Okay, so I'm sort-of in the market for a new bike. While I won't be able to make a purchase for several months, I may as well start researching (or, well, salivating) now. It'll be a fun bike, that much I know. (My current "fun bike" is becoming a commuter; it's time for her to grow up a little, like her rider.)
So, can I get some input on what I'm considering here? I don't know much about SRAM or wheels, for a start, so any help on that will be appreciated. I'd like to look at Trek if I get the chance, but I don't know a dealer around here.
Here they are:
Cannondale CAAD9 Feminine 5
http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/10/...el-0RW95C.html
Pros: Cheapest out of the bikes I'm considering. Most aesthetically pleasing out of the bunch.
Shallow: the white and red that I would want (if I buy it in the next...8 months) coordinates nicely with BF's bike. We can be nauseating together.(okay, you can all stop gagging now!)
Cons: I don't know if I'm ready/need/how comfortable I'd be with something that's quite a bit more aggressive that what I currently have. No triple option.
Cannondale Synapse Feminine 5
http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/10/...5C_0RWC5T.html
Pros: Carbon. Option for a triple. (I like my triple.)
Cons: Carbon. I don't know much about the relative merits of carbon, except that it's lighter and more expensive. Also not crazy about the paint, but the red's not too bad (assuming that I buy it before they run out of 2010 stock. They'll probably come out with something horrible next year...)
Cannondale Synapse Feminine 4
http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/10/...el-0RWC4C.html
This is where it gets strange. The 3 is the Ultegra version. This is Rival. I don't know where Rival falls in the scheme of things, so any advice is appreciated.
Giant Avail 1
http://giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bike...ed/3881/36262/
Pros: Same frame as what I have now, but better components. It's familiar. Also, triple!
Cons: It's silly to re-buy the same frame, really, even though this option would cost less overall than to upgrade my current bike.
Giant Avail Advanced 2
http://giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bike....2/5683/37054/
Pros: Same geometry, but nicer materials. Also, nicer components. On the cheaper side, too.
Cons: Same geometry. I'm scrunched up on my current bike, I feel, and I'll see if adjustment makes a difference. I'm not tall enough to ride a "large", not that they make this bike in that size anyway.
Thanks for putting up with me posting another one of these threads...



(okay, you can all stop gagging now!)
Reply With Quote