Synapse/Roubaix Style Road vs Flat Bar Hybrid (Quick) for Wives
09-02-13, 05:12 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Synapse/Roubaix Style Road vs Flat Bar Hybrid (Quick) for Wives
Hi, I am a newer owner of a Cannondale Synapse 5, and absolutely love it. However, it has gotten the wife into thinking that she needs something other than her clunky Raleigh Comfort Hybrid (extremely upright, front shocks, seatpost shock, seat springs).
So I took her out to my favorite LBS who is primarily a Cannondale dealer. I first had her try out the Synapse 6/7, and then just for the heck of it had her try out the CAAD 8 and 9. She liked the Synapse the most, however she wanted to find something in a lower price bracket.. So she found the Quicks. She most preferred the Quick 4 (Alloy frame, carbon fork, all rigid, possibly 32c tires, Alivio RD/ M191 Shifters, Flatbar), which was more to my dismay because I wanted her on something that wouldn't have me coasting all day.
Have any of you gentleman (or females) have any experience in buying a hybrid vs road for your spouses? I rarely get a chance to pedal with me being on my Synapse, and my granny gear is hardly slow enough on our climbs to stay next to her. FWIW, she is likely in better physical shape than I am, probably around 130 and 5'6" while I am 185 and 5'10" - She is a runner and I don't think it's physical ability holding her back, rather, the bike and actual cycling experience.
My main concern is that the Quick (while hybrid and more "comfortable") may still hold her back from keeping up with me... Or would the difference be subtle? I think she'd ultimately enjoy the ride more if she can go further and faster. Thanks for any advice!
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...rformance-road
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...creation-urban
^^ To get a good look at both the Synapse models (2013) and the Quick Models (2013)
So I took her out to my favorite LBS who is primarily a Cannondale dealer. I first had her try out the Synapse 6/7, and then just for the heck of it had her try out the CAAD 8 and 9. She liked the Synapse the most, however she wanted to find something in a lower price bracket.. So she found the Quicks. She most preferred the Quick 4 (Alloy frame, carbon fork, all rigid, possibly 32c tires, Alivio RD/ M191 Shifters, Flatbar), which was more to my dismay because I wanted her on something that wouldn't have me coasting all day.
Have any of you gentleman (or females) have any experience in buying a hybrid vs road for your spouses? I rarely get a chance to pedal with me being on my Synapse, and my granny gear is hardly slow enough on our climbs to stay next to her. FWIW, she is likely in better physical shape than I am, probably around 130 and 5'6" while I am 185 and 5'10" - She is a runner and I don't think it's physical ability holding her back, rather, the bike and actual cycling experience.
My main concern is that the Quick (while hybrid and more "comfortable") may still hold her back from keeping up with me... Or would the difference be subtle? I think she'd ultimately enjoy the ride more if she can go further and faster. Thanks for any advice!
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...rformance-road
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...creation-urban
^^ To get a good look at both the Synapse models (2013) and the Quick Models (2013)
09-02-13, 05:40 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
She needs a road bike if she's to keep up with you.
09-02-13, 05:41 AM
#3
Senior Member
A few thoughts.
- you mention she wanted a lower price range bike. Is it budget that is pushing her to the Quicks? Maybe an uncertainty as far as how much she'll enjoy the bike etc. Getting a more expensive bike would be a bigger mental/emotional commitment. It's also going further outside her comfort zone.
- A big part of road fit/speed is the type of fit, meaning how the rider fits the bike. Tires are pretty significant, and after that the gearing and the overall weight of the bike. I ran into a similar mental block with a friend of mine. She happened to be a 40+ woman who was relatively fit, led aerobic classes at that time, but believed that she had to be seated totally upright to ride a bike like a 3 speed. Her hybrid, which I happened to sell her when I first started working in the shop, was set up as such ("customer is always right" kind of thing). I got her hybrid, put a longer/lower stem, straight bars with bar ends, raised the saddle to a more appropriate height, and basically replicated a road position on her hybrid. She was riding pretty quickly right away. The only investments on her part were the stem (a take-off), a bar (another take-off), bar ends, and some time. Even the cables were fine lengthwise.
Actually now that I think of it I think I put one of those Profile multi-position bars which had built-in bar ends.
I think that the Quicks would lend themselves to this kind of modification. Longer, lower stem, straight bars (as narrow as possible - I usually cut down the bars to the minimum possible, like on my own mountain bike which is primarily a road-going bike), bar ends for multiple positions (for longer rides, for more aero, to help use more of the glutes/hamstrings/etc). The rest of the bike should be pretty good for most riding.
All this is assuming that the Quick is the more likely of the two bikes.
- Finally to even out speeds you could do a couple things. To physically slow you down you could install larger tires. They'd be more comfortable, they'll be more durable, and they'll slow you down just a touch. To help her speed up you could haver her draft you. It would require another mental hurdle but it really saves a lot of energy.
- you mention she wanted a lower price range bike. Is it budget that is pushing her to the Quicks? Maybe an uncertainty as far as how much she'll enjoy the bike etc. Getting a more expensive bike would be a bigger mental/emotional commitment. It's also going further outside her comfort zone.
- A big part of road fit/speed is the type of fit, meaning how the rider fits the bike. Tires are pretty significant, and after that the gearing and the overall weight of the bike. I ran into a similar mental block with a friend of mine. She happened to be a 40+ woman who was relatively fit, led aerobic classes at that time, but believed that she had to be seated totally upright to ride a bike like a 3 speed. Her hybrid, which I happened to sell her when I first started working in the shop, was set up as such ("customer is always right" kind of thing). I got her hybrid, put a longer/lower stem, straight bars with bar ends, raised the saddle to a more appropriate height, and basically replicated a road position on her hybrid. She was riding pretty quickly right away. The only investments on her part were the stem (a take-off), a bar (another take-off), bar ends, and some time. Even the cables were fine lengthwise.
Actually now that I think of it I think I put one of those Profile multi-position bars which had built-in bar ends.
I think that the Quicks would lend themselves to this kind of modification. Longer, lower stem, straight bars (as narrow as possible - I usually cut down the bars to the minimum possible, like on my own mountain bike which is primarily a road-going bike), bar ends for multiple positions (for longer rides, for more aero, to help use more of the glutes/hamstrings/etc). The rest of the bike should be pretty good for most riding.
All this is assuming that the Quick is the more likely of the two bikes.
- Finally to even out speeds you could do a couple things. To physically slow you down you could install larger tires. They'd be more comfortable, they'll be more durable, and they'll slow you down just a touch. To help her speed up you could haver her draft you. It would require another mental hurdle but it really saves a lot of energy.
09-02-13, 05:52 AM
#4
Senior Member
One more thing is a tandem. The Missus and I have a tandem and it allows us to ride together regardless of our fitness discrepancies (I race, she doesn't even ride recreationally). It requires a huge amount of trust and communication - in fact I didn't commit to marrying her until we did a number of tandem rides. It was as much a test for me as it was for her.
The key would be to get a tandem with a stiff frame. Flexible frame tandems are hard to pilot and feel really insecure.
If you can find a used Cannondale or similar type tandem that would be ideal. Tandems are either ridden a ton or not at all, and the ones not ridden at all are the bargains. With tandems don't worry about performance, just look at fit and get a thud-buster seat post for the back seat. We have a virtually-stock Cannondale, with contact points changed (bars, stem, saddles, thud-buster, pedals) and for me I swapped the levers (to Campy 10s - the rest of the bike is Shimano 9s and it works flawlessly) and put a closer ratio cassette in back (11-23? instead of the 11-32 or whatever was on there).
The key would be to get a tandem with a stiff frame. Flexible frame tandems are hard to pilot and feel really insecure.
If you can find a used Cannondale or similar type tandem that would be ideal. Tandems are either ridden a ton or not at all, and the ones not ridden at all are the bargains. With tandems don't worry about performance, just look at fit and get a thud-buster seat post for the back seat. We have a virtually-stock Cannondale, with contact points changed (bars, stem, saddles, thud-buster, pedals) and for me I swapped the levers (to Campy 10s - the rest of the bike is Shimano 9s and it works flawlessly) and put a closer ratio cassette in back (11-23? instead of the 11-32 or whatever was on there).
09-02-13, 07:18 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A few thoughts.
