Cyclocross - Cannondale Quick CX Rigid

Not sure if this belongs here or on the hybrid forums, but I'm looking for a cyclocross bike so hopefully someone here can help me out. Is anyone familiar with or owns this bike and can speak about its performance? I've looked on the Cannondale website and this frame appears to be different... looks more like a CAAD than the rest of their hybrid models. What I'm basically looking for is something less expensive than CAADX that I can use on the road as well as dirt/rock trails. Recently moved to Westchester, and there are some nice dirt trails I'm looking forward to exploring.

The one caveat is that all the dealers I've called no longer stock this bike, and Cannondale only has Small sizes left. I'm 5'9" and I'm not sure if that might be too small. Thanks for your help everyone.

Ask on the Hybrid forum. This is the wrong place altogether. Hybirds is of variable quality so don't take the replies too seriously.

Anyway, for now:

- I can't see what you think this bike has in common in with a CAAD. Not at all!

- If you are looking for a bike to use on and off road there is nothing special about this one and there are a LOT of other choices.

- Yes, a small would almost certainly be too small for you.

A lot of people like the Fisher Dual Spots hybrids and there are some great bargains on them right now as Trek are switching their branding to use the Fisher name less. The Specialized Crossroads is another bike in this niche, but almost every maker has them.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yeah I realized I'd probably get some snide remarks about hybrids, but that's ok. Would much rather talk to the cyclocross folks since that's ulitimately the expertise I'd want to hear from. I guess I was just looking for a less costly way to get into cross without spending over $1k. As far as the similarities with the CAADX, I feel like the seat stays and top tube look more in line with the CAAD's than with the Quicks. Also, I believe Cannondale used S.A.V.E. technology on this model. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.

The specs on that bike don't seem to justify the price. maybe the frame is really nice. The brakes, in particular, are a weak spot. The bike looks similar to something like a Kona Dew Plus, except that the Dew Plus is about $150 cheaper and has hydraulic brakes. Either would probably be OK for trail riding and short road rides.

When you say you're looking for a less costly way to get into cross, do you just mean riding on roads and trails, or do you mean cyclocross racing? I wouldn't even consider buying either of the two bikes above for cyclocross racing.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yeah I realized I'd probably get some snide remarks about hybrids, but that's ok.


It's not a question of snide remarks (go to the Road Forum for that) but of sheer lack of the familiarity with that bike that you were asking for.



Would much rather talk to the cyclocross folks since that's ulitimately the expertise I'd want to hear from. I guess I was just looking for a less costly way to get into cross without spending over $1k. As far as the similarities with the CAADX, I feel like the seat stays and top tube look more in line with the CAAD's than with the Quicks. Also, I believe Cannondale used S.A.V.E. technology on this model. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.

BikesDirect sell crossers for less than $1000; people who have bought them seem very happy. Check their website. Oh - and if you're buying a crosser as an explorer rather than a racer, try to get a triple chain ring, or at least a compact two ring with a 34 inner.

Or $1000 spent carefully on ebay will buy a LOT of bike used. (I'd counsel avoiding carbon in used bikes as the material can have hidden crash damage.)

Good luck!

Oh - and forget stuff like SAVE technology. Concentrate on the basics, not the gimmicks.

Aonex

My lack of posts prevents me from sending you a private msg, email me , I may have some thing of interest to you.

bikeva AT yahoo.com


Best

Sunset_Va