I spent a good two weeks researching and reading reviews online in hopes of finding my “perfect bike”. My original budget of $850 quickly became $1500 because I wanted a bike that I can use for training, racing, and of course triathlons for many years to come. Believe it or not this is on the low-end price-wise of road bikes. The more “elite” models are north of 4-5k.
I originally settled for a 2010 Trek 2.1 in black and drove as far as an hour away just to test ride the 2009 model since not much has changed in terms of the frame and components. Here it is!
Nice, right? So about the test ride…
Honestly, I had nothing to compare to except my mountain bike which is like comparing apples-to-oranges. I couldn’t tell if what I was riding felt right. The seat was hard, I felt every bump on the road, and was so hunched over it was reminiscent of my motorcycle days. I didn’t even know how to shift on a road bike until I came back to be told its integrated into the brake levers. OH! Ok…well in short, it was very uncomfortable — at least to what I was used to. After test riding several bikes I found out that this is how it is and I just have to get used to it.
While design and components were important to me, the most important part of finding the perfect bike is fit. Which bike fits for my body frame? When I went to The Bicycle Planet in Sysosset, NY I asked the guy if he thought the Trek 2.1 was a good fit for me and what size frame I should buy? He took a quick glance at me and said I’m a 54 cm and it will be perfect. It didn’t take long for me to walk out the door. Seriously, what kind of bike fitting was that?
So I came across a new bike shop, about 25 minutes way from me called Brick Well Cycling Multisports in Great Neck, NY. A shop that not only has bikes but specializes in triathlons. The difference in their approach to bike fitting was night and day. They had me ride on a trainer for a few minutes, asked me about my intended use, if acceleration or stability was more important, etc.
I hopped on several Trek 54/52 cm and Cannondale 54/52 cms and found that the Trek geometry was not meant for my body dimensions because of my longer-than-normal torso and shorter-than-normal legs for someone who is 5 ft 7. I settled for a 2010 Cannondale Caad9-5 which is one of the most recognizable aluminum frames that was actually raced at the World Championships. At least that’s what the marketing guys want me to believe…
I bought a 2010 Cannondale Caad9-5 last month, August 5th to be exact. Aesthetically, I like the Trek 2.1 better. But the Caad9 is more low-key and made in the U.S.A. Frame is of better quality and is overall about a pound lighter.
As soon as it gets here in mid-September I’ll let you know how it rides.
The best article I read on bike fitting can be found here:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
