mobile_gnome

Pics;


I wanted to buy a bike that would be supported by a LBS, so I was mainly choosing between Giant, Trek and Specialized. My riding is going to be street and paved trail so I was mainly looking at hybrids... and originally I wanted to spend something like $750. I spent several weeks bugging the Trek shop looking at the DS and FX bikes. That led me to compare the Specialized offerings and while visiting that shop I had a chance to do a test ride on a Roubaix Elite 105.

I knew that the Trek FX 7.7 was a Madone frame, and the Sirrus Comp Carbon would be the Roubaix. Anyway that little test ride changed my mind about what I was looking for. I took a chance and ordered the Sirrus Comp Carbon sight unseen, based on the fit and feel of the Roubaix.

Took a couple weeks to arrive, not bad for a fresh new model. Very pleased with the fit and finish - its a very nice looking bike and shows better in person than in the few pics Specialized and some of the shops have posted. Nice contrast of the mat gray and gloss black on the frame.

I had it side by side with the Roubaix of roughly the same frame size and it sure looks like the same frame - same head angle and wheelbase. The Sirrus Comp Carbon is noticeably heavier than the Elite 105 though... mine weighs in at 21lbs. That difference is the seatpost, handlebar, and disc brakes mostly...

I got the small frame model - which just fits me (5'5"). Making adjustments to fit over the last few days, and I'm comfortable, but the shortness of the road frame geometry is noticeable reach wise. To fix that I am probably going to upgrade the seatpost to a shorter lighter one with an offset. Also thinking of a handlebar upgrade to lose some grams.

I do like the road geometry. I rode a Falcon back in the 70's that was super short and responsive, and the Sirrus Comp has that same "lets go quick" feel.

The bike arrived with 700x23 tires instead of the advertised 28's, and I had them put on Specialized All Condition Armadillos instead of the stock supplied rubber. There are miles of hardpack and crushed gravel paths I want to ride and I'm looking at fitting Specialized Infinity's (or similar) in 700x32 on the bike.

The Sirrus Comp Carbon is a great value for the money IMHO. Carbon! Discs! Fast!

I'll report more as I put on some miles...

camjr

Well played. Out of my price range during my recent flat bar road bike search, but one can dream...

raqball

Awesome bike!

I don't think it's the Roubaix frame however as they have different geometry..

2702

I think Specialized has changed the geometry a bit, on the 12-13 Sirrus LTD carbons they shared the same geometry as the Roubaixs. I think those that bought the 12-13 Carbon Sirrus had the best carbons out there. That Compact Race Geometry with that short wheelbase was a blast. I kick myself for not getting one.

raqball

Yes indeed..

I have the 2013 Sirrus Limited SL4 and it does have the Roubaix SL4 10r carbon frame... Mine also came with Ultegra Di2 to boot..

The 2014 Sirrus is still an awesome bike though.

badger1

Completely agree that mobile_gnome has bought a great bike; however, I do think there is something really 'off' about Specialized's geometry charts for this year's carbon Sirrus bikes (all of them). For example m_g says he bought the "small" Carbon Comp. The geometry chart says that the small has a seat tube length of 440mm centre of b/b to top (17.3 inches). I don't think so; a quick glance at m_g's photos of his bike shows something more like a 52 Roubaix. Along the same lines, I don't think those chainstays are 435 mm. -- again compare the image to that of a current Roubaix (looks the same) or my old Sirrus (attached), which does have 435mm chainstays (note the clearance even with 32c tires).



As far as I can tell (haven't seen any of the Sirrus carbons 'live') they do all have Roubaix geometry, just perhaps in fewer sizes. Stand to be corrected, but that's certainly what it looks like. That's the main reason I have held off and will continue to hold off switching to one (from my '10 Sirrus Comp) -- the geometry for me is just wrong for flat bars unless one is either prepared to 'size up' to get the right t/t length or wants a really upright position.

Other than that, lovely bike(s) and none of the above matters if the bike fits as one wants -- I'm just grouching because I want one!

2702

I ride a Medium Sirrus but on a Roubaix would need a small. I really have no fit issues with my new Sirrus except well the handlebars is really wide. I'm sure with some miles I will be more adjusted, its 26 and 3/4 inches long. I thought of cutting them for free at the dealer but nah I prefer to ride everything stock if I can. I took off the reflectors as someone said they unbalance the wheel and cause damage to the spokes over the long haul.

mobile_gnome

Sirrus Comp Carbon small as recvd - seat tube measure 470mm... everything else appears to be off from their published geometry list too. It's definitely road frame short in wheelbase. Top tube appears to be about 525mm (from center of head tube to center of seat tube)

2702 - I had shop whittle the handlebar down to 560mm (~22"), which was about as short as they could get it.

Yesterday and today I am trying to finesse the seat and handlebar positions. So far not a big fan of that Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle. Too soft and too wide for my liking

Jaeger99

That is one sharp-looking bike - enjoy!