- you mention she wanted a lower price range bike. Is it budget that is pushing her to the Quicks? Maybe an uncertainty as far as how much she'll enjoy the bike etc. Getting a more expensive bike would be a bigger mental/emotional commitment. It's also going further outside her comfort zone.
- A big part of road fit/speed is the type of fit, meaning how the rider fits the bike. Tires are pretty significant, and after that the gearing and the overall weight of the bike. I ran into a similar mental block with a friend of mine. She happened to be a 40+ woman who was relatively fit, led aerobic classes at that time, but believed that she had to be seated totally upright to ride a bike like a 3 speed. Her hybrid, which I happened to sell her when I first started working in the shop, was set up as such ("customer is always right" kind of thing). I got her hybrid, put a longer/lower stem, straight bars with bar ends, raised the saddle to a more appropriate height, and basically replicated a road position on her hybrid. She was riding pretty quickly right away. The only investments on her part were the stem (a take-off), a bar (another take-off), bar ends, and some time. Even the cables were fine lengthwise.
Actually now that I think of it I think I put one of those Profile multi-position bars which had built-in bar ends.
I think that the Quicks would lend themselves to this kind of modification. Longer, lower stem, straight bars (as narrow as possible - I usually cut down the bars to the minimum possible, like on my own mountain bike which is primarily a road-going bike), bar ends for multiple positions (for longer rides, for more aero, to help use more of the glutes/hamstrings/etc). The rest of the bike should be pretty good for most riding.
All this is assuming that the Quick is the more likely of the two bikes.
- Finally to even out speeds you could do a couple things. To physically slow you down you could install larger tires. They'd be more comfortable, they'll be more durable, and they'll slow you down just a touch. To help her speed up you could haver her draft you. It would require another mental hurdle but it really saves a lot of energy.
- you mention she wanted a lower price range bike. Is it budget that is pushing her to the Quicks? Maybe an uncertainty as far as how much she'll enjoy the bike etc. Getting a more expensive bike would be a bigger mental/emotional commitment. It's also going further outside her comfort zone.
- A big part of road fit/speed is the type of fit, meaning how the rider fits the bike. Tires are pretty significant, and after that the gearing and the overall weight of the bike. I ran into a similar mental block with a friend of mine. She happened to be a 40+ woman who was relatively fit, led aerobic classes at that time, but believed that she had to be seated totally upright to ride a bike like a 3 speed. Her hybrid, which I happened to sell her when I first started working in the shop, was set up as such ("customer is always right" kind of thing). I got her hybrid, put a longer/lower stem, straight bars with bar ends, raised the saddle to a more appropriate height, and basically replicated a road position on her hybrid. She was riding pretty quickly right away. The only investments on her part were the stem (a take-off), a bar (another take-off), bar ends, and some time. Even the cables were fine lengthwise.
Actually now that I think of it I think I put one of those Profile multi-position bars which had built-in bar ends.
I think that the Quicks would lend themselves to this kind of modification. Longer, lower stem, straight bars (as narrow as possible - I usually cut down the bars to the minimum possible, like on my own mountain bike which is primarily a road-going bike), bar ends for multiple positions (for longer rides, for more aero, to help use more of the glutes/hamstrings/etc). The rest of the bike should be pretty good for most riding.
All this is assuming that the Quick is the more likely of the two bikes.
- Finally to even out speeds you could do a couple things. To physically slow you down you could install larger tires. They'd be more comfortable, they'll be more durable, and they'll slow you down just a touch. To help her speed up you could haver her draft you. It would require another mental hurdle but it really saves a lot of energy.
I think that a tandem is out of our current riding ability (she isn't even 100% stable on her hybrid), however I think that once she got used to a road bike, it would be well worth it. I think I may have to take my road bike with me to have her test ride a few, and go for a short 5-mile test ride and see how it works out. She seemed very comfortable on the road bike whether she says so or not, and I think once she took it out for a 10 mile ride or more, may prefer it. I personally have not been able to get back on a MTB or hybrid since getting used to speed.
I really like the synapse 7 for price (only 150 more than the quick she is after, on sale) and it is about twice the bike the Quick is (in my opinion). However, I will ultimately let her decide, hopefully we can get one ordered in soon!
