I am currently considering a purchase of a leftover 2008 Sirrus Comp. Has anyone on this forum had any issues with this model, specifically the wheel set or other concerns? The dealer is asking $950.00 for this bike. A good deal?

No direct experience, but if it is 'new old stock' ... not bad. I think 950 is a little steep, but other than that ... issues?

Well, as I said no direct experience but from reports on the innerwebs and my own experience with my 2010 Sirrus Comp:

1. Wheels: Spec was/is notorious for the variable quality of their stock wheels. Easy fix, though: just ensure the shop goes over them for truth/tension/hub adjustment before you take delivery. Should then hold up pretty well.

2. Headset: this was and is an issue on many mid-priced Spec road bikes. They use a proprietary thing called a 'Mindset': works like an integrated headset, except they have internal cups into which the bearings sit. The bike you're looking at, like mine, has this and probably has semi-caged ball bearings inside, not sealed cartridges. Watch these for corrosion etc. I'm getting rid of mine/replacing it with a upgrade to sealed cartridge bearings.

3. Fit. Have you ridden the bike? The 2008 model predates a geometry change that lengthens the top tube for a given size, making it more suitable for flat bars and reducing the chance of toe overlap. E.G. the 2008 Medium has a 54.5cm effective top tube, my 2010 Medium a 56 or so. Check that aspect of it out before you buy.

Thank you for the quick reply. Not having any experience with low spoke count wheel, 24/28, I am a little leary of their endurance and reliability. No haven't ride the bike yet, scheduled for tomorrow. Since I have not purchased a new bike in about 15 years, I am sure a will be dazzled by the advances in technology. My present ride is a trek model 850 mountain bike with hybrid tires. My goal is to upgrade with better road riding capability and some light rail trail use.

A dealer who has a three year old bike is a dealer who doesn't know how to mark down leftover stock. $950 would have been a nice deal (20% off) in 2008. In 2011, it's just sad. Offer him $700.

Ditto that ...

Thank you all for the advice. I think I will keep on shopping.

I put about 400miles last fall on my 2008 Sirrus Expert and didn't have any issues at all. I am pretty heavy, so wheels were a big concern for me, but the LBS took the time to true them up and absolutely no issues there. The one thing that I did end up changing was the hight of the handlebars. I found it a little too agressive when just commuting or taking a pleasure ride...were great for working out though. My answer was an adjustable stem and adding the right allen wrench to my little tool kit.

I have had an issue with setting up a decent bike computer with a cadence and speed sensor. The distance between the pedal and bike is too large for the little magnet that comes with the typical computer, but bought a bigger magnet from my local HW store and that fixed that.

Good luck with the bike, I paid ~$1300 for mine

I had this problem on my '02 Sirrus. I solved it by whittling a wooden shim that would set the sensor out a little further from the chain stay. I zip-tied the shim to the stay (with a bit of old inner tube between, to keep it from slipping), then zip-tied the sensor around both the stay and the shim. It worked fine.

I had to replace the wire later, and then I decided to do something less kludgy-looking. I zip-tied the magnet to one spoke of the chainring spider, and I mounted the sensor to the downtube. This worked fine, as well.