Decision time

[koshari]

Go drops. Even on a more comfort based geometry. You can still ride on the flats or hoods and when you find yourself working into the wind you can go to the drops. That way you can always turn it into a gravel grinder later when you get a roadee.

[The Walrus]

Thanks mate but as I say, I'm not convinced by drops or flats...I'm heading for flats with bar ends or more likely butterfly bars

[The Walrus]

Another option to confuse matters...

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102738137" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[thecaptn]

Another option to confuse matters...

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102738137" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yuck

[The Walrus]

Another option to confuse matters...

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102738137" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yuck

I know where you're coming from!
I wasn't sure about the top bar at all but a mate loves it!

I'm getting more confused...wife saying "don't feel like you have to stick to the budget" isn't helping!

[Mulger bill]

I'm getting more confused...wife saying "don't feel like you have to stick to the budget" isn't helping!

Here's your chance!
Full Custom.
Spec everything exactly how you want.

[jasonc]

Going custom doesn't necessity mean more expensive. +1 to custom
tapatalk for Windows Phone. For when you want it done right

[The Walrus]

So it's either of these

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102826122" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/flat- ... /102829773" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unless I build my own...

[jasonc]

ride both. buy the one you like. if you don't like either, build your own

[thecaptn]

My vote would have to go to the Sirrus, it has Zerts inserts.

All jokes aside it looks pretty similar to the Roubaix, I've had mine for 3 years and it's by far my favorite bike.

[The Walrus]

Tested the Sirrus and it was a nice ride, but it didn't blow my socks off! The bar ends were awful and they have a new stem arrangement that doesnt look straight forward to change.
My local Giant dealer doesn't allow test rides, so I've not been able to test the Comax...
I'm getting more inclined to build to my own spec, if I had any idea what I was doing or where to start...
I'm still not sure I can really appreciate the difference between alloy and carbon to be honest!

[The Walrus]

I still haven't found the right bike but there are 2 2017 models coming out.

Cannondale Quick 1 $1550
Merida Speeder 400 $1400

They seem very similar apart from the Merida has an alloy fork! I prefer the look of the Merida but does anyone have any input as to how much better the cf fork will be for comfort/smoother ride?

A full CF seems excessive for me. I'm planing 100 k's a week, occasional 50+ rides and the odd charity ride

Cheers

[The Walrus]

Merida Speeer 500 or Cannondale...

Can anyone help me decide, there's nothing much in it

[Mulger bill]

I've noticed less buzz through the bars on my Reid Harrier FG since swapping out the OEM straight blade Fe fork for an Al steered Cf curved blade Kinesis I picked up in the market here. No science, just feel but if you're planning longer weekenders then yep, worth the coin

[The Walrus]

Thanks mate.
The speeder 500 is now available again and it's got a cf fork. Nothing much between it and the Cannondale but $50 and a different colour scheme

[davehirst]

I was looking at dales, but could find no good news on the FsA bottom bracket (squeak, squeak) even the shop said I had to bring it back every 500 k for service. Honest o f them but lost the sale.
Something to look at.

[The Walrus]

Thanks Dave. I didn't know about that issue!

I've got a reasonable understanding of the basics but clueless about a BB or cranks wheels etc.

I like them both but need to decide. The Merida looks faster lol

[eeksll]

unless I am missing something, but from the first post,

the cannondale is a 9 speed
the merida is a 11 speed

I'd be jumping on the merida.

[Calvin27]

sadly the cross city has lost the road groupset and now runs mtb gearing.

I've always wondered what is the actual difference when it comes to flat bar? Pull ratios the same? Just a road crank vs mtb? cassette closer ratio?

Anyhow +1 to custom build. Just keep in mind FBR frames can be difficult to find sometimes and a road bike, unless extremerly relaxed will give mixed results.

[The Walrus]

unless I am missing something, but from the first post,

the cannondale is a 9 speed
the merida is a 11 speed

I'd be jumping on the merida.

The Cannondale is 11 speed

[eeksll]

unless I am missing something, but from the first post,

the cannondale is a 9 speed
the merida is a 11 speed

I'd be jumping on the merida.

The Cannondale is 11 speed

Well I am out of ideas. Guessing the rest of the specs for the cannondale are not as posted in the first post. But we can guess its probably shimano 5800. Same as the Merida.

Always hard to say which frame is better and which no name brand wheels are better.

I noticed the merida says the brakes are attached (I assume they mean attached to the shifter, although a quick google of the shifter seems to suggest that shifter does not come with brake lever) it would be nice to do an easy upgrade to hydraulic brakes in the future, but thats just me.

so it might come down to the carbon fork or the cannondale name

[eeksll]

Not arguing with you but that seems counter-intuitive. Could you please explain? (As someone interested in BYO).

Value is subjective. A $3k bike you love to ride is better value than a $1k bike you can't stand throwing a leg over.
There's also being able to pick exactly the build kit you want. No swapping out parts or immediate upgrades to speak of.

That makes sense. I've been thinking of value simply as a cost proposition but, of course, that's not the case at all.

At 1400 price range, I think it would be very difficult to build up a bike for that price. Really need to get a deal on everything in particular the frame and wheels.

[The Walrus]

Sorry guys but to clarify, these are the exact models

http://www.merida.com.au/en_au/bikes/re ... -3281.html

$1600

http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bike/P ... 0ec9e61579

$1550


They're both 2017 models.

I was going to buy the 500 months ago but they couldn't get my size. I waited and then the 400 came out with alloy fork for $1400 and the Cannondale was released, so they were my options. Then the 2017 range is released and then 500 is an option again!

[jasonc]

is it just me or is that a crap load of rake on the cannondale fork?
both have basically the same components
i'm not a fan of paired spokes (on the merida), but wheels are changable
both are running BB30. but i'd say both would be running a threaded BB30 which you could easily change to a shimano hollowtech (and matching crank)
ride both. choose the one that makes you want to ride more.

[The Walrus]

Thanks Jason. Appreciate your insights.

The Cannondale dies have an odd look about it and the Merida looks a bit more 'up and at em'

I can't ride either as they are both a special order locally! I've tried lower models of each for sizing but it's obviously not the same!