joddo

Want a lightweight fast commuter with smooth shifting and versatility for longer rides for some degree of fitness.... I'm not a cycling expert and my current bike is an older Trek 7200 hybrid with street tires. I'm not an expert on componentry but they all seem well-equipped. Would love to hear what you think the pros and cons are.

The three finalists include

Fuji Absolute 1.1d
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-11-d

Cannondale Bad Boy 5
https://www.cannondale.com/2012-bad-boy-5-20118

Scott Sub 20
https://www.rei.com/product/842598/sc...b-20-bike-2013

phillybill

I have a bad boy 1 , so I am a bit bias

dynaryder

Best idea is to ride all three and decide which fits you best/rides the best. Of the three,the Fuji has the best specs and the carbon fork should give the best ride.

joddo

Why do you say the fuji has the best specs? what's better about it?

dynaryder

Carbon fork and full Tiagra groupo are better than the other bikes' alloy forks and Alivio/Deore.

MickeyMaguire

I have the 2012 Absolute2 and the Tiagra components make a big difference on shifting. I might add, I love the bike.

joddo

The Salesman at the LBS told me that that CBB5 is "overpriced" and that I'd be paying for "the look." I know it doesn't have a carbon fork and has "entry level" components but what do you think of the ride and handling?

phillybill

I like the fit of the frame, vs the Fx line (which I had a few years back). and the ride is sporty enough for me without being a full flat-bar road bike (which I have done many times in the past). The bike goes up hills well and I appreciate the little extra shock in the lefty fork (main reason I got that model). I could of gotten a full carbon hybrid, but for me the fork was the big thing, a bit lighter than a normal shock for. The 10speed drive components work great and I love the disc brakes, and the wheels are sturdy.

No going down a model you still get the lefty fork W/o the shock, but I think its a great ride. The other components.... well your getting a cannondale frame and a bike that has a greater resale value, and parts can be replaced as they wear out... but the parts are not that bad. Also the headsest has the 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 taper, witch I think gives it a nice ride. And I have ridden carbon forks on hybrids... this is a bit better (for me), but the geometry of the frame has something to do with that also.

hope that helps some