ChetPunisher

Looking at getting a fitness bike. Looking at the base Specialized Sirrus and wondering if there is another maker out there with better components? Giant? Fuji? Trek? Etc...

Looking to stay around $500-600...

Thanks for any advice.

rnothog

Check out the Giant Roam 2. The 2016 is $670, but you might be able to find a 2015 at about $515, at least where I looked.

Stick69

I have a Trek 7.2 which looks pretty similar to the Sirrus with a 3 x 8 drive train. Trek comes in black/green or blue. Looks like sirrus comes in black or red.

My wife likes her Specialized Ariel which is the women's version of the CrossTrail and has a light weight shock in front if you need that feature.

Who Dey3334

I wouldn't buy a bike based on which bike has the best components alone, you have to figure in comfort and even looks somewhat also. I just got a new Cannondale Quick 4, and while it doesnt have the best components of some of the comparable bikes, it does have the edge in being the most comfortable. I was gonna buy the Sirrus or the Giant Escape. The Escape I just didnt like at all for some reason and the Sirrus was nice but the the bike shop guy said try the Quick 4. I've never really considered a Cannondale for some reason but once I rode the Quick 4 I was immediately sold on it.

ChetPunisher

I'm looking at all the major brands in the same "category". Sirrus, Quick, 7.3... I'm also considering the Roam 2.

Im guessing it comes down to fit and feel. But I also want the best bang for my buck. Thanks.

JonathanGennick 

Mostly what I find with similarly priced bikes is that brands make different trade-offs. So you might find a bike with a nicer rear derailleur,and that derailleur's bill-of-materials cost may be offset by a lower-level crankset, whereas the competition might do the reverse. Then you can't really say that one bike has better components. You have to look at each component choice in isolation and decide which specific mix and set of trade-offs that you prefer.

It's easier if you ask us to comment on two specific models. Otherwise, there are so many bikes and trim levels that probably none of us knows all the spec sheets off the cuff.

ChetPunisher

Ok. Thanks.. Here it goes...

Sirrus Sport (non-disc)
And
Trek 7.3 FX

JonathanGennick 

I'm really not seeing much notable difference, to be honest. You didn't mention a year, so I'm looking at the 2016 specs. You get tubeless-ready rims on the Giant. The derailleurs are marginally better on the Trek. The cassette on the Trek looks lower-end. Specialized uses their own brand crankset, which might or might not be nicer than the Shimano cranks on the Trek.

Have you tested both those bikes? Does one feel better than the other when you ride it? Is one noticeably lighter in weight? Comfort matters a lot. If you have to swap components post-purchase in order to get comfortable on a bike, then that drives up your cost. I like the derailleurs better on the Trek, but their cassette choice is off-putting.

ChetPunisher

When you say Giant, do you mean Trek? Just checking...

sail

I would ride both bikes. Fit and feel are much more important than any differences in the components which are fairly cheap to replace.

ChetPunisher

Man, now I'm looking at the Giant Toughroad... Too many options...

MRT2

What is your current bike? What do you like or dislike about it?

ChetPunisher

I have a a 2004 Trek 4900 MTB with slicks and a solid fork. It is too twitchy for me. I guess the older 26 mtb had a shorter geometry that made them very twitchy. I feel like it's gonna turn 90 degrees at any moment. My son is getting a hotrock 20 and I want to take him on longer rides along with doing fitness rides and maybe some commuting.

ChetPunisher

I also have to pull a burley for the next few years too...

MRT2

Just so many bikes to choose from, at many price points. At the $500 price point, I would take a look at the Jamis Coda Sport. That said, aluminum bikes like the Giant Escape, Trek FX 7.3 and Specialized Sirrus Sport are good solid choices. As you already mentioned, the Giant Toughroad, as well as the Anyroad are worth looking into. Though it is a smaller less known company, the Fairdale Weekender drop looks really nice, though it is above your budget. Same goes for the Kona Rove, or even the Jamis Renegade Expat.

I am a believer that when you upgrade, make it a big upgrade so you won't find yourself looking to buy a new bike for at least 3 to 5 years, or longer.

ChetPunisher

The more I read about the Toughroad, I think it might be the solid choice. I'm headed to a LBS this week that does both Giant and Specialized, so I'm gonna throw a leg over a few bikes...

ChetPunisher

Wife stepped on that idea.. Budget, must stay in budget...

Delmarva

If you define a budget or price range I think you will find that bikes from the major brands will be comparably equipped. The market is too competitive for it to be otherwise. Remember that a basic Shimano derailleur will last for a very long time with normal maintenance. I would not get too hung up on trying to maximize the components. Focus more on fit, how well the controls fit your hands, etc.

goraman

I disagree, the cheaper Shimano derailleurs don't hold adjustment as long or shift nearly as smooth as Acera and above that. Acera is the lowest down the line I would settle for if you plan on putting miles on your bike and keeping it for some time with out upgrading.And if the bike is at least that high up the component ranking then most likely the rest of the bike will be good quality too.
The Trek 7.3 FX looks like a well made and well thought out bike to me.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bi...p/1327010-2016
And it's just over 24 lbs as is.
It's reasonably priced for all that you get. And Trek has a stellar reputation.

MRT2

An Acera rear derailleur is a $20 or $25 part.

goraman

My point exactly.
Why would you invest in a bike that put less money than that into it's key componites.
If they will only go 8.00 bucks on the transmission an important part you can see,God help you on the parts you can't bearings ect...

Delmarva

Nonsense. A Tourney or Altus will last for a very long time and hold adjustment until the cable stretches. And yes they will move the chain from cog to cog and maintain proper chain tension just like higher priced equipment. How do I know? I've seen 'em.

If you were to swap out lower and higher priced derailleurs on a bike I would bet that few if any riders could tell which unit was moving the chain without looking.

ChetPunisher

I ended up getting a 2015 Giant Roam 2.

rnothog

Enjoy. Be safe.

andrei_r

Pics or it didn't happen