Over the winter I purchased a 2nd hand bike to use as a winter/foul weather bike. Unfortunately it wasn't riding weather when I looked at it and the seller told me it was a 56cm. The bike was pristine, practically new and I talked him down to $1000 (it originally sold for almost $3000).

When I got home i took the drivetrain off, cleaned everything and shortened the cables... they were way too long. When i finally got on the bike I quickly realized it was bigger than a 56 and after measuring I found it was a 58. I did take it for a a short ride and wasn't happy with the fit, so I put it up for sale on Craigslist.

Finally, after 4 weeks it just sold for what I paid for it.

So... what do I do with the $1000? Put it back into the bank or... buy another bike?

You realize that's a rhetorical question, right?

I sure hope he does!

Buy the wife something nice?

This can only have one logical outcome.

Yes, given that what we spend on them in jewelry, clothes, cars...... they in turn spend on us for our toys, right....

First question. Does your wife know about the $1000?

My wife doesn't care.

Then you are cool. Buy a bike if that is what you want or stick it aside if you want to think about it.

Here's what I want.

I want a winter/foul weather bike. Something I can ride when there's sand, gravel and general debris on the roads. I recently rode a Trek Domane SLR with hydraulic disc brakes (no i don't plan on riding in the pro peloton) and 30mm tires... it was great but way more than I want to spend and too much of a traditional road bike.

So i'm thinking grave/xcross bike but not sure what the difference is.

I ride Sram so i'd like Rival 1 with hydro brakes and 32-35 tires.

Suggestions?

My idea of a foul weather bike for mixed terrain would have 40c or wider all terrain tires, fenders, belt drive, 7-speed or more IGH and flat or somewhat upright bars. Something that can be hosed off without fussing over the chain. And tires with tread that can be brushed off fairly quickly with a scrub brush and water to get rid of the mud. Chevron tread patterns seem like a reasonable compromise between grip and easy cleaning.

Sounds like a MTB....

I already own a Trek 8.5 Dual Sport, flat bar, 3x9 drivetrain with hydro disc and 38mm knobby tires. Problem is its 27lbs and and a tank to drag up hills and ride for any long distance on the streets. It's fine in single track trails, but I rather something I can do 30+ miles on.

After doing some looking I found this:
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bik...e-6f1c1faf4476

Rival 1x11, hydro brakes, 35mm tires

Now you are on the right track, glad we could help. plus you got to kick in 750. awesome.

^^^^^
Awesome

But it better be a really expensive bike to justify the cost of all those roses.

It's April and you're looking for a winter/foul weather bike.

One solution, of course, is to research all of the various new bike offerings and buy a brand new one. I'm sure that somebody offers exactly what you are looking for. But what fun would that be?

Or, every time that you go riding, every time that you visit a bike shop, tell everybody that you see exactly what kind of bike you are looking for. Something will pop up - always does. You've got time. The quest is always more fun than the destination.

Never too soon to start research.

I'm planning a 30 mile ride to a Cannondale store thinking they would be the best to talk about the bike and i'm sure they'rell have one there.

The Sram requirement is a limiting factor, but i'm sure X1 will catch on and be available on more models.

How old is the bike? It might be a still growing adolescent and it's mommy bought it some big cables for it to grow into. My parents used to do that to me with pants.

What a great position to be in. I would welcome you sending me a gift certificate for Performance Bike or REI and I'll jump on a nice mountain bike!

If that isn't going to work for you. Enjoy the funds captured from a lost opportunity! Hope you get yourself new bike that really satisfies you to the max!

ENJOY!

As a fellow Long Islander, I'd stay away from a 1x anything. The only way to get the gearing is to put in a wide range cassette. The jump between the gears on a flat ride would drive me nuts. My cassettes are usually 11-23 10 apd. or as close to a straight block as I can get these days. On my winter bike with the 28mm tires I have a triple as this bike does double duty as my hill bike, where as my carbon only has a compact.

As well, and from a less then happy experience, after you hit the C-Dale store on Old Country, head across the street to REI. I found the C-Dale sales folks were not interested in selling me a bike at a price that was competitive with Brands or The Bike Junkie. They were firm at near list, so it was Bye, Bye. Wondered as to their existence in this store at this location and I LIKE C-Dales too.

REI sometimes has some interesting non-racing stuff on the floor. I've seen Marin's with disc's and cross tires on occasion.

I spend some time at Brands with Eric this afternoon. I am a bit concerned about the 1x being a 40 crank with a 11-28 cassette. My road bike has a compact 50/34 crank with a 11-28 and it's fine. I'm not worried about top end, but want to make sure the 40/28 will be enough for me to ride some hills like Stillwell and Fish Hatchery. We looked at options like putting a 11-32 cassette on but the bike comes with a short case that can't handle anything larger.

I'm going to hold off and see if i can find one to ride and checkout or workout the rations and see if i can simulate them on my road bike.

There's no need to rush into this since I have 6 months before i'd really ride it.

Hah....we just got a good 18 inches of heavy wet snow this weekend. Any riding fer me the next few days gonna on my winter/bad weather ride....a 21d Townie.

How's retirement been treating you so far? Still thinking of moving west?

Hahahahahahah

So I learned there's a difference in the geometry between a gravel bike and a xcross bike. And after researching a half dozen different ones the Cannondale Super X Rival 1 seems to be the one for me. It has Sram groupset, hydro disc brakes, wider tires 35mm and it's carbon for weight savings, it checks all the boxes. The only issue is the gearing with a 40T chainring and a 11-28 cassette. I can go to a 11-32 but i have to change the RD from a short cage to a medium cage. I priced the parts at $150 from a online vendor. I'm gonna ask the if they will give me a equal credit if I buy the parts from them and give them the "take offs". After all, this will be the 3rd bike I purchased from them in the past 18 months. I hope to get out the door for under $2000 including the bike, upgrades, pedals and tax.