Need expert help

Want to buy a new bike, one of those mid-age dudes that have been out
of it for a long time.

Yesterday, I rode a Trek 7300 and a Cannondale adventure 3 and liked
both of them.

When I got on the Cannondale however, it just "felt right" and I
really liked the way it handled.....had a more durable feel to it and
a more foregiving frame?

What I didn't like about it was the lousy shift system.

The Trek's was perfect -- just a click, and you're in gear. The
Cannondale had all these different places where it "maybe" was in gear
etc and noise along with it.

My question is this --

What Cannondale model should I look at that's pretty much an adventure
3 but with a more precise (shimano?) gear shift mechanism?

Also, the Cannondale had disc brakes -- out to lunch on that -- what
is the lowdown on disc vs conventional brakes?

Thanks kindly for any help -- I want to get something before the end
of the week.

(Also -- rode a Giant cypress, didn't care for it).

On Apr 30, 10:41 am, mkr5000 wrote:
Want to buy a new bike, one of those mid-age dudes that have been out
of it for a long time.

Yesterday, I rode a Trek 7300 and a Cannondale adventure 3 and liked
both of them.

When I got on the Cannondale however, it just "felt right" and I
really liked the way it handled.....had a more durable feel to it and
a more foregiving frame?

What I didn't like about it was the lousy shift system.

The Trek's was perfect -- just a click, and you're in gear. The
Cannondale had all these different places where it "maybe" was in gear
etc and noise along with it.

My question is this --

What Cannondale model should I look at that's pretty much an adventure
3 but with a more precise (shimano?) gear shift mechanism?

The shifters can be adjusted to work better, just takes a minute or
two to align the mechanism under the rear of the cogset using the
barrel adjuster. If you prefer trigger shifters, those are available
in a model that would work for that bike:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.a...S&currency=USD

I'm not too hip to disc brakes on road going bikes, though I can
understand the arguments for in Portland and for areas folks have
mentioned that have road surfaces that destroy rims--they're mainly
just a gee-whiz selling point. Inexpensive linear pull brakes work
better than most folks need. That said, if the 'dale speaks to you,
get it.

In defense of the Trek, with the boring old linear pull brakes and
compliment of mounts, it'll take racks, fenders, and the like, so as
you get in shape, you can turn it into your utility bike and upgrade
to a higher zoot exercise model.

mkr5000 wrote:

I want to get something before the end
of the week.

Ahem... not a good strategy. Best to look longer, ride a few more. You
haven't tried the comparably priced Bianchi's, the Redlines, the
Raleighs. There are a lot of good machines out there. And there are
some considerations you haven't gotten too... tire size and fender
compatibility are biggies. Everybody laughs at fenders until they have
to clean their drive-train. Tire size is WAY more important than disk
brakes. You ought to ride something that has a Shimano 8 speed hub
before you settle on a derailleur...

On Apr 30, 4:13 pm, Will wrote:
mkr5000 wrote:
I want to get something before the end
of the week.

Ahem... not a good strategy. Best to look longer, ride a few more. You
haven't tried the comparably priced Bianchi's, the Redlines, the
Raleighs. There are a lot of good machines out there. And there are
some considerations you haven't gotten too... tire size and fender
compatibility are biggies. Everybody laughs at fenders until they have
to clean their drive-train. Tire size is WAY more important than disk
brakes. You ought to ride something that has a Shimano 8 speed hub
before you settle on a derailleur...

Way true. And don't forget used. I'm a big fan of the $500 new bike--
you get a lot of service and start fresh, but for more expensive
bikes, the deals on Craigslist are incredible--then pay a shop to dial
it in. That's what they make their money on anyway.