OMG! Tried a bike..Fanbloodytastic!!!!(longish)

Okay,
Now I know, that ya'll know that I really want a Surly. But, seeing as how I have never in my lifetime ridden a bike with drop handle bars (unless you count my trying out my cousin's 10 speed when I 11) I decided to go get an idea about these "critters" (as Knot calls them) and went to the LBS. The first one I rode was a Bianchi something or other that was lime green and tiny! I told the guy that I didn't think it would fit me and he disagreed saying that a 50cm was plenty big enough for me. I tried it. Went maybe a mile, came back and told him that I felt like I was bending over to tie my shoes when I held the handle bars. Then I tried a Giant OCR, same basic problem and I was really wobbly...again too small. Then Andy came out. Talked to me. Listened to me. Gave me a 52 inch Cannondale T800 to ride. I stayed out for about 5 miles. Came back and LOVED IT!!!!! OMG!!! Now I have a standard to compare other bikes to but oh this was so sweet!!! It's got almost the same kind of gearing as my mountain bike (incidentally I don't know what you call those shifters that are built into the break lever but that took some getting used to), it's black and gray (very pretty) steel fork (not sure about the rest of the bike he told me but I forgot), very very nice. And, since it's an '07 and they've had it forever he quoted me a sale price that was almost $500 less than the listed price. Holy cow!!!!! What a sweet, sweet bike! I wanted to try a Bianch Volpe since several of you have mentioned it but they didn't have that. I never considere a cannondale because of cost. But this might actually be possible. Wow! What a great ride. When he first brought it out it looked huge and I said, "I can't ride that!!!" He told me jsut to try. Goodness me! I'm so excited I can barely type.
So, what you do ya'll think? I'm still new and need lots of advice.
Gray

Unless they've changed, it's an aluminum frame with a steel fork. I had one, and liked it relatively well. However, I found the ride to be pretty harsh (at least for me). Since it's built for a load (and Cannondale has a reputation for being stiff anyway), it was *really* stiff. So much so that it wasn't comfortable *to me*. There's a lady here who does all sorts of club rides on her T2000 (same frame, better components). She loves it.

CA

I love my Canondale Synapse! Glad you found a bike that you love!

I have the Synapse and I love it, but CA is right Cannondales are stiff. you may love this or not, I personally love it now that I have rode a bike that is not stiff. What are your goals with this bike? Mine is stiff but also built for a little more comfort (and carbon) while my husband has a R5000 (alum) pure race machine and some long rides can be a little more harsh for him. He doesn't mind but I would not enjoy 60+ milers on aluminum, it can be such a harsh ride. Of course I am comparing it to my lower end, poorer fitting aluminum commuter so it isn't apples to apples.

You can always put a carbon seat post and probably get a relatively supple ride even with the harsher ride of aluminum. And let me clarify nothing wrong with aluminum but it is different ride from steel, carbon, titanium. I am assuming at your price point (guessing by this bike) most things you are looking at will be aluminum.

Can he let you take it for a slightly longer ride? Maybe somewhere with rougher roads? Cannondales are fabulous bikes, good quality and I have heard they stand behind them for warranty issues if they arise so the bike itself would not be a bad investment, just make sure it is compatible with your goals.

Amanda,
Actually, I was looking at a steel bike. Specifically I was looking at the Surly Cross Check because of everything everyone on this forum and other sites have said about steel. Price is a big factor. I didn't go very long today but I can understand why people say the bike is stiff. I think. I don't know if i'll be able to take it further or not, but I guess I can ask. I was just going out today to get an idea about how a road type bike would feel. As I said, I've never ridden one before. So now I have an idea. I'm still probably going to go with the surly. I just wanted to get an idea of what I was looking for. It was just easier for me to test ride something here in town before I make the rounds of bike shops 1-3 hours away to look at surlys.
Thanks for the tips.
I've said before that weight is not a huge concern for me. I know that if I go from riding something like a surly to eventually riding something lighter I'll know the difference, but i'll also know the difference between my mountain bike (which I do all of my riding on right now) and a surly. So weight doesn't bother me. the shifters, brakes, sturdiness, safety, and gears are what concern me.
Gray

Can you try a Trek 520? That's what I replaced my T800 with. It's a hard decision whether to ride that or my Cross Check on any given day:)

