DEERFLY
Thanks - I decided to go to rei and pick up both bikes for a weight comparison. The cannondale is much lighter 24lbs and 29# for the marin. I am 5'2" so weight was a clear thing I could measure. I definitely like the cannondale over the marin re looks particularly. The rei guys were great, they searched for a men's as well (2013) to no avail and that was at there suggestion not mine. One thing that did sway me was one of the mechanics told me that his father insisted on a lockout fork for his bike and he never uses it.

The quick 3 sl has a carbon fiber fork and he said it will absorb a lot of vibration.

So net net after driving myself crazy, I decided..... To bite the bullet and buy the 2014 Cannondale quick sl3 - it was 849.00- I will get 85.00 back as a member, so net cost 765.00 vs. the 600.00 for the 2013 Marin. I thought 165.00 was worth the bike I was more excited about.


i so appreciate your input and help - all the input from all different bike shops was great too. I do wish more ppl would have responded here, I was a little surprised and disappointed that ppl wouldn't help a newbie out.
i think maybe I should change my id to gonnacycle99!
lol
Thanks again!