Trek or Cannondale?

[nwgirl99]

Hello! I'm looking for my first bike and have found two that fit and feel good to me. The first is the Trek 2.1 Pilot WSD and the second is the Cannondale Feminine Optimo. Does anyone have any advice on which one to pick? The Cannondale is the 2006 model so I can save about $400 - but I want to make sure I'm getting a bike that I won't quickly grow out of. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Grog]

Have you ridden with both on the road? You should take the one that felt best.

Otherwise, without any information about the components, wheels, etc. and the uses you wish to make of the bike, it's hard to comment. Most bike shops have some room to change the parts that come with the frame they sell.

Will they fit you on the bike? Will you be able to switch parts (ex: stem, saddle?) if it doesn't work for you?

Regarding the two brands, I would consider them as equivalent. Both offer a great warranty on the frame, in Canada at least.

Are they from the same shop? At that stage you're also choosing a shop to start a long-term business relationship... It matters A LOT.

And, of course: which one is the prettiest? :D

Welcome to TE, don't forget to introduce yourself in the Getting to know you thread!

[momof4greatkids]

+1 on what Grog said about fit.

I just checked the components on each, the Cannondale is full Ultegra, the Trek has 105 components. It sounds like the Cannondale would be a better bike, and might even save you a few dollars....a sweet deal.

Both are quite purty, but I think I'd pick the Cannondale.

Just my .02

Colleen

[nwgirl99]

Thank you both for your input! I did some more research and I'm going with the Cannondale. Both bikes were from "local" shops but the place I'm buying the Cannondale from is less intimidating and I left with a better feeling. Plus they offered to put on a shorter stem, work with me on the fitting(s) and 10% off shoes and other accessories. And, yes, the Cannondale is blue-utiful! :-)

[KnottedYet]

NW - which bike shop are you getting the Cannondale from? (I have a fab-o relationship with Recycled Cycles, but I'm always on the lookout for other good shops to send folks to who want new bikes.)

[Grog]

Thank you both for your input! I did some more research and I'm going with the Cannondale. Both bikes were from "local" shops but the place I'm buying the Cannondale from is less intimidating and I left with a better feeling. Plus they offered to put on a shorter stem, work with me on the fitting(s) and 10% off shoes and other accessories. And, yes, the Cannondale is blue-utiful! :-)

See, you're all set!

Great shopping job there!

[nwgirl99]

NW - which bike shop are you getting the Cannondale from? (I have a fab-o relationship with Recycled Cycles, but I'm always on the lookout for other good shops to send folks to who want new bikes.)

Knotted - Alpine Hut on 15th Ave W. is where I'm picking up the Cannondale.

[liberty]

Tell you what, I have the 2006 Cannondale Feminine and absolutely love it!!! No regrets about buying it. Both my bike shop and Cannondale have been wonderful to work with. About 5 months after I bought my bike there was a malfunction with transporting my bike and it flew off the back of the truck. Broke the fork, so Cannondale had to make another one. But they made a mistake and send the wrong fork to the LBS. They sent an upgraded fork, full carbon! And they said to keep it for the same amount I would have paid for the cheaper fork... They won my loyalty. I hope you enjoy your bike as much as I have!

[Artisan]

My husband just bought our fifth Cannondale and is waiting for it's arrival. We ride and race both mtn and road. We have been very pleased with the quality of Cannondale and the customer care that our LBS and Cannondale provide. He had an issue with the dropouts on his Scapel frame and they replaced the frame free of charge.

It sounds like the shop with the cannondale is going to set you up nicely. Congrats on buying a new bike, enjoy your new ride!

[CR400]

I really like my Cannondale too and would buy that brand again. I have a lower end race bike but that was what I had to work with finacially at that point. But it works just as well as the higher end bikes. They make a real nice aluminum frame that stands up to hard use.

[nwgirl99]

It's great to hear from all of the Cannondale lovers! I feel even better about my purchase now.

Now, on to learning how to use my clipless pedals...the band-aids and peroxide are waiting... :)!

[freshwater_pr0n]

If you're wavering between two specific bikes, take each bike for a nice, long test ride. That's what floor models are for. Get the bike that feels good and will make you want to ride. You can always upgrade your components later.

[equus123]

if you ride a lot then components are essential. when purchasing a new bike, aside from the size of the frame and fit, the most important aspect to look at is the components.

unfortunately in cycling, a cheap price = a cheap product. if you're deciding between two bikes, seriously, always go with the one that has better components. it pays dividends. better components will be easier to use, more reliable, last longer, and do what they're actually SUPPOSED TO DO. it's really sad how low product lines barely even work, let alone correctly.

congrats on your cannondale. i have one and i love it to death. my next investment will probably be a SystemSix, but next year. i rode one and it's one sweet bike. that thing bleeds power.