Second thoughts about getting a road bike

mutantllama

Hi all,

Up until about a week ago I wanted to trade in my old hardtail and get an all-purpose bike, and had decided on a Specialized Tricross Sport (CX). This was to cover regular commuting to work (11.5 miles on road), occassional off-road (canal paths etc) and very occassional touring (JOGLE etc). It was also going to be used for long-ride Charity events (London to Paris etc).

Whilst looking at the Tricross, a mate suggested that as the majority of riding would be road use I should upgrade the components of my HT (which has holes for a rear pannier) and invest in a road bike. Looked around and came upon a Cannondale CAAD8 105 2011, and left a £50.00 deposit. At the time I was fully sold on the bike, but now I am starting to have some doubts and worried that I am making a mistake.

I do not want to loose my £50.00 deposit, but I would rather suffer this loss than make a mistake spending £999.99 on a road bike that I will regret in the future....

P_Tucker

Jesus. MTFU and make a decision.

unixnerd

CAAD8 is a superb bike for the money, you'd struggle to buy a better value bit of kit.,

MTBs are great, but a road bike is a whole different ball game and huge fun. A LOT faster.

Mossrider

Reinforce your decision by going on a test ride on any road bike - you'll quickly realise how much fun you are going to have....

MaxwellBygraves

Your mate was right. Stick with it, you'll love it. It can take patience, but it's great.

mutantllama

Cheers,

I'l MTFU and stick with the Cannondale. Had concerns about comfort over longer journeys, having never tried a CX or Road bike over more than a few miles but I do like the idea of having a dedicated bike instead of a hybrid, and seeing how much time I can shave off my journey to work compared to my HT (11.5 miles = 55 minutes at mo).

keef66

I went from riding a light / rigid slicked up mtb to a proper road bike with 105. 10 lbs lighter, half as fast again, and more comfy over distance.
You should easily lop 10 mins off your ride to work, and you'll arrive grinning like an idiot the first few times.

racingcondor

You can do all of the riding you describe on the Cannondale. Buy it. Enjoy.

gergusmcbergus

mutantllama wrote:

Cheers,

I'l MTFU and stick with the Cannondale. Had concerns about comfort over longer journeys, having never tried a CX or Road bike over more than a few miles but I do like the idea of having a dedicated bike instead of a hybrid, and seeing how much time I can shave off my journey to work compared to my HT (11.5 miles = 55 minutes at mo).

Your Cannondale should definitely be comfortable for what you describe.
The good thing about road bikes is that you would have to try hard to find an uncomfortable one. Make sure you get a good pair of padded shorts, they can make the world of difference. If in the unlikely event you are uncomfortable, don't despair - a simple position tweak or saddle swap is probably all it would take and everyone on here would be able to help you with that.

mutantllama

Cheers!

Confidence is restored in the road bike, pick it up at the weekend and have a few miles before riding to work on Monday!

gazofglos

keep the hard tail as well as having a road bike i did and it gives you the option of riding on or off road they say variety is the spice of life or something like that 8)

careful

keep the hard tail as well as having a road bike

+1

Try finding a similar bike for the money you get offered in a trade-in.

I reckon its best to keep your old bike unless the money is a deal breaker or lack of space prohibits it.

kingrollo

I use my MTB this rtime of year - I am loads slower over a 7 mile commutte - perhaps about 10 minutes - and thats against my cheap road bike !

Only problem I can see is that the CADD is a full on race bike - but at those distances you won't notice the comfort.

Butterd2

I know 2 people who bought CX bikes as a sort of half way, do a bit of everything, house. They both now regret not just getting a proper road bike in the first place.

N+1 determines that you keep the HT anyway so you have a bike for the rough stuff. Take a look at what road bikes endure during the Paris - Roubaix you'd be surprised how tough they are anyway.

paulbox

I went through a similar process as you, am really enjoying the road bike (when I'm not coming off it), really don't think you will regret it.

Barteos

Considering the intended use, you've made a right decision going for a ...

CX bike...

Using a full on racer as a commuter on typical UK roads (+ weather) makes as much sense as driving a F1 car around London.

Cyclocross bike won't be radically different or slower but it'll allow you to run wider tyres and/or full length normal mudguards, so you'll have more options.

