Sirrus Comp Carbon Upgrades
 

I figured I would start a thread on the upgrades as I progress with my 2014 Specialized Sirrus Comp Carbon Disc.

For the past couple weeks I've been contemplating cutting down my stock alum handlebars from 26" to around 22". I've read several people online have done the same with good results. Weight is always a concern, but mostly I felt my handlebar width was too wide of a stance (i.e. comfort) and also affecting aerodynamics.

However simply cutting the handlebars down won't decrease the sweep backward. So I started researching aftermarket handlebars instead. Since this is a flatbar bike I landed in MTB handlebars narrowing it down to primarily Easton and Ritchey. The Easton EC90 Carbon won out because it met all my criteria and I found a great deal on it. MSRP is $160, I paid $99.95 shipped.

Install was super easy and straight forward, remove the old, install the new.

Before (660mm width, 10 degree sweep):

http://i.imgur.com/UxmrPl6.jpg

After (590mm width, 5 degree sweep):

http://i.imgur.com/TxbDmvH.jpg

The old and new bars side by side for comparison.

http://i.imgur.com/e03S9Hm.jpg

As far as weight, I measured both before installing on my $250 precision scale (used for reloading, accurate to .005gram).

Weights:

Stock bar = 294.975 grams
Easton bar = 120.475 grams

Net savings = 174.5 grams

Call me crazy, but when I first picked up the bike by the stem I quickly noticed the weight difference.

Me? I prefer cruiser bars. Swept back bars for me are more comfortable. They're found on European city bikes and they have a classic look to them.

So with a carbon handlebar like that, your existing stem was fine to use?

Also thanks for this thread, I may end up following in your shoes with my next bike.

I agree that the stock bars on the Comp Carbon are a too wide and I've been looking at narrower/lighter options for mine too. How does the bike feel with the narrower bars? Do you notice any difference other in control of the bike? Is the Easton bar compatible with bar ends and is it made from a single piece or is it multiple pieces joined together? I recall that a few years back some of Easton's CF bars had problems with breakage because they were made from multiple pieces bonded together and would sometimes come apart at the joint.

After install I went for a short 8 mile ride around the neighborhood to test them out. First impressions are awesome, I really like the narrower and slighter more forward position. With the stock bars when I used the bar ends I felt like my arms were spread really wide and it was not very comfortable. Now the bar ends feel way more natural and I see myself using them more often. Finally I suffer from my hands getting numb quick due to a motorcycle accident when I was younger. I've read carbon bars will transfer less vibration to your hands and I think that is the case here. I will know more once I put a 20-30 mile ride on them this weekend.

Why would the stem not work? As long as the center diameter of both bars is 31.8mm then the stem will work with them. With that said I'm liking the Easton EC90 carbon bars so much my next purchase is going to be the Easton EC90SL carbon stem.

The Easton EC90 bar looks to me as one single piece of carbon laid up. You can't find any noticeable seems or joints where carbon is meeting.

Yes as you can see in the photos above I installed the factory Specialized bar ends on the Easton carbon bar. When I was researching carbon bars I noticed some are rated by the manufacture not compatible with bar ends. Then others beef up the area at the end of the tube and will work safety with bar ends. Easton lists this bar as compatible and when tightening them down there was no cracking or noise whatsoever.

It is likely that certain people were just being overly cautious, but I have seen it suggested more than once that if one has a carbon handlebar, they need a "carbon friendly" stem that won't crush the handlebar.

I really don't know if there is anything to this or not.

Thanks for posting this, Anthony! I have the 2013 Sirrus Elite Carbon, and my handlebars are too wide as well. Please keep us posted on your further upgrades.

There is, but not in that way. The risk of crushing is always present with carbon components; they should always be fastened to mfg specs using a torque wrench. That applies to stem bolts (or bar ends) as well. The 'compatible' business really had originally to do with another potential problem: many stems are crudely finished at the stem/bar interface -- sharp edges, burrs and such. These can score the fibres in carbon bars eventually, which can lead to failure. Typically all that 'carbon compatible' stem really means is that the surfaces are properly smoothed. It can also refer to four-bolt vs. two-bolt bar clamps (spreading the required force over a larger area).

I think the general rule is (if you don't have a torque wrench) tighten until you hear a slight crack sound, then let the bolt off by a quarter turn. ;)

EDIT...Please, no-one follow my advice. :twitchy:

... because if one were to do so, one's bars/bike would asplode™ ...

