I'm confusing myself - Help!

[michelem]

Well, I had planned to go test-riding today but it rained and rained and rained. So, hopefully tomorrow. I'm driving quite a ways (about 25 miles) to test ride a Cannondale Synapse Feminine Carbon 2 and a Specialized Ruby Expert. Both come with the option of a double or triple (I don't believe either come with a compact double option). Cannondale's is a 30/39/53 triple or a 39/53 double and a 12-25 cassette; Specialized's is a 30/39/50 triple or a 39/50 double and a 12-27 cassette. I use the "granny ring" on my mountain bike when hill climbing and I don't know what I'd do without it, although maybe I could get away with a compact double after losing all the mtb weight . . . not sure I want to swap out for a compact double though. Anyone have insight as to why I'd want a compact double rather than a triple? I surely don't care about a couple of grams as I just want to keep up with the group and I'm not out to win any races.

The differences betweem these to bikes that I see are these:

Grupo:
Cannondale - Full Ultegra group
vs.
Specialized - FSA SL-K MegaExo 2 piece carbon crankset and FSA Mega Exo, integrated exterior cartridge bearings alloy bottom bracket; everything else is Ultegra.

Rims/Hubs/Spokes:
Cannondale - Mavic Ksyrium Elite/na/na
vs.
Specialized - Shimano R6600/R6600/Stainless 14g aero

Tires:
Cannondale - Michelin Lithion w/Puncture Protector, foldable, 700x23c
v.
Specialized - Specialied Roubaix Pro, 700x23/25c, aramid bead, 120TPI

Saddle:
Cannondale - Fi'zi:k Vitessse HP Ti
v.
Specialized - Body Geometry Jett Women's

Beyond that, everything is pretty much the same as far as technical specs go.

Do the differences between the two justify a $500 difference in price? The Specialized goes for $2499 at an in-town bike shop and will be reduced by 12% on Diva Night (ladies' only) at the beginning of May. That saves tax right there! The Cannondale is only carried by this out-of-town (25 miles away) bike shop and goes for $3000. Bicycling Magazine says that because the Ruby Expert does not have a full Ultegra drivetrain it "results in a very slightly less refined ride." Any of you have experience with this?

I'm thinking the lower price and the convenience of a closer bike shop tip the favor toward the Ruby.

Of course, everything is really going to come down to fit. That is my main concern. I've learned my lesson on my ill-fitting mtb. My insurance only covers three more p/t appts. for the year, so I better get something that fits me soon!

Sorry this is so long. One more thing - I am about 5'2" but measured my inseam at 30" (this was using the book method). I'm reading that some 6 foot tall guys have 32 or 33" inseams. How can that be? Cannondale comes in 47, 50, 53, or 56 cm frames, and Specialized comes in 44, 48, 51, 54, or 56 cm frames.

Thanks for any insight you can provide. I feel more and more confused the more I read. This is A LOT of money and it's scary to even think of spending that much.

[SadieKate]

Michele, I looked at your profile in the Getting to Know You thread and it sounds like you're at the beginning of your road cycling adventures. Do you plan on venturing up into the Sierras to ride the real mountains (Iron Mtg, Slug Gulch, Salmon Falls, up in Tahoe, etc.)? Or do you plan on staying down on the valley floor and only riding almost flat routes like the American River Trail?

I'm sure some of the forum member who don't live around here and don't know the terrain are going to give their 2 cents on the double vs triple question anyway, but as a local who doesn't race but is fit, strong and experienced with the actual mountains that you will be riding I would recommend a triple for those mountains. There are the odd few that ride doubles but they generally are the very, very small minority. California can have a lot of very long climbs which are tiring in their sheer length (Iron Mtn is a 20+ mile long climb from Pollock Pines to Highway 88). Some are long and steep, but so rewarding to ride. These are wonderful rides and I would hate to see you use gearing that prevents you from really enjoying our mountains.

However, if you don't plan on enjoying the challenges of rides in the foothills and above (Folsom itself is pretty flat and I don't consider it truly foothills), a compact or even a standard double is fine.

Since you ride a mountain bike, you're used to shifting a triple so it won't take you any learning time. A triple allows so much versatility. With a triple, you could put on a big cassette that is great for climbing, but if you're just riding the flats in Folsom/Sacramento/Davis a smaller corn cob cassette is so much more fun for its small incremental differences between cogs. You can swap back and forth and have the best of both worlds.

Tires and saddles -- these are easily swapped out for something better before you even purchase. Don't even consider this in the equation. If you don't like the saddle, have them put something else on. The tires will wear out and you'll replace them soon. Worry about the fit of the frame, the ride quality (from both the frame and the wheels) and the components. I think those two bikes are so close that you need to go with the bike that fits the best. 25 miles isn't all that far if you like one shop better than the other. For instance, if one gives more attention to you and the fit. There should be several shops in the area that have both bikes and can set them up side by side. Wheelworks in Davis will also make sure that they have the bike in your size if you call ahead and give them a few days to get the bike in and build it up. That's just the way they do business (and they carry both brands).

BTW, there are far many more factors in choosing a size than inseam. You need to be fit on the bike. Forget the inseam thing. Get fit.

[michelem]

Thanks so much. It's good to hear from someone who knows the area. Sometimes riding up to Beal's Point feels like a mountain to me, but at this point I'm talking more like riding up to Auburn. Some of our group rides incorporate 3500-4200 feet of climbing. I've got to tell you, I love my granny ring during those rides! Even so, I'm always trailing behind and lose even more speed going downhill . . . sigh . . . But, when I went with DH last weekend, I had to wait for him at the top, so I'm getting better! And all this without clipless pedals (I'm learning to use those on the fluid trainer first). Someday I'd like to be able to ride up in Tahoe.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to City Bicycle Works in Sac. They are the closest shop that carries Cannondale. If I go with the Ruby, I'll probably go through Bicycles Plus here in town. Their Diva Night discount is pretty good - 12% off bikes and 25% off gear. Even though their gear is generally overpriced, it still comes out better with the 25% off discount. I really hate driving, so Sac feels far away!

Thanks again.