New owner Specialized Secteur Sport

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

...The difference between the two is quite significant, given that I have them both set up very similarly. There's only a 1kg overall weight difference but even I can feel that the Secteur is way more responsive.

Assume you mean between Secteur and Tricross? If yes then the Secteur should indeed feel more responsive than the Tricross; it is set up to be.

The Tricross is set up to be more versatile with larger clearances for larger tyres, this will allow for towpath riding and as such the bike will have a more heavyweight construction to accommodate that kind of terrain, as such whatever you do to it don’t expect it to feel as responsive as the Secteur. Vice versa applies of course, you can fit Clip on guards and a pannier rack to a Secteur, yet it will never feel as robust as a Tricross or feel quite as stable loaded with luggage, neither will it cope with towpath tracks as easily.

For sure it is all relative in as much where Norm states "Secteur is way more responsive" others may feel less of a difference. However the fact that there is a difference means it is worth making the effort to make sure you get the model that is best set up for you personally. Alteratively; working on the theory that the ultimate number of bikes is exactly what you already have; plus one; then get both

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[Norm]

Assume you mean between Secteur and Tricross? If yes then the Secteur should indeed feel more responsive than the Tricross; it is set up to be.

That was indeed the comparison I was making.

The surprise, for me, is that the bikes look similar, the same saddle height etc, there is not a vast difference in weight and I am, at best, an enthusiastic leisure rider who needs a stop-watch to tell whether I have road or mud tyres on the MTB. If I can feel a difference, then someone who knows what they are talking about must love all these subtle variations between the models.

The Tricross is set up to be more versatile with larger clearances for larger tyres, this will allow for towpath riding and as such the bike will have a more heavyweight construction to accommodate that kind of terrain, as such whatever you do to it don’t expect it to feel as responsive as the Secteur. Vice versa applies of course, you can fit Clip on guards and a pannier rack to a Secteur, yet it will never feel as robust as a Tricross or feel quite as stable loaded with luggage, neither will it cope with towpath tracks as easily.

Yup, that's exactly why I have both, together with a dedicated off-road bike, an old steelie and a 20 year old MTB which now has road tyres, mudguards and panniers. Although I'd never say never, I can't see any gaps in my garage that I have an urgent desire to fill.

For sure it is all relative in as much where Norm states "Secteur is way more responsive" others may feel less of a difference. However the fact that there is a difference means it is worth making the effort to make sure you get the model that is best set up for you personally. Alteratively; working on the theory that the ultimate number of bikes is exactly what you already have; plus one; then get both

Yup to all that too.

 

[potsy]

Not an uncommon train of thought; the Secteur has a focus as a relatively lighweight, fast long distance bike, qualities that will be diminished if you then fit a bomb proof heavy tyre like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I'm not saying it's a bad tyre, far from it, but if I was looking for a relatively lighweight, fast long distance tyre it wouldn't be my choice.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

What tyre would you recommend Paul? I've found the 4 seasons rather good tbh.Have put some sks race-blades on too for the odd occasion when it rains in Manchester

 

[potsy]

I'm using the stock Tyres, 850 miles so far and had three punctures - not an excessive amount for this time of year. The Tyres do hum when rolling though so I think slicks might be a worthwhile change, something I am considering at the moment.

I binned the stock tyres after a week or so,though mine were All Condition Sport,others seem to have got slightly different ones on theirs.I had 4 punc*ur*s in little over 130 miles,3 of them in 1 day(was not happy)

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

What tyre would you recommend Paul? I've found the 4 seasons rather good tbh.Have put some sks race-blades on too for the odd occasion when it rains in Manchester

It depends on what you want from a tyre, as a comparison on my own VanNicholas Yukon I use Continental Ultra Gator Skins, I have always found these a good compromise between a speed, puncture-resistant and durability, the folding Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite Tyre have been very popular as a tyre offering similar qualities.

On Sportive/Audax bikes these are often as durable and puncture resistant as many will fit, for summer use some prefer something lighter, especially on the more Sportive bikes that may have slightly more focus on speed compared to an Audax bike; for example I do occasionally use my Yukon on hardpack tracks, so would not consider anything lighter; if I was then the 4 season you have been using would be a consideration, it is indeed a tyre I use on my Van Nicholas Chinook that is my race bike; although in reality that translates to the bike I polish more than I ride and I can't really justify but bought it because I wanted it

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[Broadside]

Paul & Potsy, they all sound like pretty durable tyres you are suggesting there. I have heard many say that upgrading tyres makes a big difference to the ride. Does it all come down to the weight? Is there an ideal weight for each tyre that should not be exceeded that make it 'good'?

