Nope. There is no inherent reason a flat-bar road bike has to be any heavier than an equivalent-quality drop-bar road bike. In fact, the converse is often the case: flat bars and the related shifters/brake levers are often lighter by a few grams than drop bars/brifters.

If you have the same wheelset/tires and gearing on, say, a current Sirrus Expert/Pro carbon and, say, an equivalent Roubaix, there will be no difference in 'speed'; one bike will not, inherently, be 'faster' than the other. They might handle slightly differently (different geometries), but that's about it.

Can a given cyclist, riding those hypothetical bikes, cover a given course more quickly on one than the other? Yes; assuming that the given cyclist can use the drops in a 'low' position for sustained periods when descending and on the flat into a headwind, he/she will be marginally faster on the drop bar bike -- lets say 3-5 minutes over 50 miles -- for the same expenditure of energy. That's about it, but again the difference is contingent on the abilities of the given cyclist -- not the inherent properties of the two bikes.

That difference is 'real', but it is generated by the rider/his or her position. Someone who rides our hypothetical Roubaix, or any drop bar road bike, always on the tops or the hoods is going to be no faster -- not one bit -- than the same person on our hypothetical Sirrus.

The qualifier is with stock Axis wheels and tires. If memory serves me right you are riding a '15 Pro Sirrus, that is if you still,own it, why did you upgrade your wheels.

Not me -- I wish! No, my bike is a 2010 Sirrus Comp, bought new and then rebuilt (everything) one year later because I liked, and still like, the frameset.

Anyway, great discussion! Perhaps I misread your point? Let's assume equivalent quality Sirrus/Roubaix, both with the same wheelset/tires -- Axis, or whatever. Weight roughly the same; gearing the same. The only material differences are a) flat bars vs. drop bars and b) typically, some very slight differences in geometry. On that assumption, I stand by what I said above.

Good observations, imo. I've been banging on this drum for ages. Flat-bar road bikes (e.g. your bmc) should be purpose designed; they need to have around 20-30 more mms static reach than their drop bar cousins -- to account for the different bar types.

I'm glad to see that Trek, to take another example, have finally got on to this. The new (18) carbon FXs now have dedicated frames instead of being built on Domane frames. The new frames have precisely that difference: a Domane/last year's FX6 frame in size 54 (my size) has a reach of 374mms; just right for me with drop bars, if I wanted drop bars, but far too short/upright for me with flat bars. A new FXS6 frame in size 18 (my size) has a reach of 403 mms -- juuuuust right with a 100 mm stem and flat bars.

Hey badger, sorry I had you confused with someone else, I think in principal I agree with you. It is really just semantics and I just didn't make my point very clearly.

Agree! My oddball Sirrus has a Roubaix frame and while it's a great bike, I do prefer the traditional'ish Hybrid geometry. :thumb:

Yep! That's the one! I'm sure I will too. Haven't seen too many that color in person. Can't wait to get back on the road. Thanks!

Thanks mate :thumb:

Kind of Specialized Sirrus related.

I am trying to find the stock bar ends that come on the Sirrus when purchased new. I am looking for the all black ones but am not having much luck.

I have found them in red, white and blue colors but zero in the all black color that comes on the stock Sirrus when purchased.

Image for clarity ( these except in stock all black )

http://upload.bikepointsc.com.br/g/g4905_1.jpg

Anyone know of a retailer?

I suppose I can also post a wanted ad in the hopes that someone replaced theirs off their newly purchased Sirrus and wanted to sell them but I doubt an ad like that would get much traction anyway.

I have a new set in all black that I pulled off my Comp Carbon before the first ride. I can't PM you because I have less then 10 posts but I would sell them for a good deal. I'm in CA as all. Cheers.

Can't help with black but where did you find them for white, or for sale at all?! I've been looking and calling all over..!