CA

The same places that have the Surly have the Trek 520...but not here in town. So when I go on a road trip, I'll be checking that out. Tomorrow I'm thinking I'm gonna go ahead and try the specialized tricross since that's what the other LBS mentioned. I figure it can't hurt.
thanks CA!:)
Gray
PS this is silly but I feel like i'm being a little unfaithful to Cappy (my mountain bike) my partner asked me tonight if I was selling Cappy to get the new bike...I said, "I DONT THINK SO!!!") :o

IMO no comparison steel to aluminum. My first bike was steel and even with an aluminum fork a way better ride than my aluminum commuter with a carbon fork. Weight? Rubbish you aren't aspiring to be some skinny climbing racer are you? I don't worry that my Cannondale is heavier than your average bike because it has a triple and 105, she rides well and loves me, so I love her. :p

Stiffness- I never really understood until I got my commuter. When I am on my Cannondale and get out of the saddle it is firm under me, if I am on a small enough hill to really put power in the climb I can totally feel it and the bike feels firm. I joke with my husband that I tell her to climb and she goes "yes ma'am let's go!" My aluminum commuter is not stiff. I get out of the saddle to climb and I feel like I am walking on the old floor mat from the days of gymnastics! That is an extreme comparison but I seriously feel like the bottom bracket and bike sag under the force of my pedaling.

As much as I love my steel bike(s) I must be a dissenter here.
YOu really loved that bike. It's a great price. It has a carbon fork. I rode a bike like that a couple thousand miles before I got a custom bike. Your bike fits,
I say go for it. A lot of people are riding aluminum, it's not a bad product.
I just loved your excitement and enthusiasm and I wish you luck!

I agree with Mimi, you rode it, you loved it, the price is right, so buy it. Its a great 'value' (i.e. excellent bike with a deep discount). And clearly it 'fits' you which is the most critical aspect of comfort

Even many pros ride aluminum bikes w carbon forks, and every bike is different in terms of comfort. I also really like a 'stiff' bike (that means it will be great on power transmission), and clearly you did too from your reaction. For $500 it seems to me you can't go wrong. Later if you really get hooked and feel the need to upgrade to carbon, I am sure you can even sell it and get your money back.

Hello!

I'm still really excited about that bike I rode. But I have a question and I'm sure exactly how to ask it. So I'll try...hehe.
I know that bike fit is very important...in fact essential to riding well and riding safely. But how much do "you" factor into that? I mean, Cappy and I get along really well but not as well as we did when I first start 4 months ago. I'm almost 30lbs lighter, bony in areas I wasn't before, my posture is different, more muscles etc. Granted,, I have about 20 more lbs to go and I'll really look different when that happens. If i were to buy this bike now, do you think I'll regret it later when my body changes again? I don't know. I'm starting resistance training to get stronger but not get bulky. How much will my future body changes impact the bike I ride.
Gray

A note about the "sale" price... $500 less than list is not that incredible, especially if you are talking about what is basically a 2 year old model. I don't know about Cannondale's pricing but, when I purchased my last bike (not a Cannondale) the shop guy was nice enough to show me the pricing scheme - it was for the current years model.
there was the "list" price
the "sale" price - about $500 less than list
and the lowest they were allowed to sell at - $1000 less than list

so to me $500 off of list for a 2 year old model sounds a little too expensive.... depending on the original price it seems like they could knock a bit more off that price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eden

A note about the "sale" price... $500 less than list is not that incredible, especially if you are talking about what is basically a 2 year old model. I don't know about Cannondale's pricing but, when I purchased my last bike (not a Cannondale) the shop guy was nice enough to show me the pricing scheme - it was for the current years model.
there was the "list" price
the "sale" price - about $500 less than list
and the lowest they were allowed to sell at - $1000 less than list

so to me $500 off of list for a 2 year old model sounds a little too expensive.... depending on the original price it seems like they could knock a bit more off that price.

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If I can get him to come down on the price I will try, but I don't know that I can. I haven't been able to find a price for that bike online.

I say if the bike fits you and you like it and it will make you ride more because you like it, go for it. In a year or two, you might want to upgrade, but you might not. You can determine at that time (and in the meantime start a New Bike Savings Account for when that time comes).