Like anyone else I like to avoid punctures and often pick out sharp bits with my wifes tweezers (don't tell her...) that have embedded in the tyres but not yet made it through to the innertube to prevent them, but I am wondering about going for a much lighter weight tyre than the stock tyres on my Secteur Sport.

I realise I am straying in to other threads here, but we seem to have reached this topic naturally...

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Paul & Potsy, they all sound like pretty durable tyres you are suggesting there. I have heard many say that upgrading tyres makes a big difference to the ride. Does it all come down to the weight? Is there an ideal weight for each tyre that should not be exceeded that make it 'good'?

Like anyone else I like to avoid punctures and often pick out sharp bits with my wifes tweezers (don't tell her...) that have embedded in the tyres but not yet made it through to the innertube to prevent them, but I am wondering about going for a much lighter weight tyre than the stock tyres on my Secteur Sport.

I realise I am straying in to other threads here, but we seem to have reached this topic naturally...

The tyres I listed do strike a good balance between weight and puncture resistance, there are heavier tyres that are even more puncture resistant and indeed lighter less puncture resistant tyres that are chosen on bikes with a quicker set up; race bikes for example. For those looking for the quickest set up they can on the Sportive bikes like the Secteur and Roubaix then the lighter race bike focused tyres are indeed a popular choice.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[shippers]

I'll be picking up my secteur sport tomorrow, and the M+'s from the old Giant will be going on it straight away, as will the posh pedals!
I'll let you know if the wheels still go round.

 

[potsy]

I'll be picking up my secteur sport tomorrow, and the M+'s from the old Giant will be going on it straight away, as will the posh pedals!
I'll let you know if the wheels still go round.

Nice one shippers,what size M+ are they?

 

[mashhead1]

I was thinking about getting a new bike. It was a choice between the Cannondale Synapse or the Secteur Sport. You guys have swayed me towards the Speshy. Any ideas on where to get a good deal on one? I know that it's new this year so I'm hoping some of you have come across some?

 

[dhague]

At this time of year, it's virtually impossible to get a discount on Specialized 2010 models - however, Specialized do have a promotion on right now where you get £80 worth of Specialized goodies (multitool, etc) if you buy a Secteur:

If you go for the Secteur Elite, there's an alternative option of 10% worth of Spesh kit (i.e. £100 worth).

Details of both are here:
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCWhatsNewDetail.jsp?article=7988

Cheers,
Darren

 

[Norm]

I was thinking about getting a new bike. It was a choice between the Cannondale Synapse or the Secteur Sport. You guys have swayed me towards the Speshy. Any ideas on where to get a good deal on one? I know that it's new this year so I'm hoping some of you have come across some?

Mash

Whereabouts in London are you? I might be able to get a deal but I'll only ask if you are likely to come out west of London.

 

[ianrauk]

You might not be able to get a %age off the bike, but you should be able to swing 10% freebies.. better pedals, bottle cages, lights etc

 

[HaloJ]

Oh darn. I'll be ordering mine next week.

2010 White Secteur Sport with M520 pedals also in white.

I've been hankering after a road bike for a couple of months now. My hybrid whilst I love it just isn't quick enough and I kept running out of gears on the top end. Great excuse for a new bike, although I did get told by the OH to get a new rear cassette.

I've looked at all sorts Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD, Trek 1 through 2.blah, Kona Jakes, Spesh Tricross (not very low standover) and finally settled on the mid range Secteur with a mind to upgrade the components over time and maybe in the future pickup a Roubaix.

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

You might not be able to get a %age off the bike, but you should be able to swing 10% freebies.. better pedals, bottle cages, lights etc

Until June 30th 2010 Specialized are currently running an offer on all Secteur purchases:

SECTEUR SPORTIVE STARTER PACK
Specialized are giving away a free sportive starter pack with every Secteur purchase; a Speedzone Sport Wireless computer, Airtool road pump, Little Big Mouth bottle, Rib cage Pro, EMT Sport multi tool.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk