help please! Specialized Tricross 2012 or Sirrus Elite 2013 for commuting 10 miles but uphill on way

[David B London]

Hi, I am a relatively new commuter having been cycling for leisure for a few years on an old Crossroads(2005!) and am fed up with the tube and my lack of fitness I have decided to commute on a daily basis. I have been using my trusty steed for a few weeks to ensure that I like it and have fallen in love with cycling!!
Its hard going home uphill so am thinking of upgrading my bike to something that can hold a pannier and mudguards but can handle the hills and be fun. .My budget is around £600 and my LBS has come up with 2 options which appeal. The Sirrus has Tiagra gears and the Tricross has 2300s...would it make much of a difference? I fancy drops but will I actually use them? I end up on some rough paths and have to occasionally go on and off kerbs to avoid hazards so thought Tricross would be bettere for that....any advice would be greatly appreciated as buying the wrong bike would be a costly error!!!

 

[David B London]

I meant to say uphill on way home!

 

[Markymark]

I have a Sirrus Sport and its great for my 10mile each way London commute. I do have the odd kerb in/out of the park but they're dropped kerbs and its fine.

 

[vickster]

I am not sure hills are ever fun Lighter bikes are easier on hills...Sirrus and Tricross are pretty similar other than bars and tyres...they may even have the same frame!

 

[Kies]

I have an elite - cheaper than a tricross, and able to take a range of tyres, currently on 23c road tyres (28c over winter)

 

[David B London]

thanks for the advice...no hills are never easy and was almost tempted to go electric when a granny overtook me on a long incline!!
my lbs is offering me a 2012 Tricross at the same price as the Elite...so do I go for what seems to be a better deal or a more appropriate bike? the Elite has Tiagra gears over 2300s does that make a difference?...I think I am going a bit bonkers trying to work out what to do

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

The triple ring on the Tricross will make a big difference on hills.

 

[fossala]

Just for commuting, I would go for the Sirrus and try to get a good deal online. If you feel like you may want to start going more than the 10miles to work, I would go the tricross.

You could think about other makes other than specalized as they are normally quite expensive for what you get.

 

[vickster]

The 2300 hundred gearing is entry level and marmite like with the thumb button. You can't benchmark cost on a flatbar vs drops on groupset alone as sti shifters and brakes cost much more than trigger shifters and bar mounted brakes. Ride them and see which is better for you

You may find a better deal online but Specialized prices seem to be pretty well regulated by the UK distributor

 

[David B London]

tbh I like the warranty with Specialized and I was so happy with my Crossroads until my needs changed that I do feel comfortable with that brand. It seems that Specialized prices are fixed so I doubt I can get a better deal unless I completely change the brand of bike I will go for...I think that the advice of trying them out will help me a lot...just go to wait for a dry day I guess!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I have the Sirrus Elite and regularly do 50-60 mile round trip commutes on it. It is a great commuter bike.

 

[Wolfy]

I also have a Sirrus Elite, had it two years, do a daily commute to work of 20 miles, done nearly 2,500 miles on it, fantastic bike, wouldn't part with it!

 

[Kies]

The sirrius elite is my go to bike for commuting (44 mile round trip), leisurely trips along the canal, getting dirty in the woods or popping down the pub for a few pints with the lads. I have never needeed the granny ring,but it's nice to have it there,just incase

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Beg pardon, I didn't realise the Sirrus had a granny ring too. Tough choice

 

[David B London]

Thanks again - seems the sirrus is getting a general nod......just to confuse matters a friend was advising me to get a Ribble winter trainer instead of either........now that has thrown me entirely!