This is a funny question for me to ask seeing I just got my upgrade a month ago. I had my parents 1980's hydrib which was OK, but just got the Specialized Sirrus base model.
I've taken 3 "longer" distance rides on it - 14 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles, and am now just beginning to rate the bike, something difficult to do at a bike shop and with a test ride. I am not a speed demon, but seem to be able to average around 17mph over these distance in an area with varying amounts of sloping hills and not too many extended flat zones.
I'm feeling some frame flex, something I never noticed before on other bikes. Nothing alarming, but for me a weird feeling. I added lights and am beginning to enjoy night riding, although here near Boston the potholes are horrible after the harsh winter we had, and that presents problems at night when going close to 20mph.
So here I am, really liking the bike, but already thinking long term. Funds was a factor in spending $480 on the bike and not more, although after adding other equipment it ran close to $700 anyways (upgrade pedals, lights, bag, pump, tool kit, spare tube). So I figure if I'm going to log in around 100 miles per week I'm already wondering if I should have spent more money on things like disc brakes, lighter frame, better components. The shop had the $1,100 Sirrus model (I think Elite), but since I don't plan on racing competitively I balked. Yet, I feel I ride "hard" compared to the general public out for leisure. I've already sped past those on their speed bikes with their biking regalia on (I do have bike shorts for padding but just wear a t-shirt), so that gives me this false sense of being a more aggressive rider.
Am I just caught in an equipment bug wanting more, or are their legitimate reasons to maybe stretch the wallet due to riding style?
I've taken 3 "longer" distance rides on it - 14 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles, and am now just beginning to rate the bike, something difficult to do at a bike shop and with a test ride. I am not a speed demon, but seem to be able to average around 17mph over these distance in an area with varying amounts of sloping hills and not too many extended flat zones.
I'm feeling some frame flex, something I never noticed before on other bikes. Nothing alarming, but for me a weird feeling. I added lights and am beginning to enjoy night riding, although here near Boston the potholes are horrible after the harsh winter we had, and that presents problems at night when going close to 20mph.
So here I am, really liking the bike, but already thinking long term. Funds was a factor in spending $480 on the bike and not more, although after adding other equipment it ran close to $700 anyways (upgrade pedals, lights, bag, pump, tool kit, spare tube). So I figure if I'm going to log in around 100 miles per week I'm already wondering if I should have spent more money on things like disc brakes, lighter frame, better components. The shop had the $1,100 Sirrus model (I think Elite), but since I don't plan on racing competitively I balked. Yet, I feel I ride "hard" compared to the general public out for leisure. I've already sped past those on their speed bikes with their biking regalia on (I do have bike shorts for padding but just wear a t-shirt), so that gives me this false sense of being a more aggressive rider.
Am I just caught in an equipment bug wanting more, or are their legitimate reasons to maybe stretch the wallet due to riding style?