Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New Road Bike

I'm looking for a new ride. I have a 2 year old KHS that I've pretty much set up for touring (Panniers - Bob Trailer - Fenders - etc). I' d like to get a bike to just do road rides of 25 to 50 miles. I've found a '07 Felt Racing Z80 @ $799.00, a '08 Cannondale CAAD9 6 @ $799.00, & a '08 Cannondale Synapse 6 Compact @ $849.00 at some of my LBS. I also found online a '07 K2 Red Zone (Triathlon) @ $749.95. All the bikes are new. The K2 spec.'s are much better than the other bikes. Frame, components, wheels, all of better quality. But I'm not sure that a Tri bike will fill my needs. I like the idea of the aero bars to allow tucking in a head wind. But my KHS is set up to ride more upright so that is what I'm used to. My other concern is my weight. I'm 6 ft - 220. My questions are: How flexible is a tri bike? Can it be a good general road bike? Would it be a good fit for what I'm looking for or would I have to modify it? Has anyone had any experience buying a bike online? Sorry for the long post. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest staying away from teh Tri bike. It's a good bike, but when/if you want to do group rides, many are squeemish about letting bikes in that are "aero" bars.

Any of the other three choices are excellent choices. I would go with the CAAD 9 for the simple reason it is a very well regarded frame and would last years, just replace/upgrade componenets as they wear out. Lot's of Road and Crit Racers are rocking the CAAD 9 and have rave reviews.

I like the Felt too. I'm pretty sure it's most Tiagra, but not positive.

The Felt is (Tiagra-Sora 50/39/30t 9-sp 12-25T), the Cannondale CAAD9 6 (Tiagra 50/39/30t 9-sp 12-26T) & the Cannondale Synapse 6 Compact (Tiagra 50/34t 9-sp 12-26T Tiagra). Randall Scott has a 2008 K2 Mod 3.0 $799.00 (TIAGRA Drive, COMPACT (FC-4550) 50/34 9-sp 11-25 ) with Carbon Seat stays & Fork. I would have to add a visit to my LBS @ 59.95 to set it up. Thanks for the reply.

...but when/if you want to do group rides, many are squeemish about letting bikes in that are "aero" bars.



Slightly OT, but can you elaborate? Why would anyone have a problem - more risk of being gored?

Slightly OT, but can you elaborate? Why would anyone have a problem - more risk of being gored?

TT set ups are for riding more in solo, or at least crowded, situations. Being that far forward is certainly more comfy, and "aero", but the handling is not as stable as traditional drop bars, riding the hoods, or on the bar.

In racing, you are not allowed to use Aero bars in a road race or crit by USAC or UCI rules. The rules does not exist to prevent someone from gaining an advantage, but rather to protect the peleton or the pack.

If you find that you really enjoy using aero bars, there are clip ons that you use and remove if need be.

TT set ups are for riding more in solo, or at least crowded, situations. Being that far forward is certainly more comfy, and "aero", but the handling is not as stable as traditional drop bars, riding the hoods, or on the bar.

In racing, you are not allowed to use Aero bars in a road race or crit by USAC or UCI rules. The rules does not exist to prevent someone from gaining an advantage, but rather to protect the peleton or the pack.

If you find that you really enjoy using aero bars, there are clip ons that you use and remove if need be.

I have clip on aerobars on my bike and agree with Txvintage. Additionally, since the brake levers are usually found on the bar (not the aero bar) there is no immediate access to the brakes in an emergency. In a group ride situation, it is very easy to collide with other riders when in the aero position (no brakes.) The group rides that I have been on permit aerobars (do not require removal) for the ride but prohibit their use for the above mentioned reasons.

Lippy,
I had the same three choices a few months ago when I was in the hunt for a new road bike. I ended up with a Synapse 6 with the all Tiagra groupset. I have found the bike to be very very good in terms of comfort, speed, smoothness and handling. The CAAD 9 was very fast but also a bit too harsh for me. The only change I have made to the Synapse has been replacing the stock crap saddle with a Specilaized Alias. Good luck!

P.S. I believe you are also looking at the same LBS I did when I bought mine since the prices are identical to what I was quoted for the 3 choices. FWIW, I weigh 240lbs and am 6'2" so that should give you an idea from the comfort standpoint of the Synapse.

Thanks to everyone for the input. Though I'm not a member of a local bike club the comments concerning the aero bars seem very reasonable. I guess I was taken by the component level on the Tri Bike. The LBS is on Vac. until 1/16 when I'll make my choice.

Pick and choose, all good bikes with good prices. +1 on the Tri bike tho, unless you plan on doing triathalons. You can buy clip-ons for getting aero when you ride triathalons or alone. But like the other folks said, they aren't for group riding.

Couldn't wait for the LBS to come back from vacation!! I kept looking and settled on a Fuji Roubaix. They we asking $849 at my local Performance store but when I said I'd wait awile the offered 15% off. It's a new '08 that I got for $725!! Thanks to everyone for their comments.

WooHoo! It's a nice ride, enjoy.