Thanks for the help

Sent you a PM to the LBS I was at the other day that had red and white in stock. They ship so unless the white was sold, you should be good as long as you are in the US,

perfect thanks bud!

If you call them and the person you talk with does not know then tell them they are hanging in the back area of the shop by the cycling computers and lights. They had one red set and one white set a few days ago when I was there.

I had the all black ones but since i upgraded to the carbon s-works ends i threw out the stock ones.

I scored a set of the black ones. I like them (they are my favorite bar ends) and recently replaced the stock ones on my Sirrus with the Red but the black ones I was in search of are going on my BMC. :thumb:

I currently have the ergon gs2 grips - any chance you know if the specialized bar ends integrate with those as seemlessly as the factory specialized grips that pair with those ends?

No clue to be honest but I don't see why they would not integrate just fine with most bar grips. The black ones I scored will be here today and I will be using them with my stock BMC grips. The ends of those grips will need to be cut as they are closed ended grips.

They're called CONTOUR TARGA - not easy to find. I removed mine since I neither used them nor cared for the look.

https://www.specializedconceptstore....ur-targa-grip/
https://russhays.com/products/specia...ack-with-blue#

Yes they are available at several places but finding the bar ends alone (without the grips) is pretty tough. Finding the bar ends in black is almost impossible unless you find someone, like I did, who removed them right after purchase to use something different.

Test rode a 2017 specialized sirrus comp carbon
 

My first time test riding a Sirrus and I was totally blown away! Perfect geometry, very light and quick. I could ride on that bike for 2-3 hours straight. The flat grips work excellent with my geometry. This is going to be my next bike as soon as I sell my mountain bike.

So how did you feel it compared to your Giant Escape RX?

I sold the Escape a few years ago. It was fun at first then I realized the geometry was not for me. The Sirrus felt more like a road bike. The escape was grueling to ride after an hour- I always wanted to cut my rides short. I bought the escape without trying it out- I just got a good deal on it so I ordered one. The sirrus has disc brakes which are safer IMO and I like the handlebar grips and bar ends on it. It all boils down to better geometry on the Sirrus (for me). I got my mtb on sale on craigslist as soon as its sold- the sirrus will be mine! I am more of a rail trail rider anyway. Riding dirt trails was fun but I want to get back into true cycling: speed, endurance and long trips on the back roads.

After doing 3 laps around the block with the sirrus- I truely beleive the Specialized sirrus was built for me.

You should try the sirrus x1. The drive train is more quiet.

So, the new carbon Sirrus ('18) is up on the Cdn and U.S. websites.

It's as if Specialized listened to me and ... there we are:D

Kinked top tube gone? Yep. Kinked chainstays gone? Yep. Hideous 'integrated' stem thing gone -- on the top two models? Yep. Decent sealed-bearing wheelset? Yep. F/R thru-axles? Yep. Flat-mount brakes? Yep. Threaded b/b? Yep. Best of all, Future Shock headset is present/correct on the top two models.

Bike is now head-to-head with the lovely new Trek FXS 6/5 in looks, geometry, functionality. Both are what I would call true 'flat bar road bikes.' I do not want a press-fit b/b, however, and given that my LBS is a Specialized dealer and that between the rear Isospeed or front Future Shock my preference is for the latter ... order will soon be going in for this (size M):

https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/me...-carbon/129092

Tires and saddle will be changed out at point-of-sale -- and that's about it that I can see. Slightly heavy crankset will be replaced after one season.

That said, mini-rant: Specialized Canada's pricing is quite simply outrageous. I am going to buy the bike (Expert) which at 2650 or so Cdn is a bit of a rip (1850 or so U.S) given today's exchange rate, but that pales utterly in comparison to the differential on the Pro: how the **** does 2300 U.S. translate to 3650 Cdn? Today's exchange rate: 2300 U.S. is 2800 Cdn or so. Even allowing for a bit of gouging, 3650 is simply appalling. Specialized Canada should be ashamed of itself. /rant.