khutch

So you are saying that if the bicycle had never been invented you would have starved to death by now? Listen, I understand that your bike may be very important to you and that you may have built your life around it. You are getting a vast amount of utility out of it. This does not surprise me, you are a human being and in possession of the most awesome animal brain ever seen on this planet. But if you had no bike, if they did not exist, you would find another way, that brain is that good. I'm not living the lifestyle of the rich and famous here. I know full well that there are people making vastly less than I do and there are people who make vastly more than I do. I'm an engineer, I can't complain, but I did get to where I am by a lot of personal effort and devotion to duty. And my success contributes significantly to the success of everyone who works for my company, just as theirs contributes to mine. A $4000 bike is not something I would buy with pocket change, it would be a major purchase for me. There are people in this world who spend $4000 a night for a hotel room or for an afternoon of golf. I am not one of those people. I don't begrudge them their success either, nor am I saying that you do. I truly wish that everyone could be as successful as I am, or better yet as they are. In a perfect world it would be so. I do not believe that any individual human being is intrinsically superior to another.

Ken

qmsdc15

The OP has recently purchased a new Cannondale.

qmsdc15

Is this what you tell a homeless guy when he asked for spare change? Are you aware of the number of unemployed people in this country actively seeking work, not to mention those who have given up?

If I didn't have bread, would you suggest I eat cake?

Wanderer

TAKE IT TO POLITICS & RELIGION ----- youse guys are going over the top!!!!

AdelaaR

Don't blame me for the state your country is in lately.
You overthere, in contrast to other countries that have been invaded by you, can only blame yourselves.
But let's get back to biking

khutch

I never said anything remotely like that. I am saying this: our species is believed to be about 200,000 years old. Wheeled vehicles were invented about 5,000 years ago. The bicycle was invented 200 years ago. We got by for 199,800 years, give or take, without bicycles and even today they are not essential. Bicycles are fun, they are beneficial, they are exceedingly utilitarian but if human beings needed them to survive there would be no human beings, we'd have gone extinct the same year we appeared.

I give money to people who ask for it on the street all the time even though I am well aware that 99.9% are lying to me about their need for it. There is simply no easy way to tell someone who is truly in need of a helping hand from those who find it easy to make money through deception. So mostly I give money to people who need it through my government and through charitable organizations who have the time and resources to try to separate the needy from the lazy/greedy.

Ken

Joel S.

Disagree. My situation might be a little different, but my wheel and tire combo absolutely gave me more speed. It's less work to keep the wheels spinning at a good clip, so I can spin faster for longer and get more speed. There is anecdotal evidence that a thinner tire = less wind resistance which equates to less work to go fast.

This makes a lot of sense. I'm thinking about working towards competition next year, and that would likely require me to ride a different bike due to regulations and what not. In that scenario, I'd spend a little more for a road bike (not 4K mind you), but if it got to the point to where I was placing high on a regular basis and just needed a faster bike, I'd consider an expensive bike just for racing. There is NO WAY I would cruise around the trails on a bike that cost 4K+. Seems like it's a bit of a toolish thing to do, plus you risk breaking the thing... besides, IMO you should train on a heavier, slower bike.

Anyway, to the OP, ride your bike first, then after say, 1000 miles, start to think about things you may not like about it. On my bike, I wanted a lower rise out of the bars, clipless pedals (which I owned prior to it), and a better/faster wheel and tire combo. So I changed the components, and couldn't be happier. Bike is fast, looks sharp IMO, and is a blast to ride. Didn't cost me any more than the bikes a few steps up, and the components in some cases are better, plus it's what I wanted. Paying less for a presetup bike is all well and good, but I do like a little bit of personalization.

When it comes to shifters, do not be in a hurry to change them. While the expensive bits may shift a little faster, unless you're riding the bike like you drive a manual transmission car (which you shouldn't be doing), it won't make much difference. As long as you keep the components properly adjusted, they should work fine.

I'd recommend clipless pedals, and if you want to eek more speed out of the bike, upgrade the wheels/tires first, then you can start blowing your money on CF bits if you want.

Still, ride the bike first, then think about things you'd like to change. But remember, if the bike isn't shifting right, it's likely due to improper setup rather than crappy components. Take it to a shop, spend the $ to get everything tightened/lubed. All the shops in my area will do at least the first maintenance for free.

knobd

+1!

I agree. What started as a good beneficial thread has once again degraded into a totally unecessary and inappropriate socio-economic discussion. As far as I'm concerned no one on a bike forum has the right to question the motives of what another person can or cannot buy or make judgement on that person based on what they can or cannot buy; end of story. I guess the mods need to watch this forum even closer because I, for one, do not even look to post here anymore because just about every thread ends up in a childish pi$$ing match.

Now, I know that I am just a newbie to this site and never really posted much but I just couldn't hold back after seeing the direction this thread took.

Talldog

I agree. But if you think this is bad you should try the road forum. They are very civilized, polite, and always on topic.

knobd

The road forum really is a brutal forum at times, make no mistake! However, they are far more entertaining as many in that forum have a way of bashing each other with some quality humor. They are also so use to bashing each other that they have very thick skins.

Also, I'll try to contribute to the actual subject of the thread by saying the consesus advice to get your bike and only upgrade what is needed (or wanted) is a good way to go. I think that you'll find that even on a lower end bike that most things work most of the time. There are some things on my FX I'd like to tinker with but the only one I really have planned in the near future are some barends. The bike is just perfect for what I need right now so I simply don't have any urge to change anything on it except for aformentioned barends. As I become a better cyclist and gain speed (I currently only average about 12.5 mph) I can see maybe setting up the bike with a crank that will give me higher gearing but that is a ways off.

