12guns

I have a 2010 Specialized Sirrus with less than 50 miles on it. I like the bike ok, but find myself playing on steps and curbs quite a bit. I invested $60 in wider (38c) tires as opposed to the 28c stock tires. It is better, but still not what I want. Only problem is I'm not 100% sure what I want or need.
So...I think I want front suspension, but need a lock-out for sure. I do a lot of paved trail riding and want the option to lock out the suspension. I can live with a hardtail, and probably prefer it. I like the "mid sized" tires, not the full 2" but not the ultra thin 28 or 32c.
I'll be selling my Sirrus, locally I guess. I should be able to get $400-$450 for it with the wider tires, stock tires, and the wireless spedo/odo. Maybe?
So if a guy had $700 to spend on a hardtail bike with locking front suspension, where would I start? There are SOOO many models that Trek and Specialized offer, I can't really tell where to start and what the differences are. I would not rule out other brands, just need some tips on where to start.
Thanks so much for any help!

Zephyr11

Keep the Sirrus for your pavement or commuting whatever it is.

Now, you expected to get $400 for the Sirrus and have $700 to spend, which means your budget is now $300. Expand it a little, and get this: https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...o+08+Bike.aspx That's what you want for stairs. Then you don't need some compromise bike that will be okay for commuting and okay for urban. You'll have two bikes, one purpose built for commuting, the other purpose built for urban.

12guns

Looks like a nice bike. But single speed? It would be fine for playing and such, but I really want (I think) a more versatile bike. You're right in that the Sirrus is good for on the road...In fact it's great. I've ridden rigid mountain bikes all my life and just recently been exposed to the faster-riding, skinnier tire hybrid. Again, it's ok, but not very forgiving w/ 80 psi in those tires!
Any other ideas? I need 18-24 speeds, less aggressive tires, lock out shocks (front) and hardtail. I did find a NICE Specialized at a local store, but not sure which model it was. It was a sharp looking matte black and did have the lock out shocks. It was $700 and for a bike I have not ridden, I sure did like it. Just wanted some other brands or options for that kind of money.

And to be honest with you, half of what I don't like about the Sirrus is bright red color! Might end up with a bike very similar that is grey or black...silly I know.

Zephyr11

Hm, I think you misunderstood me. I'm not saying to ditch the Sirrus and replace it with the Kromo. You'd keep the Sirrus for all your general road riding. This is just to satisfy your desire to have a play bike to mess around on stairs and such with. Maybe I'm missing something in your post, but it sounds like you use your bike for roads or MUPs or whatever "paved trails" refers to if not that. For anything like that, a hybrid will be a faster and more efficient ride than a mountain bike. Now, your problem is that you want a bike to play on urban features with, and recognize that you don't want to hop a set of stairs on your Sirrus. That's where the Kromo comes in: a second bike for aggressive urban riding. If you're looking to start riding real trails and need some kind of compromise that will be good on trails but won't suck on the road, just say the word, and the suggestion will change. But for what you're describing, I think a two bike setup with your current hybrid and a DJ is your best bet.

And don't buy a new bike because you don't like the color. Just paint it if it's that hideous that you can't stand it.

ed 

+1

ed 

I hate when people say it, but "cheap, light, durable...pick two."

You want a sprinter that's strong enough to hop some urban at an entry level price.

If you want a fast bike that will still be strong enough to take some abuse...you will need to pay for it.

3speed

I agree with the two bike deal, though I personally would expand the idea a little and get something with gears and find some local trails. At very least, invest in a decent MTB that you can comfortably ride with the seat nice and high for paved commuting type riding and a second wheel-set. Then you can just quick flip the bike over and swap wheels when you want to take it out to the trails or whatever. I think that's the only way you're going to have the good of both worlds(Never gonna get the best of both worlds in one bike.).

I know you do not want to be trying to ride pavement on the same tires that will be suitable for tricks/trails. I have a pretty nice 80s road bike and a MTB. I tried riding the MTB somewhere a few miles away on the pavement One time. There's a reason they make two very different kinds of bikes for the different styles of riding.

Peacob

This is what you are looking for...
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...7&menuItemId=0
The only true hybrid
Tires for the road/gravel/trail
front suspension with lockout



i sell these kinds of bikes to people looking to do exactly what you want to do all the time at the lbs i work at.

Zephyr11

I'd break that Crosstrail riding urban. And my drops aren't that huge and I don't weigh much either. That and the geometry sucks for that kind of riding.

12guns

Well, thanks a ton for all the replies.
Looks like there's not a perfect option that will do everything, although that Specialized is close and I may look into it. Just to clarify, I won't be riding over large drops and anything crazy, but I do want to be able to hop off the paved trail and have some fun without having to have another bike. That may not be realistic. If not, I may end up with a fully rigid bike like I've grown up on. Which leads me back to the same Sirrus that I own now! I have thought about painting it, but would almost rather have lock out shocks along with the better color. I would then have to get skinnier tires, but feel like that might be a good compromise? Anyone ever get a thinner tire over the 2" wide mtb tires? I have 1.25 "all terrain" tires on my old Schwinn and they do just fine on the road. Thoughts?

Peacob

You act like this guy whats to do all out urban freestyle... he said he finds himself hopping curbs and small stuff like that, while riding paved/dirt roads..... The crosstrail is perfect for what he wants to do.

seriously 12guns, the crosstrail is exactly what you are looking for.

12guns

I'll give it some thought.
I rode a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 29r today...Man it's a sweet bike! It felt great and seems to be road friendly enough for me. The only one they had in stock was a 21". I'm right at 6' tall and about 215 lbs. I realize it's a touch big for me, but there's something about the larger frame that I seem to really like.
I also rode a Giant w/ the same disc brakes, lock-out shocks and such. It was a 19" and seemed just as good quality, but I still liked the Specialized better.
I listed my two bike today on craigslist. If they sell soon, I'll have to get serious. Right now it's between the 19" Hardrock and 21" Hardrock. REEEEAAAALY liked the 21"!! One thing I liked best about the Specialized is the Lock-Out front shocks...They seem more "firm" when locked out vs. the Gary Fisher and Giant seemed to have more play even when locked out.

Peter_leo

I used to ride a hardrock (hardtail) and loved then I got a stumpjumper fsr the difference was incredible My stumpy has a lockout feature both front and rear when its on it rides like a ridged bike I could ride faster, longer and have more fun you can try different stuff like drops, jumps ect on the dually that I wouldn't try on my hardtail I can't tell the difference in weight while I'm riding you may want to consider buying a used bike more bike for less money.