newbie In need of assistance picking a bike
 

My needs are fairly simple, fun rides around town, brewery stops, maybe a little fitness riding but prefer the versatility of a hybrid-like bike. I’ve done a lot of internet research and know I need to go ride them to get a feel but which cannondale cx would fit those requirements?

Budget is around $1000 and just want something with quality components that will last awhile (not a hardcore rider today and don’t plan on being on in the future). I am really just looking for the best bang for the buck.

If anyone has any other suggestions similar to the cannondale cx I am open to hearing those as well.

I’m glad there is a forum for us new people to get expert opinions!

Welcome to the asylum.

RE, your question: fit is the critical issue in terms of comfort and one's desire to get on the bike and ride. So when you look at a particular model, discern whether it is a fit in terms of your body (height, inseam length, and reach).

The fit factor is the human side of the purpose, design, construction and “layout” factors in a given bicycle. With a view to history, and with recumbents and folding bikes factored out, the big three designs boil down to road bikes, hybrids, and mountain bikes. All that said, fit is an inexact science.

There are online bike fit calculators that can get you to within cm's or quarter-inches of what you need in terms of geometry for a proper fit. Also, most of the big-name bike brands offer charts at their web site that can give you an idea of how your physique matches what they produce in order to assure a proper fit. You can do a web search for the various brands by name and find those tools. I'm suggesting the online or brand-name geometry chart route because an LBS is going to want to charge you for producing the same info. They should include the minor setup adjustments as part of the purchase. If they refuse, it becomes an issue of what my long departed old school grocer friend called "too much sugar for a nickle."

At your budget you have plenty of options. My thought is to get your personal fit reference points firmly in mind, then ride a few to see what feels right. You'll suddenly know it when you are effortlessly riding along, not conscious of any physical tension or discomfort.

Again, welcome to the community, and best of luck in the search.

If you're already looking at the Cannondale store, check out the Treadwell. By your description of not being a hardcore rider (now or in the future), and your riding generally being poking around town, the Treadwell may be perfect for you. It's got relatively large 27.5x2" tires for comfort. The Specialized Roll and Trek Verve are other bikes similar in nature. Good luck!

bike for bar hopping? trek mutitrack 700 $20

I recently picked up a Specialized Roll Comp X1 and it’s perfect for what you’ve described. Best bang for your buck I think with the 1x10 Deore setup and the smooooooth and simple ride.

You’ll appreciate it after a brewery tour ;)

If you’re asking specifically about the CX line, I think the Quick CX 3 would work for you. It steps up from a 7-speed to and 8-speed cassette (compared to the next model down), and that would more than suffice for the type of riding you describe.

If you’re willing to consider other Cannondale lines, the Quick 3 (without the front suspension) would be more fitness oriented. You said you may want to do some fitness riding, so that would be one to look at if you’re thinking more seriously about that.

On the other hand, if you see very little fitness riding in your future, the Cannondale Treadwell 2 looks like a great bike for casual riding. It’s got a 1x9 drive train, so no front derailleur to worry about. And it’s got nice wide tires for comfort. If I were just wanting to do casual riding, that would probably be high up on my list. In other brands, the Specialized Roll looks a lot like the Treadwell but maybe a tad more relaxed geometry, and the Kona Dew is similar but with a little more aggressive geometry.

thank you to everyone for the input, definitely adding the roll to the mix and even the kona dew. Definitely a few that I wouldn’t have looked at to begin with but looks like they fit what I’m looking for.