Specialized Sirrus Comp

Price Paid:  $599.00 at Cycleways, Dublin

Favorite Ride:
Dublin City / Wicklow Hills

Bike Setup:
Cateye Comp
Changed stock tyres to Conti Gatorskins (700x23c)
Handlebar width shortened by 80mm
Stem flipped to dop bars slightly
Specialized bar-ends for more hand positions when climbing

Summary:
The Sirrus is a great bike for those who want the compact geometry and speed of a road bike but want the maneuverabilty and comfort of flat bars. It has 48x38x28 chainrings on the front and a 12-25t cassette on the back which is more than enough for most terrain. I've heard some bad things about the stock rims (Alex Rims S500s), but have yet to have any probs after a couple of thousand km and the stock Specialized flak Jacket tyres can be a bit hairy in the wet. All in all though it's a fine bike ...

Strengths:
Fast, light, comfortable, nice compact geometry.

Weaknesses:
Ride can be a bit harsh on less than perfect roads.

Price Paid:  $400.00 at craiglist

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
all over

Bike Setup:
changed to heavy weinman rims, continental tires, wtb fender kit (which made it through this last winter without so much as a few small scratches when i eat some ice...

Summary:
Im not sure what year my bike is, but i purchased it off craigslist almost a year ago.. I rode this bike all year long and only the wheels have given me problems. I think it's mostly due to bad engineering, since I replaced the wheels with something more oriented towards my riding style. unfortunately that adds weight unless you want to buy a wheelset that is worth more than the bike which i choose not to while im in school :)

creates a nice ballz-out atmosphere riding to work and even made it down a couple sweet jumps!

I'll never part with it unless its for a newer model with discs and better wheel technology...

Strengths:
its a specialized so its mass is remarkably balanced. Its very quick, agile, and a pleasure to pedal and shift the 10spd drivetrain...

Weaknesses:
the wheels suck really bad, the front fork makes weird noises if you push it.

Similar Products Used:
lots

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Martin Swiss, Montre

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
specialized sirrus comp

Summary:
Great ride. I look forward to taking it out every spring (stored for the winter). The speediest ride in this price category. Carbon seat-post and forks have held up very well. Frame design especially good for taller riders (I have an XL, I'm 6'3"). Some components a huge let-down, though - see weaknesses section.

Strengths:
great frame, carbon components, speedy ride, bullet-proof tires (nimbus armadillo), light (21 lbs.), inverted pedals allow you to squeeze through traffic - great city bike. Rock-solid shimano 105 components.

Weaknesses:
bike HAS to be kept on smooth pavement (or you'll destroy the alex 400 rims with ease). absolute crap seat (on a $1,400 ride, this is just not excusable) - replaced with a proper, hi-end specialized seat - for an extra $130.

plastic trigger-fire shifters (shimano) - once again, not really expected on a bike in this price category.

Similar Products Used:
Peugeot liberty

Price Paid:  $600.00 at eRIKS bIKE sHOP

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Specialize Sirrus elite

Summary:
I,ve been using a trek 8500 mountain bike for more than a decade now, until it was stolen. I like the mountain bike set up, but wanted more speed. Which is why I got the Sirrus. The first month was an adjustment, afterwards I got use to riding in a more deliquet manner(mtn. bikes are just easier to abuse). I would recommend getting this bike if you like a light wieght, flat bar road bike.

Strengths:
light weight, style, most of the componets.

Weaknesses:
wheels get out of true easily and rear gear components are crap. My Mtn bike had smoother rear gear components. I did not expect this on a higher price elite model.

Similar Products Used:
trek fx 7100

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Village Ski's and Bi

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
WO&D Trail

Bike Setup:
If you are used to geting up on the pedals to ride up hills highly recommend installing bar end extensions. I normally ride with my hands on the bar ends because it comes close to riding with your hands on the brake hoods of a normal road bike.

Summary:
I am a 55 year old man whose 1984 Nishiki Medallist was getting a "little" dated and looking for an upright bicycle that was more comfortable. I bought a 2007 Sirrus comp and have been thoroughly pleased. The bike has very good gear spacing and the Shimano Tiagra drivetrain provides faultless and easy shifts. The carbon seat stays and carbon fork do provide a much smoother ride than my previous road bike.

Strengths:
Bicycle is light and rides with very little road resistance just like a road bike but with a more comfortable upright riding position. May not be suitable for riding gravel roads due to standard 700x28c tires

Weaknesses:
The Specialized spec sheet lists the seat post as carbon fiber. Do not let this influence your decision to buy. The seatpost is actually made of aluminum with a carbon fiber veneer. This is easy to check - have the bicycle dealer pull the seatpost off the bike. Look at the end of the seatpost - if it is silver or aluminum in color like mine it is not carbon fiber. The end of a carbon fiber seatpost will look black just like the outside.
The standard seat is made of vinyl so I replaced it with a leather riding seat.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 7500