Specialized Sirrus Sport

On Aug 15, 9:58 am, landotter wrote:
On Aug 14, 11:39 pm, Cycling bee wrote:

Hope this isn't off topic....

I haven't ridden in about 6 year. Long story short.... tore my
meniscus on a ride a few years ago.
But I've been bitten by the cycling bug again. So I've been shopping
around for a new ride.
I'm going to be commuting and if my knee is fine with long distance
riding I'll be getting back into touring.
All the bikes that I've looked at are in the $900.00 range.

You could also get a nice do everything touring bike in that range
like an REI Randonee or Surly LHT OR an adventure bike like the REI
Safari OR a cool Euro commuter with an internally geared hub or even
spend half that for a bike that's less dear and better suited for
banging around and locking up in shady urban areas where ya fear
theives. Explore all your options!

Most places that I intend to ride the bike to have secured parking for
bicycles. At work I've been told that I can hang my bike in the
workshop.



Two bikes that have really caught my fancy a
a) Jamis Coda Sport (possibly the coda elite)
and
b) Specialized Sirrus Sport.

There are tons more in this style.



I've had both out for decent test rides. I like both of them, but I
can only take one. :-(
Both bikes will take rear racks and panniers. Both are flat bar with
an riding position that isn't completely upright but doesn't have me
too far forward either. Both have conventional rim brakes. Disc brakes
look enticing, but I'm more familiar with maintaining v-lever brakes
and for my riding v-lever will meet my needs.

Vee brakes are MORE than enough for the road unless you're a clyde or
ride in extreme conditions. Disk brakes are *usually* a selling
gimmick.

If by 'clyde' you mean heavy like a draught horse, I'm only a slight
165lbs.I can't see v-brakes being much of an issue. And if they are I
guess I'll just have to buy another bike next year with disc
brakes. ;-)



So... my few questions.

I've never heard of Jamis before. Does anyone have any anecdotal
stories about Jamis and their bikes.
The Specialized Sirrus Sport has carbon fibre forks and seat stays,
with little neoprene things called 'zertz'(sp?). Have these been
trouble free and does the carbon fibre hold up well to the typical
abuse that a commuter bike would be expected to endure?

Steel or aluminum bikes are good. Carbon is fine stuff--but I wouldn't
want it for a bike that's getting locked up and scratched in the city.


food for thought.

Jamis is a good company. Might also want to check out their Commuter
series. If you're commuting under ten miles, they're a very elegant
solution, especially the model with the 8 speed gear hub:

http://jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_b...commuter3.html



Thanks.

On Aug 15, 1:54 pm, Rob Lindauer wrote:
Cycling bee wrote:
The Specialized Sirrus Sport has carbon fibre forks and seat stays,
with little neoprene things called 'zertz'(sp?). Have these been
trouble free and does the carbon fibre hold up well to the typical
abuse that a commuter bike would be expected to endure?

I can't comment on the Sirrus Sport specifically, but I have a six-year
old flat-bar Sirrus Pro (eBay, $400) that I outfitted with fenders and
racks and use for commuting (racks and bags from Wayne at
thetouringstore.com - an excellent place to do business). Mine has a CF
fork, but the stays are aluminum. For me, the Sirrus works just fine as
a commuter, the build quality seems good, and I've had no problem
(except for those I caused myself....). -Rob L
--
Rob Lindauer - Please change "att" to "sbc" for my real email address

Thanks for the reply!

In article ,
landotter writes:

Both have conventional rim brakes. Disc brakes
look enticing, but I'm more familiar with maintaining v-lever brakes
and for my riding v-lever will meet my needs.

Vee brakes are MORE than enough for the road unless you're a clyde or
ride in extreme conditions. Disk brakes are *usually* a selling
gimmick.

V-brakes work very well as brakes.

But they sure complicate the mounting of fenders.

If/when v-brakes get in the way of fenders, disk brakes
just might offer a facile option. I'd nevertheless
prefer old-skool canti's, myself.

