Flat Bar Options

I guess its what is available in your local area, my short list was Felt SR#, Avanti Blade #, Specialised Sirrus, Giant Perigee, but with the new Giant CRX becoming the replacement for the Perigee, the CRX then took 2nd spot. So, for my first FB Road Bike I chose the Felt SR81.

I also had a FB MTB with slicks, my spare bike, until Thursday. I am replacing it with a new small frame bike, the choice is down to a Felt SR81-650 and a CRX2 XS size, it will be ridden by two short friends. 🙂 (not on the same day)

As of 9:30 this morning the decision was made (I've been looking for a month or more). And the winner is .... the CRX 2 with a Stelle Italia aaddle and Shimano wheels.[img]cyclingforums.comicon7.gifOpen ↗[/img]

The LBS selling Felt wasn't prepared to deal at all even though they had a SR81 in my size that I would've taken for cash (dollars not card) 😕 but the LBS with the Giant was. Norco would have meant waiting for at least 5 days and that was no longer an option (My old road bike has a cracked frame and the rear derailer is bent).

So I took my nice shiny bike home and even though it was raining decided to try it out. It's not as shiny anymore, since slicks, rain, concrete and dumb drivers 😠 don't go together. Very slow speed fall into the weeds.

Summary....Bought new bike, had first ride and first crash all within 3 hours.😄

Well done on the Giant CRX 2, Felt dealers will have to learn not to be so greedy, there are only so many dollars in Aus. 🙂

Sorry about the fall, you must be ok if typing, no damage to the bike, I hope.

Very minor. Just ran out of room an tried manouvering in a concrete car park. Fortunately I wound up in a turfed strip. Kind of slowed down in a hurry (mud) and very slowly toppled over before I could clear the pedal.

If I was in the car I would have laughed.

😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball! The only reason I went for the 1 over 2 is that weight is a real issue with me. I need the lightest bike to lift in and out of cars and carry up railway station steps ect. I have had to have the brakes adjusted because of my small hands and I wish my left thumb was a tad longer to change up, but apart from that I find the bike wonderful. Light, responsive, fast and loads of fun. Touch-wood no falls yet! :o I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I enjoy mine!

WiseSal said:

😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball! The only reason I went for the 1 over 2 is that weight is a real issue with me. I need the lightest bike to lift in and out of cars and carry up railway station steps ect. I have had to have the brakes adjusted because of my small hands and I wish my left thumb was a tad longer to change up, but apart from that I find the bike wonderful. Light, responsive, fast and loads of fun. Touch-wood no falls yet! :o I hope you enjoy your new bike as much as I enjoy mine!

Man pity about the crash... i love my crx 1 and hope u enjoy yours !!! Ben

[quote="WiseSal"]😄 Congrats on your CRX2. I bought a CRX1 from my LBS 3 weeks ago and am having a ball!

Weight is not really an issue for me (ex prop forward). I would've preferred the CRX1 (for the carbon fork) but the LBS didn't have one in stock. Since the CRX1 and 2 use the same frame I'll probably replace the fork. Of course I'll need to paint the bike black then.

I was a bit worried about how the flat bar and geometry would go on longer rides but I've now done some rides around the 40k mark and I was quite comfortable. The biggest problem is water since it is still in the low 30's up here.

Of course now that I actually spent the money and bought a new bike for the first time in ten years I'm thinking..why stop at one. There's a nice old road racer there with horizontal dropouts that would make a great single speed. And then there is trail riding and I really should get a bike for that not thrash the CRX.......

Go for it!! I use my son's mtn bike for off rd and love the fact that I lose my husband on our morning fitness ride, whereas on my old bike we were pretty much the same.