zetty

Just to conclude this thread, I have returned Kona for full refund minus shipping costs (£50) and bought a second hand (barely used though) Specialized Sirrus Comp 2013 for £450. Checked the stolen bikes registers and it's not reported as being stolen, so just a good deal.

And know what, it was definitely the right choice, couldn't be happier with the bike -- well, perhaps except for the design

The most amazing thing about Sirrus Comp is the lightness of it -- after handling MTB for years, this feels like a feather! BTW, the Kona was actually about the same weight as my MTB GT Avalanche 2.0, maybe due to bit larger frame. Not sure it's about weight only but I also find climbing hills way more easier than with my MTB, mostly almost effortless.

If anyone knows -- why is the shape of fork so different for Comp and Elite?

badger1

If what you have is a 2013 Sirrus Comp (UK), non-disc (https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bik...rus/sirruscomp) the frame/fork are identical to the Elite (non-disc). If you're comparing disc to non-disc -- different forks -- the disc-ones have straight-blade aluminum forks.

As to weight ... apples and oranges. The Kona is a much heavier bike all round, from the frame out. I ride a (modified) 2010 Sirrus Comp ... not that different from the 2013, though it does have a carbon rear triangle. Weight with pedals (as modified) is right at 19.4 lbs, so pretty light; even stock as I purchased it it was around 21/22 lbs, so a good few pounds lighter than the Kona you had. The same would certainly apply to a 2013 Sirrus Comp (disc or non-disc).

cbr9927

Congrats, the Sirrus hybrids are excellent bikes that just come across as light and fun feeling. More to my bones than the other 3 big brand hybrids.

zetty

Badger, that sure makes sense, thanks for pointing out, I was indeed comparing to the Elite Disc.

Kona was 15kg (33lbs), which is more than I expected from a hybrid -- thought it may have to do with the 23" frame but then it's only an inch bigger than Comp's, which from the feel of it might be around 10kg (22lbs).


CBR9927, thanks mate! Loving it, I already forgot how much cycling can excite me -- getting a better/different bike is really refreshing (been riding the same MBT for almost 8 years).

dynaryder

Just curious how you measured,because that sounds high. My 61cm '05 Dew Deluxe is only 28lbs 7oz hanging off my digital fish scale. My old '08 DD was a 58,and it was only 27lbs 14oz.

zetty

Dynaryder, the net weight was given on the box, as well as gross weight, and it really didn't feel much lighter than my hardtail MTB.

teicher

My 53cm weighs almost 27 lbs.

ColonelSanders

Why is this bike considered to be a hybrid, and not simply a flat bar road bike?

dynaryder

Hybrid is a catch-all term;'flat bar road' is a type of hybrid.

ColonelSanders

The term Hybrid could do with becoming less of a catch-all term and becoming more specific, IMHO.

deerfly

Though 2 of my bikes fall under the classification of “hybrid”, I no longer tell people that I ride a hybrid. When you say that, people think of a bike with a bouncy seat and a very upright riding position, which in itself isn’t really a hybrid, it’s a comfort bike. My first bike, a Trek7100, fit that category.
It would seem to me that the only true hybrids would be the dual sport type bikes, the Trek DS series, the Specialized Crosstrails, the Giant Roam series, etc…everything else should fall under different headings.
cbr9927’s Sirrus is far from the typical hybrid and really shouldn’t be in the same category as my old bouncy seat Trek7100.

ColonelSanders

Yep, agree completely.

They are the only 3 brands that I am looking at, because I do want a genuine hybrid and not a road bike.

deerfly

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting those brands were the only ones that made D/S Hybrids, I was only using those as examples. There are many brands that make dual sport bikes that are just as good. I wouldn't limit my search to just those three, unless you really have your heart set on one of them.

badger1

Interesting discussion. I tend to agree -- the problem with the term is that it has become a catch-all, as you say. Example: I (as far as I'm concerned) ride a road bike -- a flat-bar road bike. I and some others find a home here because we have been orphaned by the current definition of 'road bike' as a bike w/drop bars that emulates road race bikes. I think bicycles should be defined by how they are 'purposed'/their primary function. A 'hybrid' (I prefer the common European term 'cross bike' [cross as in 'across terrain', not as in cyclocross]) is a bike purposed/designed to function very well on and (lightish)off-road, e.g. Trek DS, Spec Crosstrail, Giant Roam/RoamXR.

ColonelSanders

Availability in Brisbane, Australia is a factor in my choices, as all three of those hybrids are definitely available.

I'm open to looking at other models, but of the few I have seen, like a Merida, it seems that only lower spec'ed(i.e. $1,000 or below) models get distributed out here.

There are Cannondales available, but as a Clydesdale, I really don't like the modest number of spokes they have on their "Quick" models.