Bicycle People... What's the best commuter style bicycle?

OK, you made me go look at the build spec of the Sirrus 3. What components, exactly, are you saying are "quality"?

Look at the Poseidon X. For $600 new, you get Advent X and a carbon fork. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes work just as well as their $25 bargain basement hydro brakes used on the Sirrus 3.0. Used closer to $400.

Walk in the park to find another brand with better build specs. That's just the first one I looked at.

 

Somewhat close to you - https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3861980/
Similar used listed in SLC at $400, meaning an easy $300 would take it.
2x8 rather than 2x9, but the same 11-34 cassette and 30/46 double, so no change in range. Just one less "tweener" cog.

This is easy.

 

If not an E-bike, check out Trek DS3. Love mine.

 

All good, man. I did miss your requirements for 3.0 and non-X. That's on me.

However, help me understand why the 3.0 and non-X spec is a must? In looking at the spec between the 2.0 X and the 3.0 non-X the biggest differences I spot are:

- 3.0 non-X has carbon fork (versus steel fork on 2.0 X) , 2-piece crank (versus 3 piece square taper on the 2.0 X), and 2x9 drivetrain (earlier you said you didn't want to bother with a front derailleur, which the 2.0 X doesn't have)

Honestly, in my experience, as a cyclist and having worked in the industry, those are non-critical spec. If you want to get riding, the Sirrus X 2.0 is a great way to get rolling and if you can find one locally, even better!

 

Good point, looking at the 3.0 and 2.0 specs side-by-side the 3.0 does have a carbon fork (missed that earlier), but same frame, same wheels and tires (nitpick the 2.0 is schrader valve and 3.0 presta, but that is a nothingburger), same cockpit, same pedals. The brakes themselves are a wash. The 2.0 has 160 discs listed front and rear while the 3.0 has a 140 listed for the rear. Drivetrain the 2.0 has the microshift 8, cassette is 11-32 while the 3.0 is microshift 9 with the 11-34 cassette. The crank like you said is 2 piece vs 3 piece, which for this kind of bike is meaningless. The same chaingrings.
The 2.0's MAP is $399.99, the 3.0's MAP is $949.99.
There is literally zero reason for this big of a spread. For the $550 difference, get the 2.0 all day, every damned day. You can swap that over to a single ring 12 speed drivetrain and a carbon fork for half that difference.

 

Oh Brex.... I started running through every detail of each bike you suggested and it's just exhausting and I'll wrap it up to say "no". I don't need to prove to you that those bikes aren't the same/better/in the same class as what I'm looking for. Feel free to say you're right or something and you don't have to visit this thread anymore because you're not helping. Have a nice day.

 

It's not that a 3.0 or higher or a non-X is a "must", but it is what I'd prefer. Considering I'm buying a bike for myself, I think that's fair. I know I'm not going to take the bike even semi-off-road, and while I did earlier say I would be open to not having a front derailleur, it seems if I'm using the bike solely for commuting on streets I'd rather go lightweight, more gears.

To be even more real, a bike itself isn't necessary at all, haha. So when anyone says "oh well you don't really need that one upgrade", they're right, but I'm still allowed to want it and get it. Is a carbon fork "necessary"? Of course not. But I want one. I'd rather go used and get all the options I want than new and missing the "want" mark.

For me, the Sirrus 3.0 is more specifically designed for my intended use than say the similarly optioned Sirrus X 3.0 (has a carbon fork, etc). Even the stock tires are slightly different on the X versions and less conducive to my commuting preferences of having a smoother / narrower / faster tire.

There's a million used (and new) bikes for sale all around me in LA. I'm not looking to just get into whatever gets me rolling the quickest, but rather something that I like that does the job I want it to do very well for the price I can afford. I'm not convinced there's no other bike that can do it besides the Sirrus, but having looked over a ton of them, it's the best match I've found.

 

You're right, a total newcomer knows far more than someone who has been in the world for decades, racing and owns a shop.
Your complete and utter cluelessness on the topic is blatantly obvious.

Good for you, stick to your guns.

I hope you feel the same when a newb comes into the mv shop and tells you they are getting a scooter from China instead because they know it's better.

 

I know a lot of people who've done their profession for many years and they're still idiots. I'm not saying you are, I don't know you; but doing something a long time doesn't just automatically make you a genius in your field. I do applaud you hating on me for not taking your advice that I should get a bike I don't want. Bravo.

 

Yep, like people that actually sell mv motorcycles. Clearly don't know what they're doing.

 

Some pics of what I'm hoping to pick up next weekend. Specialized Sirrus 6.0 w/ SRAM Eagle AXS wireless shifting! Necessary? Obviously not. But why not if the price is right.

Note: Brex, you're on ignore so I can't see any of your comments, but feel free to hate or talk to yourself if it helps you make it through the day.

 

I bought a Yamaha Wabash gravel bike, I only use the battery assist on uphills, haha.

 

Hot damn, that escalated quickly... $500 CL bike to... Eagle AXS! Nice choice.

 

You seem awfully salty at someone writing out long posts to try to help inform your decision. Maybe a little humility would be better served in this instance. You don’t have to take the advice…

 

Ok

Not salty at all and excited to get a bike next weekend hopefully. Just did a fun ride thru Hollywood where they close the roads called Ciclavia.

That said, just because someone writes long posts or wants to help or (you missed this part) decides to tell me I’m looking at the wrong bikes and I should buy a bike they recommend instead otherwise I’m an idiot…

then no, I don’t need to be humble or compassionate toward whatever they’re going through. Even if they own a race shop.

As I mentioned in another post up further, I’m allowed to ask questions, do research, and come to my own conclusions about what I want, what I’d simply prefer, and that I’m not going to entertain people that wish to tell me that what I want is not what I want.

That’s just silly.

But back to your point, it is just annoying. I don’t think about any of this except when I read new comments like yours about it. Which are extra odd because you’re not even participating in the topic, just popping in to give me advice about how you think I should behave.

Oh the beeb…

Anyway, ride my partner’s new Sirrus X 4.0 today as well as about 10 other bikes from friends at the event and still hyped about potentially getting the Sirrus 6.0.

 

Why do bicycles that are supposed to be comfortable use a straight handle bar that put your wrists at an odd angle? I find drop bars with my hands on the hoods much more comfortable.

 

Believe it or not, I much prefer flat bars.

Only thing is about twice an hour I have to ride no hands so my tingly fingers go away.

 

I rode a flat bar bike about 13-14 miles yesterday and I didn’t notice any discomfort or unnatural feeling with the position. I think it lends a bit more elbows out form than drop bars which I could see adding arm fatigue over long distance that people like to do with road bikes. I’m just commuting in town though, so I don’t see it as an issue.
I’m not considering drop bars because I like my hands up top and I don’t want to move them to shift and brake. Just a preference of mine, not saying one is “better”.

 

@LukeLucky I like some sweep in my flat bars, somewhere between 12-15deg usually. The aforementioned "Dad Bike" has these bars for multiple hand positions:



Other bikes have these:




There are options out there.

-Tom

 

I might definitely consider these, but I'll give the stock ones a ride or two to see how it feels. I think the shock seat post will likely happen unless the seat that's on there is super comfy, but I'm betting it's not intended for comfort.