09-02-13, 01:52 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bangkok: hottest average temperature :(
Posts: 628
Bikes: *1998 GT Forte Ti 700c, Totem KDS-D 26" fatbike, BirdyGT 18", Brompton M2LX 16"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
I think you are guessing correct, the Quick will actually slow her down.
I am no expert but feel she really needs a proper road bike.
Proper road drop bars allow you to move your hands around so you can ride faster for a longer time.
Your body (aero drag) is the biggest thing slowing you down so you want to have the proper body posture that a road bike gives.
Road frames are designed around a better aero riding position, city bikes are not.
Plus the rider feels more confident going fast in the road position over the upright city bike posture.
Maybe show her this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-XyslkJSuU
Of course the gearing is the main issue to the outcome but the geometry and weight does make a difference.
I managed to get my straight bar minivelo up to 26mph once but with only 1 hand position, I wasn't able to do this for a long time.
I think getting a city bike will keep her from reaching her potential and be a waste of money.
Otherwise you will be riding slow as mentioned.
It would be easy to make a road bike slow/more comfy with a flat bar, but impossible to make a city bike reach the full potential of a road bike due to the frame's relaxed geometry.
If money is the issue, buy a used road bike, there are great deals everywhere.
I am no expert but feel she really needs a proper road bike.
Proper road drop bars allow you to move your hands around so you can ride faster for a longer time.
Your body (aero drag) is the biggest thing slowing you down so you want to have the proper body posture that a road bike gives.
Road frames are designed around a better aero riding position, city bikes are not.
Plus the rider feels more confident going fast in the road position over the upright city bike posture.
Maybe show her this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-XyslkJSuU
Of course the gearing is the main issue to the outcome but the geometry and weight does make a difference.
I managed to get my straight bar minivelo up to 26mph once but with only 1 hand position, I wasn't able to do this for a long time.
I think getting a city bike will keep her from reaching her potential and be a waste of money.
Otherwise you will be riding slow as mentioned.
It would be easy to make a road bike slow/more comfy with a flat bar, but impossible to make a city bike reach the full potential of a road bike due to the frame's relaxed geometry.
If money is the issue, buy a used road bike, there are great deals everywhere.
09-02-13, 02:51 PM
#7
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
To go 30 miles it takes approximately:
118 minutes @ 15 mph
111 minutes @ 16 mph
105 minutes @ 17 mph
100 minutes @ 18 mph
What type of bike does your partner want? Making you partner get a bike they don't want is a good way to find yourself riding solo.
I really think you are exaggerating about things. Unless you partner rides at 5mph I don't see any reason why you would have to be coasting all day.
I'm a 20mph rider and my partner is a 12mph and we have been able to do 60 mile rides together without issues. I can ride a mtn bike pulling 25 pounds of gear in a trailer and still out climb my partner no matter how great of a bike she was on.
Unless you are racing, I think you might be looking at this all wrong. Think of it this way, now you get to ride an extra 10 minutes together and she will finish happy and want to ride with you again.
09-02-13, 02:57 PM
#8
Senior Member
Road bikes are more difficult to fit than an upright hybrid. She probably needs to try a half-dozen frames/bikes to really find one that fits.
Finding a second bike that fits is much easier than a first bike simply because you don't know what to look for. You basically just have to keep trying until you get the "right" one.
Finding a second bike that fits is much easier than a first bike simply because you don't know what to look for. You basically just have to keep trying until you get the "right" one.
09-02-13, 03:49 PM
#10
Speechless
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,842
Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times
in
16 Posts
If she is drafting you, there is no reason in the world she can't ride a Quick as fast as you are on the Synapse. Narrow bars, good Ergon grips with bar ends, and 25 mm slicks and there will be little difference.
09-02-13, 05:45 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Plus the rider feels more confident going fast in the road position over the upright city bike posture.
Maybe show her this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-XyslkJSuU
Of course the gearing is the main issue to the outcome but the geometry and weight does make a difference.
I managed to get my straight bar minivelo up to 26mph once but with only 1 hand position, I wasn't able to do this for a long time.
I think getting a city bike will keep her from reaching her potential and be a waste of money.
Otherwise you will be riding slow as mentioned.
It would be easy to make a road bike slow/more comfy with a flat bar, but impossible to make a city bike reach the full potential of a road bike due to the frame's relaxed geometry.
