Racing bike vs endurance bikes

[JuneHawk]

BTW Kirsten, I love the quote in your siggy! LOL. I'm a no tri kinda girl, I don't swim.

[zoom-zoom]

BTW Kirsten, I love the quote in your siggy! LOL. I'm a no tri kinda girl, I don't swim.

Ha, my hubby came up with that. I like swimming in terms of just splashing around, but have 0 interest in ever doing anything competitively.

What if you looked at something like the SuperSix (which is now Cannondale's higher-end carbon line) or one of last year's Sixes to save some cash? That would get you carbon AND a more aggressive frame. There are both men's and women's models in those bikes, so you could get the geometry you need (44 or 48 in women's or 48 in men's).

[WindingRoad]

June,

You don't need to worry about if it's a race bike or not, you do realize that Liquigas (pro cycling team) does the Paris Roubaix on a Cannondale, Synapse. Just because a bike is built to be comfy doesn't equate to slow. So what I'm saying is don't limit yourself or get OCD about whether the bike is a 'race' bike or a 'touring' style. For some people the CAAD9 fits them perfectly for long endurance events, others find a Trek Madone to be the bike for them. It doesn't necessarily matter, what DOES matter is finding a shop willing to give you a good fit. This is how you find your comfort level AND your performance you are seeking. If I were you I'd start shopping the local bike shops in your area and see who seems to care about the fit before just selling you something. Good luck in your search!

WR

[ibike2]

My husband and I have been having this same conversation....Race bike or comfort/endurance bike. This is his opinon:


How long do you plan to ride?? Over 100 miles? If not, Definately go for the racing bike. If you can - have your bike professional fit to you. That person should be able to set up your race bike for comfort/endurance. Of course the bike geomentry is different, but they should be able to fit you so you are comfortable on your biken (with a simple adjustment of raising your handle bar stem up or down). Let them know, you plan to ride for longer distance.

Don't limit yourself to Cannondale...There are other brands that make awesome carbon fiber bikes. Take the time and try them out.

Hope that helps some!

[KnottedYet]

Caveat: I ride steel bikes. I don't like carbon at all, and aluminum drives me nuts after about 40 miles. Never tried ti.

Ok, caveat out of the way, I have a confession to make: all but one of my bikes are cyclocross geometry.... and I've never ridden cyclocross and have no intention of ever doing so.

But, for whatever reason, my body LOOOOOOOOVES cyclocross geometry. I can do long rides, short rides, triathlons, commutes, crazy ferocious speed, lazy cruisin' slowness, smooth asphalt, raw dirt.

Don't get hung up about the name of the geometry of any particular bike, nor get caught up in the label of what you intend to do with the bike.

If you feel like you are flying, like you could go forever, like it is true love... doesn't matter what the label is! Doesn't matter what the frame material is!

Feel the velo love, and ride lots and lots of bikes before you buy one.

[JuneHawk]

Thanks guys! I wish I could ride lots and lots of bikes but none but one of the shops i've been to have had bikes my size built, if they had any at all!