Seek(ing) Bad Boy
 

Hahahaha Thought it was a funny title considering the following.

I'm struggling with the purchase of a new commuter bike. I have narrowed it down to two brand new bikes. The Giant seek 1 , a 2012 model. Flat black. looks sweet. $650.

Or the Cannondale Bad Boy 9, again sick looking with the flat black paint job. this is a 2014 at $750.

My problem is that not only is each bike awesome in their own way, I just can't decide between buying the older but still new Giant with probably better components or the newer Cannondale that is a level lower in that regard.

Any advice would be absolutely helpful.

I should say that this investment is for commuting 30 Km's round trip daily. On paved roadways and mostly paved bike trails.

Thank you in advance.

Buy something cheaper if its gonna be locked up all day it will eventually get stolen

I say go for the sleek 1. It's a better value vs MSRP and spec list vs bad boy.

With both, some CNC rims might be a good investment, as they are a bit sturdier.

Keep us posted!

- Andy

Test ride both for twenty minutes, each. Climb the same steep hill with both. One of 'em will call your name and have you dreaming about it! :D

Thanks, that's exactly what I've been struggling with. I was all set to go with the Seek then I came across the Bad Boy. Argh. I thought I had it beat. I guess there is no wrong decision when rolling on two wheels.

I so wish both bikes where from the same shop. Would definitely have helped. The thing is, both have + and -. I have had the Seek in mind but I guess I just needed a push. Thanks Ya'll

That's funny. As I will be riding to work. It will be safe in my office. And I want to have fun, and can't see that happening on a wally world special. Also Victoria is not quite as bad as Vancouver. Hahaha, not quite. But getting there.
Cheers

Well if its in your office that's different, get a good lock though for when you go out bike theft has been one of the few crimes on a big rise while most everything else is declining. A kryptonite chain or u lock and a chain or cable to lock the front wheel to the frame and domething to lock the seat to the frame

Personally speaking, the Jamis Coda Elite, the Giant Seek, and the Cannondale Bad Boy, are my favorite hybrid bikes in the whole wide world. Therefore, I do see your point in terms of aesthetics. Things can really get confusing after you checkout how the Bad Boy gets outfitted in Great Britain. www.cannondale.com/gbr/

Now that can really perk the imagination in terms of Bad Boy potential! :D

I recently bought from Reid Cycles. If you are in Australia, they're a great business, but shipping will be expensive if you're in the US. I bought a Reid Osprey road bike for $470, Aussie dollars. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378203
There is a $270 dollar one, but I wouldn't recommend it. Check them out, you can't go wrong. Alloy frame, carbon forks, shimano sti shifters and it weighs 10kg.

Hope that helped :)

Well, Thanks for throwing the Jamis into the mix. As I wasn't confused enough already:D Nice bike. Will have to look into where they are sold in my area. As for the Great Britian Bad Boy. That Link took me to the title page, just as though I went to the Canadian site. If you have Pictures of or links to the Bad Boy done up, Id love to see them. May be the tipping point.

Nice ride. But I'm just getting back into cycling and my back would perfer the more upright position of a flatbar. At least so I'm told. As I progress and get stronger (loose a few lbs. through riding) I have already figured that a bike like yours would be the next one. Cheers. Reid Cycles.

Go back to the website and click on "Urban Recreation" bikes.

Let me also add...the LBS that offers the Bad Boy also includes 3 free tuneups. 1st being two months in. the other two have no expiry date. Plus 10 % off accessories for life. They are quite a professional shop with a couple of measurement bikes for proper setup, one even hooked up to a computer and camera. Probably the most high end race bikes in town too. So I do feel that I will always be looked after. The Shop that has the Seek, much much smaller. No mention of included value (tune ups / discounts). Nice enough guy, I think it's more of a husband and wife team. But I almost feel that I would be just a one time customer in that regard. Looking at making this decision next weekend. I will find out for sure what is included when I go for the final rides on these bikes.

One more thing....The giant has dot4 hydraulics not mineral oil. Any thoughts.

Thanks for you input folks

Ya that's where I went to. Practically the same as the north american site. Funny that the Great Britain site doesn't have the lefty fork version. And different models too. Must be the build, component wise. I have been surfing around the net and some suggest putting on 26 inch with fatty tires. Now that would defeat commute time but this does sound bad ass.

Sure, there's a flat bar model as well, you can get the 270 dollar one in flat bar :)
And your back will get used to it, just stretch, get a bit more flexible, and you can reach the hoods. The flat bar is 10.5 kg so is a bit heavier, still a very light flatbar. You'd be better without suspension, as it absorbs some of the pedalling power, and makes a bike quite heavy. So no suspension is best, and is not uncomfortable. Just watch riding off curbs, you may want to stand up.
Good luck bro ;)

This is the Osprey Flat Bar

Oh and btw; Road bikes for commuting are not too stretched out, as long as you have the saddle slightly lower and a short stem or riser stem. I also have a bad back, knees and am not flexible. I use a high-saddle position because I love riding fast, and so I can show off to my school friends (Im 14) ;) Tip: Don't ski... This is why I have a bad back and terrible knees, so I can't ride a bike for too long at one time. Also, get a part-time job (I do chemist deliveries for an hour and a half every week) of cycling, and you'll notice that you will in fact be getting fitter, and more flexible. You will also respect your bike even more then usual, as if you ride too jard in traffic, as I have done, you may put a dint in your bike and someone's car (also as I have done). The Reid Osprey Flat Bar is a great bike, feels the same as the drop bar version, just more upright. Out of a Giant Seek 1 and Cannondale Bad Boy 9, I would say the Giant. And don't get a lefty fork. Never. Always have a fork covering both sides of your front wheel. Fixies are also good for commuting, as they are so simple. And because they are simple, they are often cheap, and durable steel frames are common, which means your bike won't snap on a washing line like with aluminium and carbon-fibre. Hope that one helped too! :D