If money is the issue, buy a used road bike, there are great deals everywhere.
Maybe show her this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-XyslkJSuU
Of course the gearing is the main issue to the outcome but the geometry and weight does make a difference.
I managed to get my straight bar minivelo up to 26mph once but with only 1 hand position, I wasn't able to do this for a long time.
I think getting a city bike will keep her from reaching her potential and be a waste of money.
Otherwise you will be riding slow as mentioned.
It would be easy to make a road bike slow/more comfy with a flat bar, but impossible to make a city bike reach the full potential of a road bike due to the frame's relaxed geometry.
If money is the issue, buy a used road bike, there are great deals everywhere.
You never said what type of riding you are going to do with your partner. How fast are you? How fast is your partner? How far do you plan to ride together? Can you use real numbers?
To go 30 miles it takes approximately:
118 minutes @ 15 mph
111 minutes @ 16 mph
105 minutes @ 17 mph
100 minutes @ 18 mph
To go 30 miles it takes approximately:
118 minutes @ 15 mph
111 minutes @ 16 mph
105 minutes @ 17 mph
100 minutes @ 18 mph
When together, we tend to average around 11-12 mph, but it *seems* I am coasting the entire time.. I just like to get a workout. I have to wear out my brakes down even the smallest hills whilst she pedals.
If she is drafting you, there is no reason in the world she can't ride a Quick as fast as you are on the Synapse. Narrow bars, good Ergon grips with bar ends, and 25 mm slicks and there will be little difference.
09-02-13, 05:46 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh, and to add - I also don't want to be back in this same boat next year, after having bought the Quick.. Where it's not up to her standards and she then wants a road bike. I'd rather skip that expensive stepping stone if possible.
09-02-13, 06:03 PM
#13
Texas Tornado
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 278
Bikes: '14 Specialized Roubaix SL 4 Full Ultegra 6800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
.
I really think you are exaggerating about things. Unless you partner rides at 5mph I don't see any reason why you would have to be coasting all day.
I'm a 20mph rider and my partner is a 12mph and we have been able to do 60 mile rides together without issues. I can ride a mtn bike pulling 25 pounds of gear in a trailer and still out climb my partner no matter how great of a bike she was on.
Unless you are racing, I think you might be looking at this all wrong. Think of it this way, now you get to ride an extra 10 minutes together and she will finish happy and want to ride with you again.
I really think you are exaggerating about things. Unless you partner rides at 5mph I don't see any reason why you would have to be coasting all day.
I'm a 20mph rider and my partner is a 12mph and we have been able to do 60 mile rides together without issues. I can ride a mtn bike pulling 25 pounds of gear in a trailer and still out climb my partner no matter how great of a bike she was on.
Unless you are racing, I think you might be looking at this all wrong. Think of it this way, now you get to ride an extra 10 minutes together and she will finish happy and want to ride with you again.
09-02-13, 06:10 PM
#14
SuperGimp
Oh, another fun bike toy if you're riding together - I got one of these for my son and I (ebay is about half the price). https://www.cardosystems.com/us/cardo-bk/cardo-bk-1-duo
Now he can chatter for the full ride, even if he is 50 feet behind me (dad, wait up!) so he has more fun.
09-02-13, 07:42 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So what? you're not going to be riding the bike, she is. If you get something you like... you'll be riding solo. if you get something she likes, you can only HOPE that in a year she'll want a real road bike. I don't think the quick will be anywhere near as slow as what she's riding now, so maybe it's not an issue.
Oh, another fun bike toy if you're riding together - I got one of these for my son and I (ebay is about half the price). https://www.cardosystems.com/us/cardo-bk/cardo-bk-1-duo
Now he can chatter for the full ride, even if he is 50 feet behind me (dad, wait up!) so he has more fun.
Oh, another fun bike toy if you're riding together - I got one of these for my son and I (ebay is about half the price). https://www.cardosystems.com/us/cardo-bk/cardo-bk-1-duo
Now he can chatter for the full ride, even if he is 50 feet behind me (dad, wait up!) so he has more fun.
Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys.
