Which of these 3 cycles? [Was Buying CAAD9 online?]

CletePurcel

Hello again

I have decided that my best bet will be to test drive a bike from my local shop rather than buy the CAAD9 online as I was previously thinking. Under the cycle to work scheme I could stretch to these 3 possibles that are available through my bike shop:

Specialized Secteur Elite
Giant Defy 1
Trek 2.1 triple

As someone returning to cycling after a long absence which of these 3 would be better. I am more interested in distance than speed. Is there anything favouring one of these models over the others at the price? They all cost about the same. The shop only sells Specialized, Trek and Giant.

Thanks.

rich164h

What about the Specialized Allez Elite and £200 to spend on other things? Personally I much prefered the geometry of the Allez to the Secteur and it's much more like the Trek bike that you've listed.

rich164h

What about the Specialized Allez Elite and £200 to spend on other things? Personally I much prefered the geometry of the Allez to the Secteur and it's much more like the Trek bike that you've listed.

Paul E

I only have experience of the Secteur, as my first road bike I have found it to be great, okay it's not the lightest but it's comfortable and quick enough with me on it.

CletePurcel

rich164h wrote:

What about the Specialized Allez Elite and £200 to spend on other things? Personally I much prefered the geometry of the Allez to the Secteur and it's much more like the Trek bike that you've listed.

Thanks for your reply.

I already have quite a few other things

I will definitely check out the Allez Elite though - it is on my list. My understanding (probably fuzzy) is that it is worth the upgrade from Tiagra to 105 on the Secteur. Although I am keen to get a bike that suits me rather than just getting the most expensive one the scheme allows. This might also include the Giant Defy 2, for example.

CletePurcel

Paul E wrote:

I only have experience of the Secteur, as my first road bike I have found it to be great, okay it's not the lightest but it's comfortable and quick enough with me on it.

Thanks for the recommendation. This bike seems to get very good reviews.

rich164h

Of course it is worth the update from tiagra to 105 if you can, but in my opinion it's not worth it at the expense of getting the right geometry, and fit for you. For me I found hte Secteur too upright. I have no doubt that it's a great bike and would be comfortable for a long ride but I much prefered the lower, racier position of the Allez, even if it meant I was limited to tiagra. When you sit on them the difference is massive so go and sit on a few and see what you think.

brit66

Go onto the Cannondale site and find your nearest dealer for a test ride on the CAAD9.

Even a 50 mile plus round trip would be worth it as it's a better bike than the others you mention - assuming it fits you?

CletePurcel

rich164h wrote:

Of course it is worth the update from tiagra to 105 if you can, but in my opinion it's not worth it at the expense of getting the right geometry, and fit for you. For me I found hte Secteur too upright. I have no doubt that it's a great bike and would be comfortable for a long ride but I much prefered the lower, racier position of the Allez, even if it meant I was limited to tiagra. When you sit on them the difference is massive so go and sit on a few and see what you think.

Thanks. I'm going to try a few this week hopefully. I will get the one that I feel most comfortable with.

CletePurcel

brit66 wrote:

Go onto the Cannondale site and find your nearest dealer for a test ride on the CAAD9.

Even a 50 mile plus round trip would be worth it as it's a better bike than the others you mention - assuming it fits you?

Looks like my nearest dealer is in Birmingham which is quite a trek. I'll have to think about this.

Soni

CletePurcel wrote:

brit66 wrote:

Go onto the Cannondale site and find your nearest dealer for a test ride on the CAAD9.

Even a 50 mile plus round trip would be worth it as it's a better bike than the others you mention - assuming it fits you?

Looks like my nearest dealer is in Birmingham which is quite a trek. I'll have to think about this.

I test rode the CAAD9 Ultegra yesterday and it was great, however i had a 58 cm frame in a Trek 1.5 and the CAAD9 was also the 58, however i felt so so so hunched over in the back and this was whilst i was riding on the hoods! Did not feel comfortable like the Trek, i understand the CAAD9 is an aggressive racer and the Trek a sportive fit, however i can't understand how i was hunched in the back when its longer! :? :?

Attila66

Hi,

Wanted to try to go back to road cycling and tried several bikes (Felt Z something, Trek 1.5, Cannondale CAAD) and ended up buying a specialized Secteur Comp (the one with the carbon seat stays). I must say that the choice was done mainly on the grounds of the frame geometry: didn't want a position that was too racy and having very long legs for my height I "had" to go for something with a taller head tube.

I already done 450 km on the Secteur and I find it very comfortable - especially considering that some of the roads on the Dublin mountains have very rough surface - and sufficiently fast. Had to replace standard calipers with 105 (the original ones - unbranded Shimano - could barely slow down the bike on steep descends...the LBS upgraded wheels to Mavic Aksium Race for free: the bike seems to accelerate quite well (in my opinion).

hope this is helpful
A

ALaPlage

I echo previous posters comments - get the right fit and feel for you so a test ride is a must albeit they will be short but should give you a sense of what you like best. Also you can then be sure what size frame you need as this can vary by manufacturer.

Advice on here as to individual bikes is useful as in other users experience however you often will find brand/model loyalty so take the comments on board but ultimately make sure you decide on what felt best on the test ride. If you find you cannot split between two or three models after the test ride then look at what are you getting for your money in terms of groupset etc. Finally of course there is the bling factor - what's attractive in the eye candy stakes.

Of the bikes you list my favourite would be the Trek if you can get at least Tiagra for your pound notes although I believe it comes with the 105 for under £1k. A good and comfortable frame that has geometry developed from their top range Madones. Bontrager finishing kit even at the bottom end is pretty good.

Cannondale would be next choice - I have ridden a friends and was impressed but cannot comment beyond that. I have a few friends on Specialized Allez and again they are all very positive about their bikes. I don't know any Giant riders and a friend was about to buy the Defy Alliance on C2W but changed his mind after a 20 minute test ride. Ended up getting a Pinarello FP2 (LY model for £1250).

Go and try them out and then buy th Trek

CletePurcel

Thanks for all your useful advice. I will go to the shop and try some later this week.

CletePurcel

I went to pick up my Rockhopper from the shop today so I tried a few road bikes while I was there. The Specialized Secteur Elite was definitely the best for me comfort wise so I ordered one. Just have to wait for the voucher from the scheme.