Not sure if I need a road bike

[Sam Kennedy]

My Dad said that for Christmas I can get a road bike for £350-400, but I'm not sure if I really need a road bike.

I have a specialized sirrus, which is pretty fast on road but it can also go off road.

I have felt like I have needed drops a few times, but not so much that I would want to spend £350+

What advantages would a Road bike in that price range offer over the Specialized Sirrus? (It's the 2009 model, and it isn't the sirrus sport, just a 'Specialized Sirrus' no extras)

 

[Garz]

Ask him to pump it to a saving account then add £2 per week or £1 a day till you accumulate some funds. By the time you hit say £800 you could not only afford a nice road bike but you will have some decent wear out of your sirrus!

 

[PK99]

My Dad said that for Christmas I can get a road bike for £350-400, but I'm not sure if I really need a road bike.

you are a cyclist.

After many years of research it has been shown that the number of bikes a cyclist need is given by the equation:

N = H + 1

N = Need
H = Have

You NEED a road bike!

 

[HJ]

Sam if you do a search on the forum, there is a thread about how to convert the Specialized Sirrus hybrid to drop bars, which might be an option for you.

I know of at least one and I think there are a couple of other people on here who have done it, so there will be advice available if you want it...

 

[Fab Foodie]

There's no obligation to have a road bike. The advantages are going further faster with less effort. If that matters, or if you're interested in club riding then drop barred road-bike is the basic requirement, though we have a few mightily fast flat-bar riders in our club training runs too!

I would tend to want to save too to get something better than an entrylevel road bike as well.
The Sirrus might not appear sexy, but it's a very capable and versatile machine.

 

[normgow]

I would advise buying a cyclo-cross bike. With a spare pair of wheels fitted with road tyres you can go everywhere.
Try looking for a good secondhand bike you can often find some real bargains.

 

[waffle]

go with the heart not the head!