'Cuz y'know why? V-brakes are for true, real
Mountain Bikes that would never be encumbered
with fenders in the first place. Just as knobby
tires are for true, real Mountain Bikes that would
never be encumbered with bottle generators.

V-brakes have no place on a mostly-road/street
transportational bike.

And that is that.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

On Aug 15, 3:23 pm, "Tom Kunich" cyclintom@yahoo. com wrote:
"Cycling bee" wrote in message

...



I've never heard of Jamis before. Does anyone have any anecdotal
stories about Jamis and their bikes.
The Specialized Sirrus Sport has carbon fibre forks and seat stays,
with little neoprene things called 'zertz'(sp?). Have these been
trouble free and does the carbon fibre hold up well to the typical
abuse that a commuter bike would be expected to endure?

Since you want to commute for the most part and are thinking of touring as
well, I would suggest you look more at a Surly Long Haul Trucker which would
serve both cases very well.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ong+Haul+Truck...
is a report. But you really should try to get it from a local bike shop.

Thanks,
actually never heard of Surly before, but there seem to be quite a few
shops in Vancouver that can order them in. I'll have to call around
and see if any keep some in stock for 'demo' rides.

Tom Keats wrote:
In article ,
landotter writes:

Both have conventional rim brakes. Disc brakes
look enticing, but I'm more familiar with maintaining v-lever brakes
and for my riding v-lever will meet my needs.

Vee brakes are MORE than enough for the road unless you're a clyde or
ride in extreme conditions. Disk brakes are *usually* a selling
gimmick.

V-brakes work very well as brakes.

But they sure complicate the mounting of fenders.

How so? I have fenders on bikes with V-brakes, and mounting was not a
problem.

If/when v-brakes get in the way of fenders, disk brakes
just might offer a facile option. I'd nevertheless
prefer old-skool canti's, myself.

'Cuz y'know why? V-brakes are for true, real
Mountain Bikes that would never be encumbered
with fenders in the first place. Just as knobby
tires are for true, real Mountain Bikes that would
never be encumbered with bottle generators.

V-brakes have no place on a mostly-road/street
transportational bike.

And that is that.

I only have one caliper brake on all the bikes I ride. Except for the
rather flexible BMX calipers, none will fit over appropriately wide tires.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
“Mary had a little lamb / And when she saw it sicken /
She shipped it off to Packingtown / And now it’s labeled chicken.”

In article ,
Tom Sherman writes:
Tom Keats wrote:
In article ,
landotter writes:

Both have conventional rim brakes. Disc brakes
look enticing, but I'm more familiar with maintaining v-lever brakes
and for my riding v-lever will meet my needs.

Vee brakes are MORE than enough for the road unless you're a clyde or
ride in extreme conditions. Disk brakes are *usually* a selling
gimmick.

V-brakes work very well as brakes.

But they sure complicate the mounting of fenders.

How so? I have fenders on bikes with V-brakes, and mounting was not a
problem.

The crown of the fender is right where the noodle goes.

If/when v-brakes get in the way of fenders, disk brakes
just might offer a facile option. I'd nevertheless
prefer old-skool canti's, myself.

'Cuz y'know why? V-brakes are for true, real
Mountain Bikes that would never be encumbered
with fenders in the first place. Just as knobby
tires are for true, real Mountain Bikes that would
never be encumbered with bottle generators.

V-brakes have no place on a mostly-road/street
transportational bike.

And that is that.

I only have one caliper brake on all the bikes I ride.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^

A sample of one is dick-all.

Except for the
rather flexible BMX calipers, none will fit over appropriately wide tires.

If you're arguing that single/dual-pivot caliper brakes
are as fender-hostile as V-brakes, Ed Dolan is almost
correct about you.

Nevertheless, V-brakes are the most anti-fender brakes
in the world. Except they're not anti-fender. They
just ignore why fenders might be useful. V-brakes simply
aren't meant for fender'd bikes.

Everybody who rides transportational all-weather bicycles
already knows that.

But apparently you don't.

You need to rethink.


cheers,
Tom


--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

In article ,
Cycling bee writes:

Thanks,
actually never heard of Surly before, but there seem to be quite a few
shops in Vancouver that can order them in.

Oh, a fellow Vancouverite, eh?

You can get anything you want here, including stuff
you didn't even know you wanted.

I'll have to call around
and see if any keep some in stock for 'demo' rides.

Do that.

You'll eventually find the whip that suits yez, despite
manu opinions from the Peanut Gallery.

The world is your oyster.

Go get a bike, and ride it.


cheers,
Tom

--
Welcome to the East End. Expect no mercy.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

Tom Keats wrote:
In article ,
Tom Sherman writes:
Tom Keats wrote:
In article
,
landotter writes:

Both have conventional rim brakes. Disc brakes
look enticing, but I'm more familiar with maintaining v-lever
brakes
and for my riding v-lever will meet my needs.

Vee brakes are MORE than enough for the road unless you're a clyde
or
ride in extreme conditions. Disk brakes are *usually* a selling
gimmick.

V-brakes work very well as brakes.

But they sure complicate the mounting of fenders.

How so? I have fenders on bikes with V-brakes, and mounting was not a
problem.

The crown of the fender is right where the noodle goes.

If/when v-brakes get in the way of fenders, disk brakes
just might offer a facile option. I'd nevertheless
prefer old-skool canti's, myself.

'Cuz y'know why? V-brakes are for true, real
Mountain Bikes that would never be encumbered
with fenders in the first place. Just as knobby
tires are for true, real Mountain Bikes that would
never be encumbered with bottle generators.

V-brakes have no place on a mostly-road/street
transportational bike.

And that is that.

I only have one caliper brake on all the bikes I ride.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^

A sample of one is dick-all.

Except for the
rather flexible BMX calipers, none will fit over appropriately wide
tires.

If you're arguing that single/dual-pivot caliper brakes
are as fender-hostile as V-brakes, Ed Dolan is almost
correct about you.

Nevertheless, V-brakes are the most anti-fender brakes
in the world. Except they're not anti-fender. They
just ignore why fenders might be useful. V-brakes simply
aren't meant for fender'd bikes.

Everybody who rides transportational all-weather bicycles
already knows that.

But apparently you don't.

You need to rethink.


cheers,
Tom

Most/many 'transportational all-weather/city/path/commuting' bicycles (in the UK) come fitted with 'V' brakes and mudguards (fenders) as standard (climate may have some part to play here) without any problems.


--
Colin N.

Lincolnshire is mostly flat ... But the wind is mostly in your face

Cycling bee wrote:
On Aug 15, 2:30 pm, Jorg Lueke wrote:

You might want to try the Sequoia
which is much like the Sirrus but with drop bars. The drops do help
if you ride enough.

It should be pretty easy to change the bars over from flat to drop,
no?

Unfortunately, no, not usually. Flat bars need different brake levers
and shifters, so besides swapping handlebars, you usually have to change
those, too. It can get further complicated because not all levers are
compatible with all brakes. Deciding whether you want flat or drop bars
is a pretty major fork in the decision road.

Tom Keats wrote:

Nevertheless, V-brakes are the most anti-fender brakes
in the world. Except they're not anti-fender. They
just ignore why fenders might be useful. V-brakes simply
aren't meant for fender'd bikes.

Everybody who rides transportational all-weather bicycles
already knows that.

But apparently you don't.

You need to rethink.

Sorry, I don't agree. I have fenders on 26" & 700c frames, some with
cantilever, some with caliper (side/center), some with V. They all work.
I'd say overall, V's are my favorite -- work well, cheap, easy to
adjust -- canti's a close second, only a PITA to adjust and squeal more
often. Yeah, sometimes the noodles rub on the fender & get chewed up,
but who needs noodles, anyway?