Time to buy... Narrowed to 3

[Illy]

Okay so.... i was looking at the following 3 - does anyone have experience or opinions on the below?

*Trek 7.6 FX
*Giant Cross City 1
*Cannondale Quick 3

[Timmeh]

Hi Illy - see also this post viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34953

The Avanti Blade and Merida Speeder are also worth considering as flat bar road bikes. Go check out the features that you need and then test ride a few brands. Interestingly, I picked out the Avanti Blade as being the closest match for my needs, then found it rode the worst of my 4 brand shortlist (geometry too relaxed for me). Ended up with the Merida Speeder T5. Added bar ends and a rack and it's my dry weather commuter. Have also recently swapped out the tyres for kevlar ones - added a little weight but was sick of the punctures.

Good luck...

[jasonc]

i've got the giant cross city 1 (2011). a workmate has the 2012 model.

when buying, i tried the trek 7.6 but the triple crank just didn't seem to suit the bike - i could never find the right gear.

the giant feel a little bit heavier (not by much) but the gearing works perfectly on it.

happy to answer any specific q's you have.

what model year are you looking at of each bike?

[csy75]

i have the cross city 4...a pleasure to ride with much more basic components. but i also have the defy 2 which has setup more in line with the cross city 1....very good also....

what's the test ride of all 3 shown you? any preference?

[Timmeh]

I should add that since I use the flat bar for commuting, I'd probably prefer a triple chain ring and less cogs on the cassette...would make gear shifting easier and I could use a wider chain (= less stretch = lasts longer).

[jasonc]

any update?

[Illy]

Thanks for your replies - i went down to Clarence St today but they couldnt give me a test ride on the Cross City 1, but i got the call to test it out tomorrow. So i'll give more feedback then.

Are any deals made in shop or are their prices rigid with the 2012 range?

[Blackrock]

I have a 2012 merida carbon T5 speeder. It is a great bike and has shaved minutes off my commute and am so stoked with the power this bike lets me put down. It's not in everyone's price range (~$2600) but worth every penny if you can justify it. Love the ultegra running gear and the FSA cranks and BB. Was iffy on the avid single digits, but they are pretty good for a rim brake.
I have changed the pedals as they were !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! stock ones and have also removed the prologo proforma male saddle as it was a little wide and had the propencity to pinch! Now fitted with selle italia SLR carbon/kevlar. Much better shaped IMO.

I looked at a cannondale quick 3 and it was a REALLY nice bike to ride. REally smooth and well balanced. Loved the rear carbon stays and how smooth it was. I was quite close to buying this model!! Didn't fancy the trek's as they looked too upright. The new cross-city's look real nice too, but never got a chance to take one for a spin. Tried a number of the merida speeders and liked the set up.

[Illy]

Had a test ride on the Cross City 1 yesterday, it was a dream to ride; i loved every second of it. I did push it pretty hard too, to the point the chain came off - although i think that was my fault from jumping through the gears.

Might try on the Trek 7.6 tomorrow

[newbikeorupgrade]

Looking at the T3 love the gear ratio's but want disc brakes...

[jasonc]

Had a test ride on the Cross City 1 yesterday, it was a dream to ride; i loved every second of it. I did push it pretty hard too, to the point the chain came off - although i think that was my fault from jumping through the gears.

Might try on the Trek 7.6 tomorrow

be interesting to see if you have the same comments I do. good luck

[andyw720]

After a lot of searching just purchased a Avanti Blade 4.0!

My other shortlist was Giant Cross City 1 and Merida Speeder T3.

Per original list, I dismissed the Trek 7.6 and Cannondale Quick 3 (and Kona Dr Fine) as they both use MTB/Touring gears rather than the road gears found on the above bikes, and since my commuting is almost exclusively on the road I wanted the benefit of the higher road gears.

Why did I go with the Avanti over the Giant and Merida? Just felt a little better on the bike than the Giant and Merida but that is personal preference and also got a good price $959 (2011 model). It also comes with Shimano Clipless pedals and bar ends standard which the others did not.

Will let you know more once I have ridden it for a few weeks

[KonaCommuter]

Pictures of your new ride please

[Blackrock]

Well done and thanks for feedback. I went from MTB gears to road on a commuter and loving the difference!!

[andyw720]

Pictures of your new ride please

See below - did my first commute today and increased avg speed by 4km/hr and had the pleasure of passing a roadie!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/74447101@N06/6704572703/

[KonaCommuter]

Pictures of your new ride please

See below - did my first commute today and increased avg speed by 4km/hr and had the pleasure of passing a roadie!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/74447101@N06/6704572703/

Nice. Thanks for sharing