Quote Originally Posted by Allie1DukeFn
Can anyone tell me what the major differences are between a C model and a regular model? Or direct me where I can find the information? I don't even know what the C stands for!
Hi Allie1DukeFn-

I'll take a stab at this...

The "C" is Comfort. This means a higher stem/handlebar position, a shorter reach (you will be more upright), a more relaxed geometry and generally wider tires. A comfort road bike will be faster than a mountain bike, but will not be as fast as a "regular" road bike.

My first "adult" bike was a mountain bike. I rode a too small road bike when I was a teenager, and HATED all road bikes after that. I put slicks on my mountain bike and started riding on the road (by the way, if you 11 mph average was with nobby tires, that's phenomenal!). My hands started to go numb and I got frustrated by being passed so often, but kept riding. Then I found a road bike on sale - I now know that the fit was never quite right (it's a tad too small for me), but I was much more comfortable and rode some longer distances on it.

Then I found a used cannondale R600 in a bike store. I needed to put some new components on the old road bike (wanted to change it to a triple) and the cannondale was less expensive than making the switch (it had barely been ridden). It fit like a glove. All my ideas about road bikes being uncomfortable went out the window as soon as I rode "Blueberry." They DO NOT have to be uncomfortable. On a regular bike, you DO NOT have to have your bars lower than your saddle (your shop should be able to adjust this properly) which I find uncomfortable. You do not have to be stretched out too much - on a properly fitted bike, you won't be.

Bottom line - I would go with a comfort road bike only for shorter distance rides where I really didn't care about speed. Otherwise, I'd get a regular one. I'll never be speedy, but I want all the help I can get. AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE. A properly fitted bike won't be uncomfortable even on long rides (unless, of course, your butt isn't properly toughened)

Sorry for the long response - I'm a little passionate on this one