Just when I thought it was over.......

seanorawe

I had settled on my new choice of bike being a Caad8 Tiagra this summer, as I am just not getting on with my Allez, I want something more comfortable for longer rides, not bothered about speed. Also within a budget for C2W. I went for a ride on Saturday morning, and 2 people from the group had a spesh Sectuer. It felt nice and comfortable albeit for the 100 yards I pedalled it. So im not sure what one to go for. Is it general practice a LBS would let you take a bike out for a spin before you buy it?

fevmeister

Some will, some wont.

seanorawe

should have mentioned the sectuer is the sport 2013 model

James Q

My local LBS does let you take the bikes your interested in out for a quick spin around the industrial estate there in. It might not be a long ride but its enough to give you a rough idea of what the bike rides like, and they dont mind you testing more then 1 at a time, they will also discus with you what your looking for in a bike to make sure you get the right one.

smidsy

If you want comfortable on long rides a Synapse would possibly be a better choice over a CAAD.

CAAD frames are quite aggressive and usually have short head tubes.

Obviously there are lots of other makes too, but you should be looking at trying as many as possible before deciding.

seanorawe

smidsy wrote:

If you want comfortable on long rides a Synapse would possibly be a better choice over a CAAD.

CAAD frames are quite aggressive and usually have short head tubes.

Obviously there are lots of other makes too, but you should be looking at trying as many as possible before deciding.

Even the caad8 with the longer head tube?

Mr Will

seanorawe wrote:

smidsy wrote:

If you want comfortable on long rides a Synapse would possibly be a better choice over a CAAD.

CAAD frames are quite aggressive and usually have short head tubes.

Obviously there are lots of other makes too, but you should be looking at trying as many as possible before deciding.

Even the caad8 with the longer head tube?

The CAAD8 is the Allez equivalent. The Synapse is the Secteur competitor.

Nobody can tell you the answer to which bike fits best. Get them under your bum and make up your own mind!

Monty Dog

IME Cannondale frames and most aluminium alloy frames tend to ride on the harsh side of comfortable - it's a function of the material properties. Because aluminium alloys have a finite fatigue limit, frames have to be over-built to compensate and therefore tend to loose the vibration-dampening effect of other materials like carbon, titanium or steel.

seanorawe

I had a quick go on a secteur, and I liked how it felt. I contacted a local Spesh dealer, and he said as long as he has the frame size in the shop, I can take it out for a spin. Side by side comparison of the geo on both bikes is telling me to go with the Spesh, so ill see how I ge on with that. Ill also be selling my allez around the time (July). So the wife wont be too dissapointed in "yet another bike".

MountainMonster

Personally I think every shop should allow you to test ride before you buy, as long as you leave your ID or credit card behind so they know you won't vacate. Any shop that won't let you test ride doesn't deserve my business if you ask me.

seanorawe

Update for anyone thay may or may not be interested.

After speaking to my local NHS sports injury consultant, I have been told my back is a problem that can be fixed with further physio. So I have decided not to opt for more comfort and buying a secteur. My Allez is comfortable enough, and once my back is sorted, ill be fine. I think spending £800 pound for a slightly more comfortable bike is a bit much. So, im keeping my allez and ill be upgrading the wheels this summer to some Mavic Ksyriums