2702

Taking it down to 22 is a lot from 26 3/4. I am getting use to it now and will leave it alone. I thought the seat was painful at first but now zero problems with it. The brakes are getting worn in nicely, that loud sandy rubbing sound is almost all gone. I still have my FX trek and well I sure could use a errands type bike but need to sell to pay off this bad boy.
I could have bought this bike in January when the dealer was selling for no tax ( its 9.5%) in my state plus 10 percent off msrp. I paid 2099 plus tax, they got me buying in June is in their favor. Did not want to miss out on this model as I really like black and red bikes the most.

KLiNCK

Nice bike!
If you want to save some weight and get much better responsiveness, I'd replace the All Condition Armadillos. I had 25mm Armadillos on my Roubaix for the 2012 & 13 seasons. 10,000 kms (6,000 miles) and no flats! You could ride over glass "all day long" on them - they were bullet proof.
In April of this year I replaced them with a set of Continental GP4000s (25mm) because I had heard nothing but good reviews on them. I was very happy with the Armadillos but I thought "what the heck I'll give the Continentals a try"...
What a difference! Night and day. Being able to do a back to back comparison of the two really showed me how heavy and "wooden" feeling the Armadillos are. They have great puncture protection but they just don't roll well.
I have 1,500 km on the GP4000's so far this season, they are wearing very well and no flats yet ... (although I now ride around glass shards instead of through them! LOL!)

badger1

Thanks for confirming that, m_g. It is a lovely bike, and if its geometry works for you that's great.
Now, if only the big S would get fully on-board with the carbon Sirrus and produce a dedicated frame with proper flat-bar geometry in several sizes, and stop just putting flat-bars on Roubaix frames.

2702

I don't think any of the makers will spend the R and D for carbon hybrid bikes as they don't sell enough to make more of. For example in Jan. 2014 I was searching for a bike, the Trek store had a 14 FX 7.7 size 54. As of yesterday it was still on display, 6 months is a long time for one model and a pretty average size of 54 to not sell.

badger1

You might be right. OTOH, this year's Giant Escape Composite appears to be doing very well in N.A. -- now, there is a true cf flat-bar bike. It's geometry doesn't suit me, unfortunately, but at least Giant appears to be responding to what they must perceive to be a demand. As well, the Trek 7.7, like the current Sirrus carbon bikes, a drop-bar road frame with flat-bars.
Who knows? We'll see what happens.

ColonelSanders

What is the size of the tyre in those pics?

carbon14

I think the OP said they were 700X23. Specialized says on the product page for the Sirrus Comp Carbon that it comes with 700x28 but mine came with 700x25's so they don't seem to be very consistent. I've had mine since late March and I couldn't be happier with it. I love the speed and handling, and for my old body, the riding position is just about perfect.

mobile_gnome

Yeah, that's a nice looking bike!

2702

Waiting for the 1st Sirrus Pro Carbon owner to come to the board.
Specialized Bicycle Components

That bike is pure beauty.

carbon14

I'll be interested in hearing from the first Pro Carbon owner here too. I considered it and the Expert Carbon when trying to choose which bike to get and finally settled on the Comp Carbon because the other two just didn't seem that big a step up component-wise for the price differential and the value proposition wasn't strong enough for me. I do like the color scheme that Specialized gave the Pro Carbon but I've definitely warmed up to the Comp Carbon's looks after receiving it. It's a great looking bike and photos - at least the ones I've taken of it - don't do it justice. I'm going to pull out my good camera this coming weekend and get some good shots of it outdoors.

raqball

I was actually ready to buy that when I came across mine..



MSRP on mine was 5K but I guess Specialized had a hard time selling them because of the price and the fact that it's a flat bar.. My LBS owner seriously hooked me up and I picked it up for 3K, tax and all out the door!

Prior it scoring it, I was ready to order the Pro Carbon and yes, It's an awesome bike!

Even though Specialized only made 300 of the one I have (mine is # 54 ) I still think there are some left to be had..

I personally think the entire Sirrus line of bike are awesome but I am biased!

Italia1970

Hey,

That is a sweet ride, and everything equal I would rather have your bike.

However I am a value guy.

I got my Trek FX 7.7 carbon frame for $900.

Is that Specialized nicer than mine? I would say yes.

Is it $2100 better before tax? My guess is no.

SWEET BIKE.

raqball

Well thanks! I love it!

Yes I do see your point $$$ wise but I could not pass it up at 3K out the door.. It has a lot of S-Works parts mixed into it (stem, seat post ect) and Di2 shifting.. Heck Di2 alone almost costs what I paid for the entire bike..

ColonelSanders

What kind of speeds do you manage with this bike?

Say on relatively flat ground?

raqball

On flats I average 20'ish mph.. Every now and then and if I really push myself, I can average 24ish mph but that's flat with no wind and not over long distance.. I'm getting ready to turn 49 next month so I am sure that someone younger and in better shape could flat out haul on this thing..

Walpurgisnacht

S-Works... drool... and Di2? Isn't that the electric shifting system? I was reading a bit about electronic shifters today and, given that my own shifters probably need some tuning, was thinking about how nice it must be to have an electric system. What do you think of it compared to mechanical?