Virtual Tour Group: Hey Steve - Bike help

Lost

If you are buying the bike in Iowa then moving away, you're missing the opportunity to 1) purchase a maintenance plan with the bike, and 2) building a relationship with the shop.   That's unfortunate, because those are 2 major reasons to buy a new bike from a local shop.  To make up for that, be sure to get some service work done before you leave (you generally need a tune up after 100-200 miles on a new bike anyway) and have them pack your bike for shipment when you do leave (let them know that before you buy!).

Having said that, I've never bought a new bike, and I don't deal with a local shop - I have an independent mechanic.  When you get back home, ask other cyclists who they have work on their bike, that's how I found my guy.

I'm no expert, but looking at your choices, you seem to have two distinct styles here.  The CAAD9 and the Trek have "road race" geometry frames and wheelsets, whereas the Synapes and Specialized frames & wheels look more about all-purpose riding.  The prices on all these will be driven by the components you get, so without a lot of research on these, I'd guess that the asking prices are all reasonable.

Since you want to get into triathlon riding, my advice would be to stay away from the multi-purpose bikes.  You want a light, stiff frame and good components.  The Trek and the CAAD9 are much more in that direction.

Good luck!

Steve

Going back to your local shop at home is smart. 

You can ask me about double vs. triple vs. compact cranks.  Beyond that, I rapidly start running out of real experience!

Steve

I do have experience with fixed gear bikes - I had one back in the 70s when I was 10.  Huge chrome handlebars, glittery plastic banana seat.  It was awesome. 

Seriously though, I had to look up "fixed gear bicycle" on Wikipedia to see if people really ride them out on the road.  I've never even seen one outside a velodrome or known anyone that has ridden one, so no experience there at all.

I'm dropping my bike off at my mechanic's shop this morning.  I'll ask him if he has any experience and post what he says later today.

Steve 

I've never ridden a triple crank.  I don't ride mountains (I live in Missouri), but my regular weekend ride is very hilly, so I do plenty of climbing.  I am very happy with my standard double crank.  I have never needed the 3rd chainring, but I probably would use it if I had it (not good 4 training).  I ride a 12/27 cassette which is the largest I could get, so I do have a "bail-out" gear for the steepest hills (and I use that a lot!).  Oh, and we double crank riders scoff at triple crank riders as we climb past them, though I doubt the triple crank riders care

Yes, "9 speed" refers to the number of sprockets on the rear wheel cassette.  I had a 10-speed when I was growing up too; yes, that has changed.  And 12/27 refers to the number of teeth on the smallest and largest sprockets on the cassette.  They get as small as 11, but not much bigger than 27 on a road bike.  I like having 10 speeds, and the spread between 12/27 means I'm using all the gears rather than shifting twice (which I did a lot when I had a 9-speed 11/21 - to heck with that).

I suspect there are more triples sold than doubles simply because they sell more recreational bikes than high-end racing bikes.  Shimano does sell a Dura-Ace triple crank, so they are out there somewhere.  Most serious riders will rarely use the small chainring unless they ride miles of big climbs.

There is a middle option that lots of us old guys turn to, the compact crank.  It has smaller chainrings (typically 50/34) than the standard double crank (typically 53/39).  Lots of guys I ride with have a compact, but they seem to be searching for gears more often than I do.  I would miss the speed of my 53.  Oh, and I scoff at the compact crank riders as I climb past them too -- when I can.

Unfortunately, changing from standard to compact to triple is very expensive, since you usually have to change out the entire drive train - bottom bracket and deraulleurs too.  So you sort of want to get it right when you buy the bike. 

Having said all that, realize that this is your first bike.  If you get serious about cycling, you will have a new bike in three years anyway.  (That's not a threat, it's a promise!)  And if you don't get serious, then what you pick today doesn't matter that much anyway.  So my advice is feel free to go for the triple.  That way you'll know if you want one on your next bike.

Steve

Thanks for the input Steve. I have no experience (except for my childhood bike). Banana seats were awesome now that I think back! I think I'll find a "normal" road bike and stick to that for a while. 

 To add my two cents worth, I ride a triple crank mountain bike and rarely use the small crank. The only time I used it, was when I used to do a lot of climbing on real steep climbs. If it's only $50 difference, I'd go for it. It's nice to have it and not need it versus need it and not have it.