Whats better suited to my needs?!

[zoso7]

Specialized Sirrus Sport
http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_specialized_Sirrus_sport_p/09sirrusport.htm

Giant Defy
http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Giant_Defy_p/2009defy4.htm

I'm wanting to get into cycling again and not quite sure which type of bike is more suited to my needs.

These are 2 bikes i'm considering but not dead set on.

I would hazard a guess and say that 95% of my riding will be done on the road with the other 5% maybe being along a canal path or a very light gravel path, I want to be able to get upto a good speed on the roads and i believe both these bikes will do that but i suppose my main concern is, will the Giant be capable away from the road like the specialized, which will be more competent?!

Do you think I would be better suited to the road specific Giant or the flat bar road/hybrid Specialized? I have never riden a drop bar bike before but the Giant has a compact, more relaxed geometry which i think i will adapt to.

I will only be using this a few nights a week and for a loop at the weekends, perhaps upto 20 miles maybe more dependent on progress, to get my fitness up a little and loose some weight.

Any info is much appreciated.

 

[HJ]

I would suggest that you find a shop that will let you test ride both bikes and go for that most comfortable. There is a lot of snobbish rubbish about drop bars promoted by some people on here, don't feel that you have to have drop bar to ride on the road just because a few roadies say so.

 

[HJ]

Oh and once you have decided, why not join us on a Central Scotland Forum ride

 

[Scoosh]

I would suggest that you find a shop that will let you test ride both bikes and go for that most comfortable. There is a lot of snobbish rubbish about drop bars promoted by some people on here, don't feel that you have to have drop bar to ride on the road just because a few roadies say so.

+1

Definitely go round the shops and explain what you want to do, what your budget is (very important - and you might want to allow yourself an extra £50-100 for other stuff, clothes, shoes etc), then ask for test rides on the bikes they suggest. You will find the flat barred/hybrid type of bike more stable and probably more comfortable at first but with a little practice, you will be as comfy on the drop barred bike too (after you get over the 'wobbles' ). Make sure your test ride is more than just 'round the block' - it may take you that long just to get used to the gear changes! Half an hour should do it.

Drop bars will probably be faster, while a flat barred bike has a more upright position. Your choice.

 

[Scoosh]

Oh and once you have decided, why not join us on a Central Scotland Forum ride

... where you might get to meet the infamous magnatom, of this forum

 

[magnatom]

I'm still waiting for you to ask for my autograph!

 

[HJ]

Drop bars will probably be faster, while a flat barred bike has a more upright position. Your choice.

Does that include going up hills, Scoosh

 

[Scoosh]

Does that include going up hills, Scoosh

To borrow the song:
"Just you wait, Hairy Jockins,
just you wait"



Secret weapon soon to arrive

 

[willem]

The crucial variable is tyre clearance. The Giant has shallow drop racing brakes and will not allow anything fatter than 25 mm (without mudguards) and that is not enough for canal paths etc. The usable minimum would be an audax style bike, i.e. a bike that looks like a racing bike, but with a more relaxed frame and 57 mm drop brakes. This allows you tyres up to about 30 mm, with mudguards. This kind of bike is also suitable for credit card touring, but not really for camping (unless you go ultralight)
One type sturdier but also a bit slower is the traditional UK drop bar touring bike such as the immortal Dawes Galaxy. Such bikes have cantilever (or sometimes now v brakes) allowing tyres up to often something like 37 mm (and thus perform better on to bad roads and gravel paths), and serious touring lugagge. These bikes are even more versatile, but they are obviously not as fast and not as much fun when ridden unladen.
One level sturdier and more off road capable would be a 26 inch tourer, such as the Thorn Sherpa. These allow you to fit 50 mm mtb size tyres, available from ultra sturdy (Marathon XR) to ultra fast (e.g. Schwalbe Kojak) and much in between (such as the wonderfully fast and comfortable Schwalbe Big Apple).
So it really is up to you yourself to decide what you fancy doing, but remember cycling has changed. There are now so many more cars, and they drive so much faster, that minor/bad road capability has become very important if you want to enjoy the riding.
Willem

 

[HJ]

As someone who only has one bike for all use, I can tell you that you don't need 30mm + tyres to ride on canal paths etc, I find that 25mm GatorSkins are fine, and the number of cars on the roads has nothing to do with bike choice...