09-02-13, 07:55 PM
#16
I drank the Kool-Aid!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 562
Bikes: Rivendell Roadini, Rivendell Charlie Gallop Protovelo, Rivendell Clem L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Words of wisdom. Maybe she doesn't care about going as fast and just wants to enjoy a ride with you. Get her what she wants, ride at her pace and enjoy every single minute of it.
09-02-13, 09:18 PM
#17
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I tend to average 18 or so mph on my solo sides under 20 miles, and 16-17 on longer, 50+ mile rides, of course varying with hill sand wind.
When together, we tend to average around 11-12 mph, but it *seems* I am coasting the entire time.. I just like to get a workout. I have to wear out my brakes down even the smallest hills whilst she pedals.
When together, we tend to average around 11-12 mph, but it *seems* I am coasting the entire time.. I just like to get a workout. I have to wear out my brakes down even the smallest hills whilst she pedals.
If your partner picks the Quick now and then in 2 years wants a road bike, be happy that she is still riding.
09-02-13, 09:57 PM
#18
Farmer tan
I"ve been down this road -- similar situation. Wife ended up getting the same model Allez as I have (in her size), and our speeds were still very uneven. I ride by myself when I want a workout.
09-05-13, 07:32 AM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You have to change this part of your thinking, trust me as I learned the hard way. When you ride with your partner, go and enjoy the ride, use it as a recovery ride, work on little things like spinning....do everything BUT DO NOT try to get a work out. Accept the fact that you will not get a work out. If/when your partner improves and gets faster, wants to do longer rides, consider it a bonus.
If your partner picks the Quick now and then in 2 years wants a road bike, be happy that she is still riding.
If your partner picks the Quick now and then in 2 years wants a road bike, be happy that she is still riding.
This is the mindset I'll need to stick with. We're going to go check out the quick's here again soon. I test rode one and it doesn't feel like a tank at all (I thought it might) handles almost just as responsively as my synapse, although less aggressive (where the synapse is already pretty relaxed).. Which is just what she is after. I may get some bar ends for her if she ends up riding it a lot. It will be great for the rough-ish roads here in Michigan, especially as it gets colder.
I've actually just discovered that there is a pretty decent looking bike co op in my area that I will be checking out as well - So I can fix up some wheels I have laying around for the trainer finally, and get my work outs done there at night
09-05-13, 08:28 AM
#20
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Trainers give better workouts anyway, if you can handle putting in the time on them.
09-05-13, 10:18 AM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just not nearly as much fun, plus don't get to work on correcting my farmer's tan. But I definitely will be logging some trainer hours this winter.. I may build up a winter beater bike too.
09-05-13, 12:50 PM
#22
Senior Member
Lots of good info so far. Being a Cannondale dealer, did they have any "relaxed geo" road bikes on sale. She can probably get an alloy Synapse on sale by getting last years model. Nothing wrong with a hybrid, but if she finds the right road bike she just might enjoy it a lot.
Performance bike is having some nice sells right now too. They have three stores in MI. One in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, and Novi. I am not sure if any of those are really close to you but worth a look.
This bike is $699 with a mix of Sora/Tiagra/105
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400309__400309
This one has lower end comps (Sora) but only $549
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1128437_-1
Performance bike is having some nice sells right now too. They have three stores in MI. One in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, and Novi. I am not sure if any of those are really close to you but worth a look.
This bike is $699 with a mix of Sora/Tiagra/105
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400309__400309
This one has lower end comps (Sora) but only $549
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1128437_-1
09-05-13, 08:29 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 122
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Got her the quick 4 tonight! Definitely was the best choice. She has upped her speed astronomically, and we had our first ride without an argument and excessive braking on my part in a while. She made it all the way up some rough climbs and kept her breath enough to hold a conversation where she was normally out of breath and mad at me for talking. Very happy with the purchase, although, I may have been able to get something similar cheaper - Our bikes "matching" is a very big part for her.
09-05-13, 09:20 PM
#25
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
Got her the quick 4 tonight! Definitely was the best choice. She has upped her speed astronomically, and we had our first ride without an argument and excessive braking on my part in a while. She made it all the way up some rough climbs and kept her breath enough to hold a conversation where she was normally out of breath and mad at me for talking. Very happy with the purchase, although, I may have been able to get something similar cheaper - Our bikes "matching" is a very big part for her.
