Well, it’s been about a year and 3000 miles later that I have been using my 2012 Specialized Sirrus Limited. For those that don’t know, this is a carbon bike in a hybrid format (flat bar). It is also my first carbon bike and so far I love it. I have not made any changes to the components other that the pedals. Oh, yes I also changed out the tires to Maxxis Re-Fuse within two weeks after getting the bike. OK, one more change is in the Saddle. I now use the ISM Adamo saddle. Other than that, everything else is stock. Oh, shoot, just read the article and find out!

I’m not going to bore you with component specs (I’ll bore you some other way) as I’m not a component junkie as many cyclist are. If you are interested, go to Specialized website and check it out. The link is to their archives for that bike. I think the 2013 model is pretty much the same. Not sure about that though, you will need to take a look and see for yourself. The Specialized website says this about the frame:

Specialized FACT 8r carbon, FACT IS construction, compact race design w/ Zertz inserts, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ head tube, threaded BB

What ever that means. I just like it.

Initially I was hesitant in getting a carbon frame bike because of my size and weight, but after watching some videos of a guy rock hopping on his carbon road bike, I figure to give it a try. So far so good! I’ve lost some weight since getting it and I’m no longer concerned about it.

Compared to its siblings (Sirrus Elite that I upgraded from), the ride is very smooth especially on chip seal roads that are in abundance down here. I haven’t ridden other carbon bikes to compare it to mine, but I can say it’s NOT a bone jarring, teeth rattling experience on those roads.

It is a flat bar bike and to most hard-core cyclists don’t like it. They want the drops so they can drop down into that aerodynamic position in hopes breaking land speed records. Just kidding guys and gals! I know speed is a big thrill factor for many cyclists and that’s their thing, but not mine. Sure I like to go fast and many times I’m clicking away at 18-19 mph and I’m happy with that. Occasionally I’ll push it to 22-23 mph with a good tail wind!

My primary reason in getting this bike is for exercising and building strength and endurance for long rides. It’s also fun just to bike around town on too. I rarely do any club rides and I got tired of using the drop bars, so this time I wanted a bike with a little more upright profile and this bike provides that. I can take it easy on neighborhood rides to fast and nimble on busy city streets or long and hard on long quiet country roads.

I take my bike every where I can, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi are some of the places I’ve ridden at. I even had a small wipe out on one of the Ciclistas Urbanos weekend rides. After inspecting the bike, the handlebar extender grip was roughed up a little bit. Other than that, the bike was fine.

There are no eyelets for any racks and a clamp on post rack is not recommended. That means a backpack if I want to carry anything of significance. That’s fine. I still got my other bike to handle that chore if the need arises.

After one year of use, I had all the cabling readjusted to eliminate cable stretch plus the chain also needed to be replaced too. Who knew that the chain will stretch that much in one year! I let the LBS take care of that chore.

Me being a bigger and heavier guy, I thought I would have wheel problems, but in reality I didn’t. Never had a spoke break on me and wheels stayed true for the most part. I think I had the rear wheel trued only twice in the year that I’ve had the bike. That’s about on par with my older bike, so I’m pleased with it.

Brakes and shifting has been solid. I like the solid click the shifter make going to a harder gear. Shifting back to easier gears has a spongy feel to it, but I got used to it quickly. Although, I sometimes overshoot gears while dropping down, but it’s at a minimal.

The saddle that came with it was also pretty good. It’s a stock Specialized Body Geometry Targa Comp saddle that I went several thousand miles on it before I switched it out for the current ISM Adamo saddle. I don’t for see me changing it out anytime soon.

I added a Topeak BarXtender to the handlebar to carry my lights and a camera if the mood strikes me. It’s easier to do it that way and not directly on the handle bar. It seems kind of crowded on the handle bar plus it is thicker in the middle, then tapers off outwards and that makes it difficult to mount gear on it. I like this set up better as the T-Bar can be positioned as needed.

The bike is pretty much maintenance free. I do the chain and cassette cleaning as well as the bike wash and that is really all that has been needed.Trouble free is what I like.

As far as I know of, there are only two other cyclists that have bought the same model that I have and I’m not sure if they even live in the area. They may live in Mexico, but I’m not sure. I was the first one to buy it at the Bicycle World in McAllen and I’ve been told that they have sold two others since then.

To sum things up, the 2012 Specialized Sirrus Limited hybrid bike has been a great buy for me and I would recommend it to others. It’s durable, lite, fun to ride, and many of my friends like the interleave look of the frame. Not to mention that it’s a smooth ride!

If others have bought the same bike drop me a line, I’d like to hear your thoughts about the bike.

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