I looking to upgrade to a better bike.
The two that interest me most right now are the Cannondale cx1 and the Specialized crosstrail expert 1.
The Cannondale is $120.00 more which is ok if the components are better. I'm not sure that they are.
Both bikes feel fine, but i would like the best components I can get.
I thought you bike mechanic types would be the most knowledgeable about quality of components.
I appreciate your thoughts.


Specialized Bicycle Components


Quick CX 1 - QUICK CX - FITNESS - FITNESS & URBAN - BIKES - 2015

The Crosstrail expert disc you linked to has 2 levels better components for shifters, front and rear derailleurs and cassette, XT vs Deore. Plus it has Shimano brakes.

ok, I understand your concerns about quality components...
which one feels the best to you when your ride it?

As per my post, both feel fine.

I get that you said both bikes feel fine, but which of the fine feels best...if you actually can feel no difference, go with the one that you like the looks of the best... the actual components on both are good... one is better if you consider costing more and being lighter better, but both will function well, last a long time and have replacements readily available. It is you who will be riding it, which one do you "like" the best.

Go with the one that is at the LBS you prefer. If the same LBS sells both flip a coin.

+1. Andy

lowest cost components are made by robots.

Why is this a relevant point? In fact, most cheap stuff is made by hand because human labor is inexpensive in the developing world. If anything, I'd guess that nicer parts undergo more automation.

It's hard to exactly know, but Cannondale suspension forks are often quite nice, and I would be unsurprised if theirs was notably better than the Suntour fork on the Specialized. The associated downside is that Cannondale forks are quite specialized and probably can only be serviced by Cannondale dealers. Shimano brakes might edge out the Maguras a bit, but they're honestly fine.

The rest of the drivetrain is better on the Specialized, but it's not frankly that big a deal. They both should work well.

With that said, I feel compelled to say that I think that suspension equipped hybrids are sort of silly. They're not great mountain bikes, rob efficiency when not locked out, and cost weight when they are locked out. Most importantly--and I think a lot of consumers don't get this point--modern suspension forks require fairly regular maintenance requiring specialized tools, consumable wear items, and oil. Those two bikes probably should have the suspension serviced approximately every 100 hours or riding time, at a probable cost of $50-$100. Consider that relatively wide, supple tires at lower pressure can provide moderate off road capacity and good on road comfort without these disadvantages. Just some thoughts to keep in mind--I think that suspended hybrids make sense for some people, but people often underestimate their total cost, and underestimate how much they can get out of a rigid bike with wide tires.

So step 1 : compare likes that all sell at the Same Price Point..



Components In general
Shimano has very sophisticated production machinery .. do everything including putting each part in it's box.


the hand labor is the people putting the parts* on the frames, and packing the bike in a box for Containerized Ocean shipping ..

for the OEM factories there is a Bulk packing in pallets that are taken back to be refilled ..