peiman01

Dear experts

Buying what would be my first real bike, mainly for exercise and fun, was wondering if you could help my choice.

The line-up of candidates are

Cannondale Quick SL1
https://www.cannondale.com/2012-quick-sl-1-20947/

Trek FX7.6
https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes...ness/fx/7_6_fx

Giant Cross city
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/...ty/7271/44178/

Felt QX-95
https://www.feltbicycles.com/Australi...S95-Men-s.aspx

Main concerns are,
component/bike quality (does anyone know the frame warranty on the brands)
it will be used 95% on the road, and maybe 5% will used on dirt/gravel/grass paths
budget of roughly 1k (yes hoping to get the cannondale on sale)

Thank you!

RT

There are hybrids, my young Padawan. It might be best to ask this in either the Hybrid forum or Commuting.

But Experts? We are just blowhards and poseurs in here.

JustinNY

none of those

get a CAAD 8 tiagra or 105

bikerjp

Got my daughter a quick. Pretty nice bike for the price. I know nothing about the others.

ahsposo 

I am neither a poseur or a blowhard.

I am merely an opinionated old fool.

My opinion is flat bars really, really suck.

RT

I forgot retro-grouches and curmudgeons.

Used to love the flat bars, now I can't ride them. My mountain bike is a cross bike.

JustinNY

After years on a flar bar, I've spent only a few months on a drop bar road bike and I can say unequivocally that flat bars suck

tagaproject6

All great bikes with good components. Frame warranty is not really a deal breaker for me and IMHO, an illogical perception that will give you peace of mind.

This is the roadie forum and will be biased, so keep that in mind.

With that said...I am no expert, just another old codger who opines that flat bars blow huge bubbles, and suck more than a Dyson. But do what makes you ride more...in the end, that is what matters.

rdtompki

Find a good LBS (yes, I know they are hard to find) and talk to them about your intended use. They can assess your age, condition, have you try a few bikes with a quick trial fit. Among brands with like components there is more to be gained by a good fit and having an LBS that you're comfortable in working with than the relative difference between two quality brands.

When my wife and I restarted in cycling four plus years ago I shopped value hard and bought two Giant OCR1. Nothing at all wrong with these bikes, but neither was a fit and we eventually sold both. Turns out most of our riding these days is on a (proper fitting) tandem, but a good shop would have had us on a start off on singles that fit properly.

Paul Barnard

Those tend more to the flat bar road bike style than the hybrid style though everyone's definition varies somewhat. Let me ask you this, why do you want flat bars? I had been a long time mountain biker when I bought my first road bike. It was a flat bar road bike. I understand why you think you want a falt bar bike. They seem like they would be more comfortable and they are likely more familiar feeling to you. Flat bars suck for comfort, especially when your bars are at or below seat level like they are in the bikes you linked. I do like some things about flat bars when the riding position is more relaxed. Being on the flats gives a more commanding view of traffic. But this can also be accomplished by riding the flats or hoods of a comfort geometry road bike. If you insist on a flat bar bike, this is the best deal on the market right now. No tax and shipped to your door for $699. The component level is at or better than those you have linked.

If they have one in your size, you should get it!

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/fuji/absolute_1.htm

When I switched from a flat bar to a drop bar road bike, I was MUCH more comfortable. When I built a dedicated commuter, I wanted a more upright style and controls on the flats. I added drop bar ends for when I want to change hand positions or get aero. If you get a flat bar bike, strongly consider adding these bar ends. This is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.

giantcfr1

Kids, he already has, so don't bother responding to him here.

RT

Nice looking Frankenbuild! I have many of these parts in my garage. Is that a 1x9 with a 12-32 on the back?

musicman1

This

Paul Barnard

Frankenbuild! I like that. Yep, 1x9 with 12-32 and 42t front. If I lived in the hills, I'd opt for a smaller front. As it stands I have topped out at 38.7 and wasn't spun out, so the 42t is more than adequate. I never used the inner 3 in the back here in NOLA. I rode in a bit of a hilly (relatively speaking) area last weekend and used all but the smallest cog on the back, so I suspect if I rode in reall hilly stuff, I'd like to have a 38.

It was a fun build, and I may tinker with it more yet. It's right at 22 pounds without the rack, water bottles and frame pump. I am really happy with it and even with the 700x29 tires, my average speed on it is inconsequentially different from my Tarmac. Go figue huh?