In a long longer run you'll apprieciate the practicality, reliability and comfort more than "performance" and "bling", especially when using your bike on a daily basis in a s***y weather.

As for the comfort, bear in mind that many people claiming that their road bikes (23mm at 120PSI) are comfortable, either got used to certain level of discomfort, they haven't tried anything else or they don't have opinion of their own and simply use what everyone else uses.

Don't get brainwashed.

prawny

I use a normal road bike as a year round commuter. I wish I had guard mounts but my roadracers do a good job.

The only time I'd wish for a cx would be in snow, but chances are I just wouldn't ride anyway.

Mr Will

Barteos wrote:

Using a full on racer as a commuter on typical UK roads (+ weather) makes as much sense as driving a F1 car around London.

If he was suggesting a full aero TT frame then you might have a point, but a more accurate parallel for a normal road bike would be a sports car. Sure, it won't be quite as comfortable as a Ford Focus, but there is no reason you can't use it every day and it'll be more fun when you are just out to enjoy yourself.

rake

Mr Will wrote:

Barteos wrote:

Using a full on racer as a commuter on typical UK roads (+ weather) makes as much sense as driving a F1 car around London.

If he was suggesting a full aero TT frame then you might have a point, but a more accurate parallel for a normal road bike would be a sports car. Sure, it won't be quite as comfortable as a Ford Focus, but there is no reason you can't use it every day and it'll be more fun when you are just out to enjoy yourself.

no :!: its like driving a landrover at a ploughing contest.

mutantllama

CAAD8 105 2011

First ride in today, loved it! Took 10 minutes off my HT time (and I have only ridden a few times this year). Finding the rat traps a little awkward, finding it almost impossible to get one foor in when riding (started leaning against whatever I can when stopped at lights etc), but still a bit of a road-bike noob. Felt the road a lot more, but not uncomfortably so.

Keeping my hardtail for bad weather and to practise repairs, and going to slowly upgrade it (Giant Rincon 2007), but the difference in ride is amazing (rat traps are forcing me to ride with the balls of my feet, on the HT I was riding the arches).

Thanks again, still wondering if I should have got a CX, but for once I get a dedicated bike instead of a hybrid!

kingrollo

mutantllama wrote:

CAAD8 105 2011

First ride in today, loved it! Took 10 minutes off my HT time (and I have only ridden a few times this year). Finding the rat traps a little awkward, finding it almost impossible to get one foor in when riding (started leaning against whatever I can when stopped at lights etc), but still a bit of a road-bike noob. Felt the road a lot more, but not uncomfortably so.

Keeping my hardtail for bad weather and to practise repairs, and going to slowly upgrade it (Giant Rincon 2007), but the difference in ride is amazing (rat traps are forcing me to ride with the balls of my feet, on the HT I was riding the arches).

Thanks again, still wondering if I should have got a CX, but for once I get a dedicated bike instead of a hybrid!

Clipless pedals are the way to go - rat traps are a bit last week TBH

Bon_Jovi

Just so you know, the "do-it-all" bike is the holy grail, and it doesnt exist. I'm sure you can run 25mm tires at 90 or 85psi just fine on the CAAD and get "comfort" without needing a CX bike.
A CX bike is good for that - cyclocross (and maybe winter, if you live in Montana and need to run studded tires).
A road bike is good for roads and most gravel/dirt roads.
If you want to go play in the mud, take your MTB.

You made the right choice.

MaxwellBygraves

mutantllama wrote:

CAAD8 105 2011

First ride in today, loved it! Took 10 minutes off my HT time (and I have only ridden a few times this year). Finding the rat traps a little awkward, finding it almost impossible to get one foor in when riding (started leaning against whatever I can when stopped at lights etc), but still a bit of a road-bike noob. Felt the road a lot more, but not uncomfortably so.

Keeping my hardtail for bad weather and to practise repairs, and going to slowly upgrade it (Giant Rincon 2007), but the difference in ride is amazing (rat traps are forcing me to ride with the balls of my feet, on the HT I was riding the arches).

Thanks again, still wondering if I should have got a CX, but for once I get a dedicated bike instead of a hybrid!

Nice one on sticking with it. I would advise some clipless pedals.
Keep at it!