost?