So I think I'm going to buy a Specialized Sirrus...

[aturnipisavegetable]

What do I need to know? I went to the bike shop today and the salesman recommended it, in the cricumstances (which are that I desperately need to lose weight, I'm actually heavier than most scales measure but I estimate around 140-150kg) of me being extremely inexperienced in cycling. Have decided to take a week to think about it.

Like everyone else I cycled when younger, but know very little of the modern day "craft" - EXCEPT I have a dirty habit of enjoying the youtube videos where a motorist does something they shouldn't and the cyclist shouts at them. Thousands of them out there for to you enjoy, but I digress...

My basic plan is on lunchtimes to ride it around the Southern 100 racecourse (
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTQcuOLJosg
- albeit the opposite direction to that these motorbikes are going).

Over time as my confidence builds up, maybe go other places. It's also possible that at the very beginning I will do even smaller routes but I should think I can manage the above already.

Anyway, I digress. What do you think about this bike and what should I be thinking of in particular about it?

 

[aturnipisavegetable]

Most importantly - is £370 about right?

 

[defy-one]

Evans has the Specialised Sirrus up for £370 so bang on the money.
My nephew has the sirrus sport at £450 and I was within an inch of buying one, when my son ( very sensible 16 yo) said " dad use you're Giant for a few months and then buy a fancy bike when you know you'll stick to riding"

I digress - get it mate !!!

 

[Part time cyclist]

I have a 2011 Sirrus and is the best bike I have ever ridden, I bought a standard one and have upgraded as I went along, IMHO I don't think you will be dissapointed with a Sirrus

 

[Norm]

My son has a Sirrus for his school run, I use it a fair amount because it's such a great, easy bike to enjoy.

 

[Banjo]

Sirrus is definitely a good bike and great value for the money .My only thought is that I think the Sirrus has 28c tyres and wonder if considering your weight a bike with 32c or bigger tyres may be more comfortable and less liable to puncture if you hit potholes or whatever.

I have a Trek Hybrid with Bontrager racelight 32c tyres, it rolls along surprisingly quick and the bigger tyres add a lot to the ride comfort.

 

[defy-one]

Or buy the sirrus and a set of cheaper wheels for now and as you lose weight (no offence intended) , put the originals back on. Saves buying two bikes and will be a great motivation once you have lost a few kg!

I have yo-yo'd with my weight and have found small achievable targets really help in keeping me focused. Good luck!

 

[James D]

I know several people who have Specialized Sirrus's - They are all very happy with them so I would say it's a good choice. Were you able to have a test ride?

 

[MarkF]

I have a Sirrus, I was very happy with it. However, I also have a Dawes Discovery too and for the money, the Dawes is a far sturdier bike with better quality components. Just riding the Sirrus was fine, it's a good looking bike too, but this past week servicing it ahead of a tour I've been astounded at the "quality" of it.

One rack point thread crossed immediately.
Setting up the V brakes led to 2 out of the 4 pressure screws turning to cheese......... immediately.
Oiling the cables, the 2 screws holding the plastic gear housings turned to cheese.
I moved my computer spoke magnet, ok, should have undone it really but moving it 5mm stripped the black paint off the spokes.
Changing the tyres stripped the black paint off the skewers, how? By putting them on the floor!

I've taken the Disco apart many times and it's done 1000's of miles and still looks like new, the Sirrus, wow, I am now frightened to touch it again before I head off on my tour. I know it's a not a £1k bike (but neither was the disco) but it's not a £99 'er either, the quality is shocking, it's been a real eye opener for me, my first Specialized will definitely be my last.

 

[Norm]

Sirrus is definitely a good bike and great value for the money .My only thought is that I think the Sirrus has 28c tyres and wonder if considering your weight a bike with 32c or bigger tyres may be more comfortable and less liable to puncture if you hit potholes or whatever.

A good point, but the basic Sirrus comes with 32c tyres - or, at least, the 2011 model did.

 

[leemo]

Sirrus is a lovely bike. But I'm not sure it can support your weight -- I seem to remember the manual that comes with the bike has a maximum rider weight so check this out.

I think a mountain bike with 26 inch wheels might be better. Smaller wheels and wider rim could be stronger than the ones on the sirrus. If you want to go mainly on road do not get suspension and change the knobly tyres for slicks -- about 35mm wide might be a good idea.

 

[Banjo]

A good point, but the basic Sirrus comes with 32c tyres - or, at least, the 2011 model did.

Righto, I didnt know that,I thought they all came with 28c.

I think the OP could do with having a chat with gb155 ,Gaz must be the leading expert on bikes for larger men ( Not something he has to worry about any more since his amazing weight loss success.)

 

[aturnipisavegetable]

I've sent him a PM asking him to contribute to this thread. Is he "famous" on this site for something?

 

[PaulSecteur]

Is he "famous" on this site for something?

And the rest, the guy is inspiration and motivation too.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/an-updated-video-on-what-cycling-has-done-for-me.40775/

 

[aturnipisavegetable]

Wow. Just wow.

I can see myself coming back to his thread in the future gawd knows how many times.

Anyway gaz, since I "called" you over here* - what clothing did you wear starting out and where did you get it?

*I could easily see it being that there are five or ten of us fatties asking for your assistance every day and if that gets irritating, please accept my apologies!