Talldog

After being suitably chastised I now feel guilty so will contribute in a meaningful way >

IMHO keep the bike as is except for (and only if necessary):

- saddle (already done)
- grips
- stem rise & reach
- bar contour

The first two are for comfort. So are the next two but in conjunction with making the bike fit just right. Keep everything else until it wears out

Joel S.

I'm definitely not one of these people. Its your bike, if you want to get more performance out of it, go for it. Swapping out components is no different than adding fenders, panniers, racks, bar ends, computers, or any number of accessories. You're still adding to the overall cost of the bike, it's just the ultimate goal is different.

I just recommend you take the time to ride the bike first, and then look at things to swap out. You may like how the bike rides and not want to change anything.

qmsdc15

I also apologize for going off topic.

At least we are in full agreement on this. Changing parts to improve fit is as necessary as air and water.

The points of contact are very important also because discomfort can be a pain after a long time in the saddle.

I'd add pedals to the list, but all of this has been covered in the thread. The OP may have quit following the thread, sorry if my posts contributed that result.

xoxoxoxoLive

ROTFLMAO !!! I once posted the video of riding in the pack with my children and me.. This was a 14 mile round trip RIDE ! All day of biking and swimming . ....And the response I received was, Dude are you training for the special Olympics.. Then with some comment like, I could not be that mean. So I can just imagine
how rough it could get.... Richard : )

Talldog

Yeah, they are a real hoot. Are you implying bashing is OK as long as it is done in a cool, fashionable, and humorous manner that results in an entertainment factor for everyone else ? Bashing each other with some "quality humour" is not OK because not everyone can be known to be "on board". Depends whether you are the "basher" or "bashee" I suppose, but they don't care. As Shakespeare said, "many a truth is spoke in jest". It can be the cruelest form of criticism. On the other hand, I'm betting everyone here likes one another even though we have no problem slinging it back and forth ... but it's never disguised as hip humour. I think we have too much respect for one another to do that. And even more irritating, there are too many people on that forum embracing fractured english, using one word urban grunts like "fail" and "this" to express themselves, and so on. I thought only annoying teenagers indulge in such passe nonsense, but apparently it is now fashionable among older folks who just want to be annoying also.


To whom it may concern:

I'm all for staying on topic ... for the most part. But how many times can you discuss what is the best tire, what is a good entry level hybrid, what handlebars do you use, etc., etc. All good questions but even so, after discussing them for the umpteenth time I would think a little acidic banter on peripheral issues, while still being primarily centered around a bicycle theme, is not a bad thing. IMO it keeps things lively and avoids excrutiating boredom creeping in. The easy fix ... don't read it if it doesn't interest you.

End of counter rant ...

qmsdc15

"...but it's never disguised as hip humour..."

I've always tried to disguise mine thusly.

Talldog

Fail.


Sorry ... really couldn't resist. A bad attempt at hip humour on my part.

qmsdc15

I was gonna put Fail! into my post but, well... I shouda...

xoxoxoxoLive

+1 here..we are a tight group that likes to debate on off topic things, we all pretty much know what everyone rides, ETC...
and how much can we talk about ( Trek ) LOL..I was only trying to defuse an argument that I thought was going to get us
blocked threads..( Do they block them on the roadie forum ? ) ....Richard

knobd

I wasn't referring to degrading or personal attacks that take place in the road forums. While some of the attacks on that forum certainly fall into this category, most of them do not. They just have a lot more traffic and with comes some really interesting threads. I'm not here to defend them and I've never posted on that forum. I think part of my view on that forum is due to the fact I'm more of a third party observer than an actual participant. I will say that I've learned a heck of a lot about bikes by just observing that forum and that is the main reason I visit it occasionally. I do not visit it to witness bashing.

I'm already fed up with this thread so you will not see me post again on it and I'll return to my previous policy and avoid posting on anything not related to cycling.

qmsdc15

Don't go away mad, just go away!

Ken, are you seriously suggesting modern man has the same needs as a Neanderthal? Do you think you could survive in a cave, your only tools a few sharp stones?

Do you truly believe that every human has the same needs? What happened to a caveman who needed dialysis to stay alive?

I'm not suggesting bicycles are essential to human life. I am telling you a bicycle is essential to my life. If you think you know more about my needs than I do, you are wrong.

mikeybikes

Yes. That's exactly what I would suggest.

AdelaaR

That makes sense.
If you feel that a bicycle is essential to stay alive then it is

xoxoxoxoLive

I do not believe I would start replacing parts until they needed them, just keep riding and researching about bike components. And
after a while if you realize this bike is really the one for you. Sky is the limit ! You might enjoy things right now like adding lights,
rack, maybe fenders etc..maybe even changing tires, ( although I just installed a new set on my Cannondale F4 just like yours,
but a little wider ) and love them, Laugh. The bike is nice like it is, so be patient, and ride..Just My Thoughts. Richard

xoxoxoxoLive

I own 2 Hybrids, a fairly expensive one, and a budget one. Had not rode the budget one
in the last few weeks much, but took it out on a pretty long ride, and the only difference
I really noticed is the riding position, the budget one is a more upright riding style. It was
dark, but as far as the drive train and shifting etc..could really not even notice anything,
except that I am still more accustomed to its style of shifters. LOL I'm not saying that the components on the other are not better, just really have to be trying to notice, and like I
said it was dark, so I was more focused on riding and those D%$$#M speeding cars..
Richard