Specialised Sirrus X2 or 3

[jawj.howard]

Hi everyone,

I rode a lot a while ago, but had to sell my mountain bike 5 years ago and have only just got to buying something new! I'm looking for a hybrid, preferably with some limited off-tarmac ability, mostly for commuting but also pleasure riding, no crazy technical trails or anything like that. I like in East Anglia, so generally pretty flat terrain, although I'd want the ability to get up hills without dying on the way up!

I've found the Sirrus X2 or 3, both in my frame size (XL for my height, 6'2") although I'm not sure about which to aim for. The X2 is £650 with a 1x8, while the X3 is £850 but a 1x10. I'm not sure whether I should go for the X3 now, as I don't mind putting in some extra cash now if it'll pay off later, but I've never ridden a non-mountain bike let along with anything more than a 3x8 and I'm not sure if I'd actually need the extra gears or not especially with the extra cost.

Any advice gratefully recevied, as I have no idea which would be the best choice!

 

[vickster]

Gearing aside are they identical, eg fork material?

 

[jawj.howard]

Apart from slighter better compnents on the X3, yep.

 

[vickster]

I'd go for the 10 speed, but bear in mind that you tend to get poorer components on a Specialized compared to some of the smaller / lesser known brands - look at equivalent bikes from Boardman, Merida, Whyte, Ridgeback etc (although availability of new bikes is poor right now)

 

[T4tomo]

defo 10 speed on a 1x single chainring, reduces the big jumps between gears.