Local bike shop advice ??? too confusing.

[Cyclist33]

This thread has lost its er thread, so Original Poster, have you made your decision and when are you getting your new bike?

Stu

 

[jay clock]

yes, the Defy...... At the very worst in a few months this will all be a distant fad and the Defy will sell in seconds! But I think the Sirrus is a great bike, but more suited for the casual rider. The shop is trying either to offload it, or perhaps looking at you deciding that a slighltly heavy 50+ yr old will bever really take thing seriously! WHich of course you will!

 

[HLaB]

Note that not all riders 'take' to drops from the first minute. I had to persevere for some weeks until I felt happy, now I prefer them.

+1 the first time I rode on a dropped bar bike it felt all wobbly and twitch and I thought I'd made a mistake buying it. No twitchyness the 2nd time and it just got better and better on subsequent rides. I now say drops feel more responsive

 

[ChristinaJL]

My husband recently made the transition to a road bike from a hybrid and he's loving it. He got a giant defy 3 which is the model down from the 2 and I have to say, it's a lovely bike. Although I prefer my specialized as it's a bit higher spec.

 

[lesley_x]

Test ride the giant, and see if you like drop bars. If you don't it's a pretty easy choice.
If you don't test ride, then it will always be in the back of your mind ' should have gone for drops'

To be fair, I test rode both and went for the flat bars. It was what I was used to as a kid and drop bars felt strange and unnatural. I was kicking myself 2 weeks later tbh.

 

[Spinney]

Give drops a good go before deciding. As others have said, they take a little getting used to if you have always had a flat bar. Feel a bit wobbly.

I got my first drop bar bike last year. I ride a straight bar as well, but prefer the drops now - more hand/arm positions which is great if you are going to aim for longer rides.

Also, if the first shop is offering to 'fit' the bike for you - do it, and trust them. I thought the bike shop I had got my touring bike from had got it wrong - I thought I was leaning far too far forward. But after a few 10s of miles (if that) I was convinced. I sometimes get a bit of backache on my hybrid, but not on the drops.

 

[Banjo]

I am a similar age to you and started cycling again last year for the same reasons.

Initially i bought a Trek Hybrid bike similar to the Sirrus. 6Months later after the cycling bug had really bitten i bought a Scott Speedster racer.

If you can afford 2 bikes and have space for them get a hybrid first.It wont be wasted as you can fit it out with panniers and use it for local shopping trips etc keeping your racer for fun rides.

From a weight loss perspective a multi purpose bike with panniers can become part of your routine and all the short rides add up to lots of calories gone.

I love riding both my bikes but if purely riding for enjoyment i pick the drop handle bar Racer everytime.
Good Luck

 

[chewy]

I too have had difficulty making up my mind on handlebars, but think I have decided to go with flats, as I plan to use the bike for shopping trips and other more practical uses......if I get fed up with being slower etc, I may have to save up for a raacer for my joyrides.

I did fancy an out and out racer from the off, but I have been drawn back to the practicallity issue. or it could just be an excuse to buy two bikes!!!!

 

[gmac]

I dont think i would be brave enough for a recumbent, there is a guy who lives close to me that uses one and every time I see him on it I get nervous for him especially if he encounters the inconsiderate car drivers that crossed my path recently. Only for the brave I feel!

 

[gmac]

Update, Shop 2 called me and asked me to come down and have a look at the Sirrus Elite 2011 model. Apparently there are no 2010 models to be had anywhere.? It is a different colour (black and white rather that graphic) but it is a dumbed downed version of the Elite 2010 model and £50 cheaper. I called the supplier and they confirmed that it was sandwiched between last years Sport and Elite models but still called Elite. I am been picky here??? Spec is a bit lower. Shop 2 would not let me test ride the DEFY incase of stone chip on paint. In fact they said it was there policy not to give test rides on any of their road bikes. only the hybrids and other stock. Confusion prevails???

I done 15 miles on my tank of a bike today, 48 minutes in total with a fall in the middle, silly mistake really, going too fast with mud on the road and braked hard. Just as well it was not a new bike.! Need a new knee not a bike.

 

[Norm]

Shop 2 would not let me test ride the DEFY incase of stone chip on paint. In fact they said it was there policy not to give test rides on any of their road bikes. only the hybrids and other stock.

That, IMO, is a reason not to use them.

I've walked away from a shop which wouldn't let me take out a Defy, and I'm damned glad that I did because I bought the Specialized Secteur.

 

[Banjo]

That, IMO, is a reason not to use them.

I've walked away from a shop which wouldn't let me take out a Defy, and I'm damned glad that I did because I bought the Specialized Secteur.

In fairness I can see their point there must be quite a high risk of the bike getting marked even if only by sweaty hands on the bar tape.. and does a 10 minute test ride really tell you much?

 

[Banjo]

Update, Shop 2 called me and asked me to come down and have a look at the Sirrus Elite 2011 model. Apparently there are no 2010 models to be had anywhere.? It is a different colour (black and white rather that graphic) but it is a dumbed downed version of the Elite 2010 model and £50 cheaper. I called the supplier and they confirmed that it was sandwiched between last years Sport and Elite models but still called Elite. I am been picky here??? Spec is a bit lower. Shop 2 would not let me test ride the DEFY incase of stone chip on paint. In fact they said it was there policy not to give test rides on any of their road bikes. only the hybrids and other stock. Confusion prevails???

I done 15 miles on my tank of a bike today, 48 minutes in total with a fall in the middle, silly mistake really, going too fast with mud on the road and braked hard. Just as well it was not a new bike.! Need a new knee not a bike.

Hope your injuries arent serious.Lowering the spec on bikes to keep the price down seems to be a trend at the moment. I have heard that its due to the weak pound making the compopnents more expensive.

At the end of the day its your choice and none of us know all your thoughts. If you ride in town traffic a lot maybe the flat bar sirrus , if you ride the open road and want top performance then a road racer is the way to go.

PS 15 miles on a heavy bike in 48 minutes is good going IMHO.

 

[chewy]

What does your heart say?

 

[gmac]

Hope your injuries arent serious.Lowering the spec on bikes to keep the price down seems to be a trend at the moment. I have heard that its due to the weak pound making the compopnents more expensive.

At the end of the day its your choice and none of us know all your thoughts. If you ride in town traffic a lot maybe the flat bar sirrus , if you ride the open road and want top performance then a road racer is the way to go.

PS 15 miles on a heavy bike in 48 minutes is good going IMHO.

I had to stop for 5 min to dust myself down so 53 min in all and to be fair the wind was at my back for the last 5 miles. My top speed was 23mph down a hill.