Specialized Sirrus vs Boardman Performance Hybrid Race

[BrynCP]

Hi,

Following on from my previous thread, I have revised my budged to around £400. To re-cap, I haven't ridden a bike since a child and I am currently approaching 120KG in weight, I will begin riding now, this winter.

Visiting a LBS, I have come up with two options:

Specialized Sirrus (most basic) at £400 http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/fitness/sirrus/sirrus

Or Boardman Performance Hybrid Race at £429.99-10% http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_875971_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Firstly, is this wise, or should I stick to my old budget and wait for Halfords to bring the Subway back down to it's worth; Secondly, of the above two, are they sensible, which would be the better option?

 

[vickster]

Spend £28 joining British Cycling and perhaps save another 10% at Halfords? A year membership

I had two Sirruses (a 2010 Sport and a 2011 Elite which replaced the stolen sport), so higher specced with carbon fork and I found them very uninspiring to ride and got rid of the Elite within 6 months. My personal view, others like them

Boardmans are popular and good vfm spec wise while you tend to get lesser components with Specialized and indeed Trek but you'll get a better frame it seems

You''ll want to confirm that any bike will take your weight. From a conversation recently, some bikes have a weight limit of 110kg but that's mainly due to the wheels

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I'm opposite to Vickster. I have a Sirrus Elite 2013 model and love it, it is a brilliant bike. I am just upgrading the wheels after damaging the rear wheel on a pothole, though I have had over 5,000 miles out of the stock wheels.

 

[BrynCP]

Thanks. A lot of the local bike shops to be honest seem to be selling rather rubbish bikes, at decent bike prices.

My local Halfords also seem to have the Boardman Hybrid Comp at £449 (which is not what the website says : £499), with 10% off that would be just over £400 which could be a decent price if they honour it. The Crossfire 3 seemed a bit heavy, although not sure for my usage that matters.

You''ll want to confirm that any bike will take your weight. From a conversation recently, some bikes have a weight limit of 110kg but that's mainly due to the wheels

It seems Halfords say theirs are all suitable up to 120KG. Specialized appear to be similar except on the road bikes.

 

[evo456]

If you intend to ride through winter, you'll need to factor in the other areas of cycling in the budget, safety high vis, locks, lights, thermal some spares and tools. I started out similar, having not ridden a while since teens- I started with a bike that didn't cost a lot just to see how I get on, eventually I did -which was for me a good reason to reward myself an upgrade when I reached my targets. The Carerras are solid bikes if setup right, of course you can still take it to any lbs afterwards for repairs and services.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would take the Sirrus over the Boardman any day even if it was the more expensive option.
I brought a Sirrus for my father and its an outstanding bike, its forgiving, easy to ride, comfortable and rides exceptionally well.
The frame on the Boardman hybrid frame just does not compare, it features less complience and is characterless.

The Boardman Hybrid is a good bike for the price.. The Sirrus is a good bike!

 

[Kies]

Siruus Elite 2012 here. Has done commuting with panniers. Canal rides. A bit of mtb off roading. Fast commuting without panniers and skinny (23c) road tyres.
My go to bike - can't imagine the boardman being close imo

 

[vickster]

The Elite is a different beast to the entry level, although the Boardman doesn't have carbon fork either

I'd look for a second hand higher specced Sirrus with carbon fork, bar ends and better groupset

 

[drewc65]

I ride a sirrus. Use it to commute and just about anything else. The only fault I found with it were the pedals but other than that fitted a rack and panniers and it does what it says on the tin. I got mine from Evans in Bristol and find them very helpful

 

[ShipHill]

I come in at 115kg in my rather smelly stockinged feet and I ride a Boardman Hybrid Comp and it takes my weight no problem. Even when my rucksack is full of biccies on the way to work.

Word of warning if you buy one from Halfords. I think a shaved chimp put mine together and checked it over. It didn't worry me too much because a couple of guys at work are sh*t hot with cycles so they set it up for me. Having said that, my local Halfords spanner guy is pretty good. I bought the bike from a different branch.

 

[HLaB]

11-32 chainset on the Boardman, you'll be spinning a lot if you take that option
Typo aside, I'd guess the Boardman will be better VfM but there's a good chance it'll be put together by muppets, less so (but not impossible) by a lbs.
FWIW, I loved my sirrus (an 06 Sports) and the gears suited me but they've down geared it in later versions but probably because that is universally more popular.

 

[Rasmus]

I have a Sirrus Sport 2014. Really happy with the frame and wheels are good too, but they scrimped a bit too much on the brakes. I'll probably wear them out over the winter and upgrade to some better ones.

Agree with HLaB that the gearing is low, but that's perfectly fine for my urban commute.