Specialized 2010 Vita Comp

[mtngoat]

Hello Everyone!

I am new on here so I hope I am posting in the right place.

I cannot find user reviews on the internet for the 2010 Specialized Vita Comp.
Also, I cannot find this bike to test ride in my area (North Suburbs of Denver, Colorado). I also went to a Specialized Concept Store (had to take almost an hour drive)- all they had was a plain Vita (lowest model). It was 'okay'.

Please can anyone tell me if you can feel a difference riding a plain Vita model vs. Vita Comp? I know the specs are different.

The Vita Comp has carbon in a couple places and gear ratio and components are different. Plus, there is around a $600 difference.

I do not like the Vita Elite color, if it were different I would be asking about this one because I like its gear ratio better for steep hills.
But I figure I can get the Vita Comp with a different cassette.

I love the color on the Vita Sport but then again I think it may ride like the bottom Vita model.

Plus, has anyone ridden one of these for long rides 40+ miles?

I am almost 50 and wanted something more upright but want to be able to roll pretty good on the roads. I have an old 1992 Trek 1420 road bike - still works but I can see by the bikes I tried out it is a bit outdated!

I tried out a Trek 7.5 FX - sorry, Trek ladies, it felt and looked 'cheap' compared to the Specialized. The welding of the frame did not look smooth.

I did try out the Specialized Dolce Sport and Comp. Love the Comp but I am really leaning towards flat handlebars and being more upright.

It just scares me about the price difference. It seems I have to order one since no one has it. To order one - I have to pay for it. I also was wondering why no one has one around here to try out.

I would really appreciate any help with this!

Thanks so much!

[gnat23]

OK, I've tried last year's Vita for a friend, and I can't remember which "type" it was, but I'm going to go off the Specialized website specs and see if I can't help you out.

Looks like the frames have the same geometry. If you liked your body position on the Vita, then you'll also like it on the Vita Comp.

I don't know what the difference is between the two types of aluminums on the bikes, I'm going to guess that the V.Comp is lighter and maybe stiffer. Stiff may sound bad but, on a bike, it's actually more efficient, so stiffer is *usually* better so long as it's comfortable.

Shifting: Vita uses Shimano Altus, V.Comp does Shimano Tiagra/105. You will likely find the shifting from one gear to another on the Comp smoother feeling and with less clunking noises.

Gearing: While both have triples (slightly different chainring sizes, but not that off), Vita is an 8-speed 11-32 (almost a mountain bike cassette?), V.Comp is a 9-speed 12-25. Technically, this makes the Vita have an "easier" easiest gear than the V.Comp, which might make it easier to go up hills except when you consider how much heaver the Vita will be than the Comp. These factors might cancel each other out, not sure. Not sure what your feelings on hills are like, but this is something to keep in mind. Yes, you can swap out the cassette on the Comp if you want to, but you'll likely *also* have to change the rear derailler at the same time to account for the distance.

Fork: Vita has aluminum, V.Comp has carbon/aluminum with Zerts. Theoretically, this combo on the Comp will be lighter and help absorb more rattle from the road.

Wheels: I'm not familiar with the Vita ones, the Alex rims, but the Comp's Mavics are pretty good. For tires: Vita has 700x32c wire bead, all-condition sport, V.Comp has 700x28c, kevlar bead, armadillos. The Comp tire is a little skinnier, lighter, and resists punctures (mine went almost 4000mi without a single flat). That being said, tires are easy to change out on any bike. Since tires and wheels have a lot of rotational momentum, the weight factor is huge here; not so much in how light the overall bike is, but in how much effort it takes to put and keep them in motion. A good stiff light wheel will feel like it's almost pulling you forward a bit.

Most of the other stuff is not that different or won't make much of a difference to your riding at this point.

Were it up to me and those were my two choices, I'd spring for the Vita Comp...but keep in mind that cycling is something I *really really really* love and plop a full wallet into the hobby as often as possible to make it as enjoyable as I can. I like to be comfortable and have reliable stuff and don't skimp. Others certainly feel different about it, so do with this information what you will. Another option is to go cheap for now, and if you end up really enjoying cycling longer distances and faster, then it's time to upgrade for a road bike like the Dolce or Ruby.

-- gnat! {Too many options. }

[eofelis]

...but keep in mind that cycling is something I *really really really* love and plop a full wallet into the hobby as often as possible to make it as enjoyable as I can. I like to be comfortable and have reliable stuff and don't skimp.

+1 on that!

(Sorry, I don't have anything to add about a Vita.)

[Crankin]

I can only add that a friend of mine bought the Vita Comp 1.5 yrs. ago and loves it. She has made some good progress on hill climbing and I have taken her up one of our more notable climbs in the area on that bike (Oak Hill). Though she was ready to kill me, the bike and her made it...
She has had a few little shifting issues on the Comp, each time the LBS adjusted it and it then behaves. But, it has made her think about getting either a more traditional road bike that is a bit more upright than some, or upgrading her components. This is from a person who said she would never a) use clipless pedal (she does) and B) get a bike with dropped bars (she is thinking about it). The Vita Comp has really hooked her!

