specialized bikes

[jan19]

hello everyone

I posted some months back about my difficulty in finding a new bike. I need a hybrid type bike as I mainly cycle along roads (to work) or along gravel type tracks.

My big problem is I'm only 5 foot tall and I really want a light bike that I can fit mudguards to.

Evans are selecting me a Specialized Globe Sport to try but I can't find any website which reviews it. They told me it was British but my research says its American.

Thorn has been suggested but that's maybe a dream for the future


Can anyone tell me what they think of Specialized? Please ...

[Paul Smith SRCC]

hello everyone. I posted some months back about my difficulty in finding a new bike. I need a hybrid type bike as I mainly cycle along roads (to work) or along gravel type tracks.My big problem is I'm only 5 foot tall and I really want a light bike that I can fit mudguards to.
Evans are selecting me a Specialized Globe Sport to try but I can't find any website which reviews it. They told me it was British but my research says its American. Thorn has been suggested but that's maybe a dream for the future.Can anyone tell me what they think of Specialized? Please ...

Specialized are American owned, they also do all design, research and development in America, more so than probably any other company from any country, with the possible exception of Trek; the bikes are manufactured in East Asia, arguably the world leaders for cycle manufacture and have been for the last 5-10 years.

Their Globe is essentially a hybrid with large tyres and reasonably upright position that will take guards and pannier rack, for commuting they also have a Globe City range that may be worth considering. It will indeed allow you to cycle "along gravel type tracks".

They also have their Sirrus range which although still often described as a hybrid are actually a more focused road bike than their Globe range, although the tracks will need to be hard pack with non technical surface for the Sirrus range to be considered for regular use. Again these can take guards and a pannier rack, although they do not offer this range already set up like that, as they do with the Globe City models.

Many buy the Sirrus as a commute bike, it has a set up more condusive to mile eating road miles than their Globe range, although I repeat it will depend on the frequency and quality of the tracks you intend to use. All will be availble for someone your size, although you may find it a bit more difficult to find one on display anywhere to try

Paul_Smith
www.bikeplus.co.uk

[lauriematt]

i own a Specialised Sirrus...

its great for commuting round town but also for longer distances

i cycle 20miles daily to & from college on country roads and through town.
ive had replaced the tyres with narrower ones to quicken the bike a little!

on the whole its a great bike, really good quality, great riding position (though sometimes sitting upright catches the wind on a windy day),with spares easily available if ever anything goes wrong!!

[peterbayliss]

I own a Specialized Globe and use it for commuting to Uni; I find it ideal for my cycle path + road commute. The 700c wheel size I found better than mountain bike size on my previous bike as they go over pot holes and bumps more smoothly. The hybrid desing aslo means you are sat more upright which helps you to see/ be seen in traffic.

One of my friends had a Sirrus before selling it for a road bike; it’s a bit faster than the Globe being more road bike like but also more expensive.

I would say they are both good communting bikes, try them fist and see which you prefer and check the fit well.

[glueman]

Most bikes come with 170mm cranks. At 5ft they WILL be too long for you whatever propaganda you're fed. Try to find a bike with shorter cranks (if you can) or get a bike shop to fit them for you. Shimano used to do a reasonably priced 160? for teenagers bikes and may still do.

Islabikes are the nearest thing size wise to what you want and have smaller cranks, brake levers, etc. I believe they are bringing out a specific small adults bike at the end of the summer which may suit you perfectly.

[jan19]

thank you for your replies. I'm aware that because of my height, the word "choice" isn't that appropriate, its more what I can fit!

I bought the "Globe" - it seems to fit me quite well, as I like to be in a fairly upright position. So far, it and I are doing ok. Its much much lighter than my old bike, even with mudguards and a pannier rack fitted. I've cycled to work all this week and am enjoying the added manoevrabilty over my old bike, and I absolutely adore the rapid fire gears ( I had twist grip before). I think I'm going a bit faster too, although speed isn't really the issue.

Anyway, somebody on this post said that the right bike is the one you use, so from that point of view I think this bike and I are going to do fine.