sebnukem

Hello everyone I am in the market for a new bike for replace my one-size-too-small mountain bike. I need a faster commuter (up to 20 miles/day), groceries getter, light tourer, for road and light/medium dirt trails, disc brakes, no drop bars. So far this bike seems to fit the bill: the Cannondale Quick CX 1. It's light and [perhaps a little too] comfortable.

The problem is its high (read above budget) price: $1400. Am I getting robbed? Anyone has some feedback about this bike (this is the 2011 model, but I gather it's close to the 2010 CX Ultra)?

Any good/better alternatives? (Giant Seek 1, Kona Dr Dew, ...?)

Thanks

xoxoxoxoLive

You sound like you can work on bikes, unless your in a hurry, I think I would watch craigslist for something
that comes close to what you want and transfer the extras over. Do you want any suspension ? And what
size tires ? What size is the Motobacane, it looks nice, seems like your looking for a bike like mine, with a little
narrow tires. ( Just comparing it to the bike you have, I probably will end up with Kendra Kwick 40c if they
come in 26" wheels, or something close. There are a lot of options out there..Here is mine, Nice looking bike though ! Richard

sebnukem

I believe it's a 17'' (sml/med). I should have bought the 19''. I don't have the patience to hunt on craigslist and/or I am afraid to get robbed, I don't know. I do want to get myself a nice new bike from a LBS. Suspension is a plus but not a necessity. One big advantage with CX front suspension is that I can put a front rack. Your F4 looks at lot like the Quick CX. How do you like that front suspension? I prefer wider tires, studded ones for the winter. I don't mind pushing harder on the pedals, I'm used to it. I've already put 5000+ miles on my 700HT at 46+ lbs. It's time for me to get a bike that fits me.

xoxoxoxoLive

Tire size is a huge factor when choosing a Hybrid, you just can not ride 28c tires down a rough trail, without using expert
skills, there will be somebody telling you how you can, and my son managed our Rough gravel drive on them..Even the 38c
which I have that only measure 34 have a little trouble. The big 2.1" MTB tires your not even thinking of that, ( LOL )..then
there is gearing, how fast of a gear do you need, and how much climbing gear will you require, ( Bike Fit is the most important
factor ), then you want disk brakes, I would only think you would need them riding in MUD, V-brakes work awesome..Then suspension, I have an inexpensive Schwinn which I LOVE, cheap Suntour forks, with a suspension seat post and it rides
way smoother than the Headhock on the F4..Its hard to say fast and then trail riding, and light touring in the same sentence.
If you want a one bike do it all, you will have to give some were, I am not sure why a lot of Hybrid riders are concerned with speed, ( me included ), if you need the heart rate up, put it in a lower gear and pedal faster. As posted on this forum man times,
a ( Hybrid ) will never be the best at anything, except maybe commuting. I am not EVEN going to install a speedometer on the new bike, but it can go where a road bike can not, and where a lot of MTB's would not, and it can certainly go on a tour, sorry
for the long read ! But to ( ME ) the true Hybrid can do anything any other bike can. Just to some it up, I live in rural area, no
groomed trails, very little traffic, and lots of trails to ride, with plenty of road to get there, ( now coming from someone who
lives in the city ), my idea of a Hybrid could be a dog..and I know this was not your question ! What is a Hybrid ! but you are
asking a lot out of one...Richard

xoxoxoxoLive

The Headshok is the BEST ! and they do not have to weigh 46 pounds, mine was 27 before the rack and bag, now 37 pounds
with all the stuff I carry. ( LOL ), just weighed it ! I would get something with front suspension, and be able to lock it out, seat
post is a cheap add on later if you want..Richard