Help matching bike bits

kg648 · 4 Oct 2011 at 18:45

Hi,

I will be getting a specialized sirrus 2012 next week http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/Detail/12sirrus/sirrus/Sirrus%20Elite

Specifically this one, I am getting some bits and bobs ready for when it arrives.

Firstly I want to get a few spare inner tubes since they are cheap ( unsure as to which ones I should be getting the specialized website does not appear to be overly helpful.

Also bottle holder do I either go for black or silver, I am half tempted to get a black one but then my other half is telling me to go for silver which would look best?

- lastly what is the difference between the specialized 5.0 and 6.0 is it just style? or are they different in size?

Hamster · 4 Oct 2011 at 22:06

Opinion on inner tubes is usually based on personal experience and mine is that Specialized tubes are good value when they're on offer. Cyclestore.co.uk have bulk buys on them and mine were £27 for 10 tubes.

The tyres on your bike are 700x28c (28mm width) so I'd go for 700x20/28 (meaning that they are designed for tyres between 20 and 28mm wide). Also depends if you're going to be changing tyres in the future. If you get thinner tyres for the road then those tubes will be perfect but if you want to get some wider knobblies for more traction then you may want to consider picking up a couple of 700x28/38 tubes. I go for the presta valves, 48mm valve lenth but always have a Schrader adapter screwed onto one valve just in case it's needed.

Personally I'd go for black but I don't really like the look of those cages. I prefer the rib cage to those. Have a look at Lezyne who do some pretty tasty looking accessories.

Have you got your other essentials i.e. multi-tool, puncture repair kit, pump etc?

touch · 4 Oct 2011 at 23:06

Get yourself some tyre levers and a pump as well, spare tubes will be useless without them

[DOD]Asprilla · 5 Oct 2011 at 08:34

When you say knobblies provide more traction, that's only on loose and bumpy surfaces. On road slicks provide maximum grip, even in the wet.

Hamster · 5 Oct 2011 at 14:47

[DOD]Asprilla;20226014 said:
When you say knobblies provide more traction, that's only on loose and bumpy surfaces. On road slicks provide maximum grip, even in the wet.

Yes I should have explained a bit more clearly. I meant improved traction for gravel/off-road surfaces