This compared to a sirrus sport

[The Jogger]

How would this compare to a sirrus sport? Would it be much between the two speed wise or anything else wise? I'm just waiting on my C2W vouchers and am set for another sirrus (right size this time) but the ridgeback has all the bits for my commute but would it be good to ride the country roads on my day off, which are hilly around here.

http://www.thetristore.com/view_product.asp?product=2007&brand=63&make=Ridgeback

Cheers
Jogger

 

[HLaB]

Ive got the Ridgeback Velocity (the model above the Comet I think) and its a good fast well handling bike. Although my commute is very short. Ive also got a Sirrus Sports '06 which in my opinion is far superior to the Ridgeback far lighter and narrower tyres being the big difference. Over a longer distance you'll apprecciate the Sirrus more IMO.

 

[The Jogger]

Thanks HLab, do you take the sirrus on tow paths?

 

[HLaB]

Thanks HLab, do you take the sirrus on tow paths?

Some times but there isn't really a need or a desire to do it often.

 

[The Jogger]

I know what you mean

 

[peanut]

How would this compare to a sirrus sport? Would it be much between the two speed wise or anything else wise? I'm just waiting on my C2W vouchers and am set for another sirrus (right size this time) but the ridgeback has all the bits for my commute but would it be good to ride the country roads on my day off, which are hilly around here.

http://www.thetristore.com
/view_product.asp?product=2007&brand=63&make=Ridgeback

Cheers
Jogger

honestly ? its very poor quality .
Its got Hi-ten steel forks which alone would weigh more than my whole bike.
Its got the nastiest cheapest rubbish components I have ever seen on any bike.
The tyres are 37c which would be fine for an off road mud bath .
The whole bike would probably weigh around 26lbs+ which will make it very awkward to lift and manoever.
need I go on ?
Why would you prefer this over a Sirrus which has much better components frame and fork ? to save £30 or £40 quid ?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/sirrus-sport-2009-road-bike-ec016919
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Sirrus-2009-Hybrid-Sports-Bike_20960.htm

 

[HLaB]

honestly ? utter carp.
Its got Hi-ten steel forks which alone would weigh more than my whole bike.
Its got the nastiest cheapest rubbish components I have ever seen on any bike.
The tyres are 37c which would be fine for an off road mud bath .
The whole bike would probably weigh around 26lbs+ which will make it very awkward to lift and manoever.
need I go on ?
If you want to throw away £300 throw it my way I could do with a new frame

I'd agree with fork stuff, my velocity has got Cro Moly forks an I think it is heavy.

The tyres conti contacts are actually suprising effective for wide tyres on road, mine are only just begining to show wear after over 6000 miles, I'll probably replace them soon with the same make but probably narrower tyres, say 32mm for the Edinburgh potholes

Components wise my Velocity has got similar and whilst they're not the best they do the job fine for me.

If I had the choice so I still say the Spesh is head and shoulders above and would opt for it.

 

[The Jogger]

Spesh it is then, not trying to save money, just curious.

 

[N1ck]

what about a Sirrus sport compared to a Ridgeback Flight 01 ?

 

[HLaB]

what about a Sirrus sport compared to a Ridgeback Flight 01 ?

I've never ridden the Flight 01 but one thing that stand out to me is its gearing (30/42/52) my old Sirrus Sport '06 has this gearing and I really like it, it can fairly motor, the new sirrus has a 28/38/48 and would be a little undergeared for my liking. The Ridgeback has a set back seat post the Sirrus doesn't've no idea what effect that has. To my untrained eye other than that they look broadly similar spec wise.

 

[peanut]

what about a Sirrus sport compared to a Ridgeback Flight 01 ?

it would be helpful if you could include a link in your post N1ck to the Ridgeback you were considering

These makes often have 5- 8 different model specs.

Welcome to the forums by the way

 

[peanut]

what about a Sirrus sport compared to a Ridgeback Flight 01 ?

it would be helpful if you could include a link in your post N1ck to the Ridgeback you were considering

These makes often have 5- 8 different model specs.

Welcome to the forums by the way

 

[peanut]

This sort of question comes up time and time again and the answer is nearly always the same.
At this sort of pricing level at the very bottom of the market there is very little to chose between any of these entry level bikes.
They will be assembled out of the cheapest low end components that bike manufactures or shops can source.
The retailer will need some profit and enough to pay costs for assembly etc and some element for administration, servicing overheads etc etc .

How much of your £300 do you think there is left for the bike after that is all deducted ?

Its really worth paying an extra £50.00 at this level as the benefits far outweigh the small cost.

Try to buy with at least alloy forks it will save a lot of weight.

Look carefully at the choice of gear levers offered. Try various gear setups out ,get it wrong and it will be a constant source of discomfort and agravation.(I've always thought that I would like twist grip gears on a hybrid but I've never tried them.)

Think carefully about how much time you will be riding of different surfaces. There is no point in buying a bike with fat off road tyres if you will be spending less than 40% of your time off road riding. Get some 28c tyres which will be a good compromise for road and off road .

Borrow some bike magazines. They are full of reviews of tons of bikes every week/month and a good source of information and advice.

My personal choice would always be buy a used bike in good condition .You could get a £500-£600 bike for £300.00 have no depreciation and have a much better quality bike.

 

[N1ck]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/flight-01-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017056?query=Ridgeback

Here is a link to the bike i mentioned.

 

[peanut]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/flight-01-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017056?query=Ridgeback

Here is a link to the bike i mentioned.

Mmm looks like a pretty reasonable spec for the money. I see it has a carbon fork which is exceptional for this price range. The components are named and although bottom of the range look reasonable enough . The tyres are a good compromise for a hybrid.

The trouble is Although i know it will probably do all you want adequately for a year or so, if you develop some interest in cycling sooner than later you are going to realise that the bike is not really suitable for off road and a compromise for regular road use .

You will want to upgrade.
You will then find that the market is flooded with thousands of these bikes being given away for less than a 1/4 their original purchase price because, like exercise bikes, people tire of the initial novelty and you'll struggle to sell it .Can you afford to pay £400 and walk out of the shop with a bike worth little more than £150 on the open market ?

If you want something suitable for a short commute workdays and a bit of cycle path /canal path riding weekends this will probably do fine. Personally I would buy a good used, better quality bike and use the £150 saved to buy a decent saddle, shorts, jerseys,jacket, mitts, helmet,tubes and tools etc