A new picture thread could be started... "Followed giantcfr1's advice and look what happened"

... we may not need that; surely you've been following the Great Asploding Carbon Cover-Up Conspiracy thread over on the 41, along with that silly newspaper story (NY Times, I think)?? Pro cyclists asploding their bikes spontaneously all over the place; massive injuries; cover-ups ... we Freds needn't worry ... all good fun!

Another upgrade I did couple weeks back. My Comp Carbon shipped from the factory with Specialized Espoir Sport 700x25 tires. They actually rode nice, no real complaints. However tires (on anything, bikes, cars, etc) are always something I like to try different things. Back in the day I raced motorcycles and Michelin slicks were one of my favorite tires to run. When I came across the Michelin Pro4 and read they used trickle down technology and rubber from their MotoGP tire I had to try it. Enter the Pro4 Service Course.

http://i.imgur.com/uuPkpaa.jpg

I've got almost 200 miles on them now, and really pleased. Ride is plenty comfortable, rolling resistance (overall speed) was noticeably faster. However the biggest difference I felt was fast cornering, the Espoir were not confidence inspiring. The Pro4 reminds me my old race bike on Michelin slicks, lean it over in the corner and it's locked in throughout the whole turn.

Thanks for that background info.

Thanks for posting this stuff. I am very used to the wide bars on the Sirrus Carbon now and like it. I use to have a Trek 7.5 FX with narrow bars and did not like it much. For the tires I put 23mm on and really enjoy it over 25mm, I have no brand preference really as long as they are cheap, can't go wrong with any big name brand of tire- I use the Vittoria brand.

I decided to stay with the 25mm size since I'm a clyde (230lbs) and figured more tire would be better. Once I'm down to my goal weight of 200 (was 275lbs April 1st) I will likely switch to either 23mm or 23/25mm tires. At the same time I'm going to reward myself with some carbon disc clinchers (these Rovals)

I've noticed little to zero difference between 23 and 25mm tires..

I am currently running the oddly sized Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite 23/25 tires and they are great!

If I didn't buy the Pro4 tires, these were the ones I was getting. I will likely try them next!

Thanks for this post Anthony. Although I really like my Sirrus Comp Carbon, I have some neck issues and am wondering of your upgrade would help relieve pressure and/or road vibrations on my neck.

Ok in the next chapter of Sirrus Comp Carbon upgrades I made the mistake of visiting my local Specialized dealer yesterday and came home with these items.

http://i.imgur.com/irkvGpJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kBWqKY8.jpg

Before (factory Targa saddle, factory alum seat post):

http://i.imgur.com/WKaEe1c.jpg

After (Romin Evo Expert Gel saddle, S-Works Pave SL carbon seat post):

http://i.imgur.com/3uQPtfT.jpg

Weights:

Factory alum seat post: 310.095 grams

Factory Targa saddle: 353.795 grams

S-Works carbon seat post: 215.535 grams

Romin Evo Expert saddle: 279.320 grams

Net savings = 169.035 grams

Combined upgrades have so far almost taken a pound off the weight of the bike.

I did a quick couple laps around the block and first impressions are really good! Looking forward to a long ride either this evening or tomorrow to really put the saddle through it's paces.

See my latest post above. I'm expecting the carbon seat post with Zertz dampener to transfer a lot less vibrations in my butt and back. The handlebars definitely made a big difference. I went for a 30 miles ride yesterday and my hands did not go numb near as fast as the stock alum bar.

I doubt anyone outside the Tour would. Note: the 28mm tires on my '09 BBU are actually around 26mm,while the 25's on my '05 are actually around 27. Tires aren't always exactly the size on the sidewall,and various rim widths can change their profile.

IMO, look for a hybrid with a long wheelbase and put 28mm tires on it. The Trek 7.5 FX rode like a Buick to me, just too soft of a bike for my taste but might work for you.

Loving the upgrades OP.. This bike is rockin'!!!!

What's up next? Wheels? I've never been a fan of the Axis stuff Specialized throws on bikes..

Next is the Easton EC90 SL stem.

Posted above...

With that said I'm waiting to see how much these clinchers will be, maybe a cheaper alternative to Roval.

Disc 6.0