What I'd like to do with my future bike:
1. Cycle to and from work (about 10 miles one way) and everywhere in between.
2. Day-long cycling (i.e. Portland to the Columbia River Gorge: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/322030).
3. Possible future light-touring, and maybe a non-competitive Seattle-to-Portland type event.
I have researched for hours and hours to try to understand what I need to fulfill my cycling desires. But this has caused me to think I need top-notch everything at prices I should not invest in at this time. My budget keeps changing. And then my mindset changed, too, and I started looking for closeouts and whatnot around the 1000K range. If there happens to be a *really* great deal for higher quality, I am willing to up the limit. But I seem to be finding high prices with components that seems to me should be higher quality. Here are a few I found in the closeouts/sales. Any input from the experienced and eager is welcome!
Here are the main ones I've kept open:
+ Surly Cross-Check 2012 -- $1075 (http://www.citybikes.coop/bikes/surly-cross-check/)
+ Raleigh Capri Carbon 1.0 Women's Bike - 2012 -- $960 on sale from 1800 (http://www.rei.com/product/830068/raleigh-capri-carbon-10-womens-bike-2012#specsTab)
+ Specialized Tricross Sport Triple 2013 -- $775 (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2013/tricross/tricrosssporttriple#specs)
Here are some I've looked at also:
Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra C 2013 -- $1000 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/cannondale-synapse-6-tiagra-c-178231-1.htm)
Cannondale CAAD8 5 105 2013 -- $1100 Actually a 51 cm, which may be a tad too small, but I need to go and try it out. (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/13cannondale-caad8-5-105-4457.htm)
Trek Madone 2.1 T 2013 -- $1000 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/trek-madone-2.1-t-172803-1.htm)
Trek 1.5 C 2013 -- $900 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/trek-1.5-c-173379-1.htm)
I've looked at the Trek's CrossRip Series - that's where I began my search, actually - but I'm just not impressed with the components for the price, and seem to have found better deals.
Am I just way out of the ballpark with these ideas? I also know that I just need to get out on the bike and ride it around - that will be the final say for me. But I could go to stores for hours and ride around on whatever the guy pulls out and it gets frustrating. I want to go next time with a better focus. I also heard you should just invest right away in the bike you want, but being a newbie, I think that I won't really know until I'm riding for awhile. Only then can I start to fine-tune things. So, this is a first bike for me.
I'm open to any suggestions or comments. Thanks again!
1. Cycle to and from work (about 10 miles one way) and everywhere in between.
2. Day-long cycling (i.e. Portland to the Columbia River Gorge: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/322030).
3. Possible future light-touring, and maybe a non-competitive Seattle-to-Portland type event.
I have researched for hours and hours to try to understand what I need to fulfill my cycling desires. But this has caused me to think I need top-notch everything at prices I should not invest in at this time. My budget keeps changing. And then my mindset changed, too, and I started looking for closeouts and whatnot around the 1000K range. If there happens to be a *really* great deal for higher quality, I am willing to up the limit. But I seem to be finding high prices with components that seems to me should be higher quality. Here are a few I found in the closeouts/sales. Any input from the experienced and eager is welcome!
Here are the main ones I've kept open:
+ Surly Cross-Check 2012 -- $1075 (http://www.citybikes.coop/bikes/surly-cross-check/)
+ Raleigh Capri Carbon 1.0 Women's Bike - 2012 -- $960 on sale from 1800 (http://www.rei.com/product/830068/raleigh-capri-carbon-10-womens-bike-2012#specsTab)
+ Specialized Tricross Sport Triple 2013 -- $775 (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/archive/2013/tricross/tricrosssporttriple#specs)
Here are some I've looked at also:
Cannondale Synapse 6 Tiagra C 2013 -- $1000 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/cannondale-synapse-6-tiagra-c-178231-1.htm)
Cannondale CAAD8 5 105 2013 -- $1100 Actually a 51 cm, which may be a tad too small, but I need to go and try it out. (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/13cannondale-caad8-5-105-4457.htm)
Trek Madone 2.1 T 2013 -- $1000 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/trek-madone-2.1-t-172803-1.htm)
Trek 1.5 C 2013 -- $900 (http://www.bikegallery.com/product/trek-1.5-c-173379-1.htm)
I've looked at the Trek's CrossRip Series - that's where I began my search, actually - but I'm just not impressed with the components for the price, and seem to have found better deals.
Am I just way out of the ballpark with these ideas? I also know that I just need to get out on the bike and ride it around - that will be the final say for me. But I could go to stores for hours and ride around on whatever the guy pulls out and it gets frustrating. I want to go next time with a better focus. I also heard you should just invest right away in the bike you want, but being a newbie, I think that I won't really know until I'm riding for awhile. Only then can I start to fine-tune things. So, this is a first bike for me.
I'm open to any suggestions or comments. Thanks again!
