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

[GraysonKelly]

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!!!")

[Aggie_Ama]

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.

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.

[Biciclista]

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!

[Triskeliongirl]

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.

[GraysonKelly]

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

[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.

[GraysonKelly]

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.

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.