I'm looking to start biking to work since there's a nice, mostly flat 5-mile bike path between my home and office. I've seen a bunch of hardtails for sale in local Facebook groups, but after doing some research and comparisons, I'm leaning more toward a street-oriented bike.
Right now, my top picks are the Specialized Sirrus 5.0 and the Cube Nulane C:62 SLT—both have carbon frames and are incredibly light. I could literally curl them one-handed. Whether that translates to better road performance, I’m not entirely sure, but it definitely feels like a plus.
One potential downside to the Cube is that its rear derailleur is electronic and needs a battery. I’m not sure how often it needs to be charged, which could be a hassle. That said, I really like the goblin/black color—it looks awesome.
As backups, I’m considering the Specialized Sirrus X 4.0 EQ and the Compel XRC 1500, since they already come with all the bells and whistles installed. For a shorter, flat commute like mine, there's also a used Ghost Kato EQ for €350. It’s a hardtail with bigger, knobbier tires and a front fork, and I’m unsure how much that would slow down or make the commute less comfy.
Part of me feels like if I spend a bit more, I’ll be more committed to riding regularly.
If anyone has any feedback, personal experiences, or suggestions, I’d really appreciate it!
by sandman3k
1 Comment
Do you really need carbon? That Sirrus X 4.0 EQ is a way more versatile bike. If I’m buying a commuter, I’d want fenders and rack mounts. The carbon Sirrus doesn’t have a seat post collar or rack mounts on the top of the seat stays.
Sirrus X 4.0 EQ > anything else