[Kathi]

What are your goals for riding? If you plan to tool around on the bike trails a flat handlebar is probably ok. If you plan to ride any kind of distance you won't have as many options for hand positions which will become tiring in time. If being more upright is your concern a good bike fitter can adust the handlebars to raise you higher. The uprightness doesn't necessarily come from the type of handlebar but the length of the headtube and spacers.

My bike is custom and I can be more upright by changing the spacers. We did it last year to see if it would help my back pain, but I hated it. We back to the neutral position I was originally put in.

Bikes of your vintage were commonly setup with the handlebars very low. Current bikefit has changed, unless you're a racer type, no one goes that low any more. You may be just as happy with dropped handlebars providing you are fitted properly.

Beware if you have lots of bike trails around you. Where I live I can ride for many miles on bike trails. I celebrated my 60th birthday by riding my age on the bike trails around Denver.

I just reread your post, sounds like you need a well fitted road bike.

[mtngoat]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for all the replies!

Someone did send me a private message about trying the men's version - Sirrus Comp. One LBS does have one in a box - my size - and will have it ready tomorrow to try out (if it doesn't snow!)

Goals? I use to do charity rides on my Trek Road Bike. Haven't lately but still want to do long rides here and there. Usually ride with a local bike shop when it gets warmer and throughout the summer - have trouble keeping up with the guys - they usually do 22 + mph
Most of them have new or newer road bikes - some expensive stuff too!
But of course, they are nice, they never leave anyone behind!

When it does get warmer - I do want to ride outside. Right now - I attend spinning classes.

It worries me about one of the replies saying they had trouble with shifting and had to keep getting it adjusted. Vita Comp is around $1100.
This is about the top of my price range.
I did not have any trouble with the bottom model Vita on shifting - this was a $479 bike. I also went through all the gears.

Congratulations to your friend who wants to probably get a road bike.
I am almost 50 - so I feel my riding in the drop days are about done.

I will see if I get to test ride the men's equivalent tomorrow and let everyone know - thanks so much for all the replies.

Kathi - I would love to find a women's bicycle group to bike ride together - do you belong to any or are there any around I can check into?

Thanks everyone - would love more feedback!

[Kathi]

Sorry, haven't found any although I see lots of women riding in small groups or by themselves.

I sometimes ride with the DBTC (Denver Bicycle Touring Club) and some of the bike shops have womens rides. Last year Outdoor Divas in Cherry Creek had scheduled some women's rides but it either rained or I had conflicts so I didn't make any.

If I hear of any I will let you know.

Why do you think your days of riding in drops are done? I'm 61 and have no intention of giving up my road drops. My bike is custom and is designed to have the handlebars raised if and when I need them higher. I'm just not ready yet.

[mtngoat]

Hi Kathi,

I guess I like the look of the straight handle bars along with something that doesn't quite have a mountain bike look - just me I guess.
Plus, when I tried the Treks and Specialized bikes with these handlebars - I liked it!

How expensive was it to make your stem higher?

Sorry, if my husband wasn't around - I probably would have a higher bike budget!

Thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it!

Laurie

[Kathi]

First of all my road bike is custom, designed with a longer head tube to accomodate my short arms. It has spacers, rings of varying diminsions that go around the steerer tube, not expensive, that can be changed around to raise or lower my handlebars. If the shop doesn't cut the steerer tube, and they shouldn't, adding spacers is not a big deal.

I have an awesome bike fitter in Boulder who raised the handlebars on my mtn bike (not custom and couldn't add any more spacers) by using a stem with a rise. I also have a carbon road bike that we raised the handlebars with a comination of spacers and a stem with a rise (the stem angles up).

A stem is about $80-90 depending on what you get and on a new bike there may not be a charge if the shop is seriously trying to get you fitted properly.

I rode for years and was not very comfortable on my bikes. I finally forked out the money for a fit and found out that because of my short arms I needed my handle bars higher to be in a neutral position. Stock frames generally don't have the length of the head tube that I need so that's why my road bike is custom. I also need a steep seat tube angle. I didn't know these things until I had a bike fit. You want a bike that fits your body, not the other way around.

My advice is to try to find a shop that will work with you on your fit and try a variety of bikes. I'm sure there is one that will fit you and your budget.

My other concern is that if you ride in wind, or any of the downhills or mtn passes you will lose the benefits of dropped bars by getting flat bars.

[mtngoat]

Hi Kathi,

Thanks for your advice - I will make sure about getting fitted. Sometime if you wouldn't mind, could you post a pic of your bike - I would like to see how the high the handlebars are on your bike from the side.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Laurie

[Kathi]

Here's pix of my bike when I first got it.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8515

Notice how long the head tube is. There are spacers underneath the handlebars. This setup puts me in a neutral position. Not to high, not to low but a position that is comfortable for me. When I got the bike a friend asked "why are my handlebars so low?"

And my old bike. Notice how short the head tube is? In order to raise the handlebars it has lots of spacers and a very angled stem.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...?t=6655&page=2