Gpaw44

I am thinking about getting a 2012 Specialized Secteur Comp Compact for my first Road Bike! I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on this bike or recommendations. This is about my price range for right now. I have been riding a Trek 7.5 FX and would like to move up.

SlimRider

If moving up means that you're going to purchase a road bike, then move up a little higher and check out the Jamis Satellite Comp. I think you'll find that it's not only more comfortable, but quite fast, as well!

Don't pull the trigger, until you've test-ridden the Coda Comp at your nearest Jamis bicycle dealership.

- Slim

jimc101

The Specialized looks good, with full 105 (5700) less crank, ad that's still Shimano.

For comparing it with a Jamis Satailte Comp, they can't be compared too much, the Jamis is steel, the Specalized is Alu, and the Specialized is better spec'd, especially with the shifters, having Shimano 5700 vs 3400 on the Jamis

What ever you decide, try to have a test ride before, you may find you like something totally different.

AndreyT

...needless to add, every time you hear some thing as silly as "this or that bike will be faster" (LOL!), you should immediately start paying close attention to your shill detector.

SlimRider

The Jamis Satellite Comp has a chromoly steel frame. If kept dry, that frame will last for decades. The rear derailleur on the Satellite Comp, is Tiagra and on the Secteur, it's Sora, a step down. That's a huge difference!

PS.

The claim about a shifter discrepancy is completely bogus!

Satellites are known for their superior speeds to be road bikes made of steel!

Apparently others think that Satellites are fast too:

www.intownbicycles.com/products/bicycles/road-bikes/

mulveyr 

I have a 2010 Secteur Apex. Which started out life as a Secteur with the Sora/Tiagra components, but that's another story. ;-) The sora RD/etc worked perfectly fine, all the time. I wouldn't particularly worry about it. The one thing that truly sucked about it was the shifters. The thumb button for downshifting was a royal PITA. You wouldn't have to deal with that with the 105 groupset.

As for the frame and geometry - it's a comfy bike for pavement. It will keep you relatively upright compared to a "real" race bike. I find it just fine for 50mile+ rides.

Oh, the tires were awful as well - I believe they were the Specialized "all-condition" ones. They would flat if you looked at them cross-eyed. I replaced them, and haven't had a flat since.

Speed? You're the one who determines how fast you are, unless you're pro-class. If you're considering a Secteur, you're not there yet. ;-) It will do just fine as a basic all-rounder.

P.S. That's the Secteur in my Avatar pic. The cat is not included. ;-)

CraigB

No bike without a motor is inherently fast.

a1penguin

That's a might big cat. He's pretty agile if he can walk on your bars. Great pic!