Cannondale x Trek x Specialized
 

Cannondale x Trek x Specialized
Hi, first of all sorry for my English, I am not native speaker! I am planning to buy my first bike. Before I place this post, I really performed a lot of internet research and in this forum also.
After all my research, I am in doubt about some models. The biggest problem that I have is that I will have to purchase the bike without trying it. My local dealers do not have any of these bikes, so I will have to purchase without never riding it! That’s why O really need some help!
Just to facilitate, I tried to post some of the specs of each bike:

Cannondale QUICK CX 3 – 2019:
FRAME Quick CX, SmartForm C2 Alloy, SAVE, 1-1/2" to 1-1/8" tapered head tube
FORK SR Suntour NCX w/ lockout, 50mm, 1-1/2"- 1-1/8" tapered steerer
RIMS DC 3.0, double wall w/eyelet, 32h
HUBS Alloy Disc, sealed, loose ball bearings, QR, 32h
SPOKES Stainless Steel, 14g
TIRES Panaracer Comet Hardpack, 700 x 38c
PEDALS Cannondale Fitness Reinforced Composite
CRANK Shimano Acera, 48/36/26
BOTTOM BRACKET FSA Cartridge
CHAIN KMC Z99, 9-speed
REAR COGS Shimano Alivio 11-32, 9-speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera 31.8 clamp
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore
SHIFTERS Shimano Alivio, 3x9
HANDLEBAR Cannondale C3, 6061 double-butted, 25mm rise, 680mm
GRIPS Cannondale Ergo Fitness Dual Density, Lock-on
STEM Cannondale C3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 12°
HEADSET VP Si 1-1/2"- 1-1/8"
BRAKES Shimano M315 hydro disc, 160/160mm
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano M315 hydro disc
SADDLE Cannondale Quick CX Ergo
SEATPOST Cannondale C3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm

Trek Dual Sport 2
Frame Alpha Gold Aluminum, DuoTrap S compatible, rack & fender mounts
Front suspension SR Suntour NEX, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 63mm travel
Front hub Formula DC20 alloy
Rear hub Formula DC22 alloy
Rims Bontrager Connection alloy, 32h
Tires Bontrager LT2, 700x38c
Shifters Shimano Altus M310, 8 speed
Front derailleur Shimano Tourney TY710
Rear derailleur Shimano Acera M360
Crank Forged alloy, 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Bottom bracket Sealed cartridge
Cassette Shimano HG31, 11-32, 8 speed
Chain KMC Z7
Pedals Resin body, alloy cage
Saddle Bontrager Sport
Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm offset
Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Grips Bontrager Satellite, ergonomic
Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7 degree, Blendr compatible
Headset 1-1/8˝ threadless, sealed cartridge bearings
Brakeset Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc

Specialized CrossTrail – Hydraulic Disc
BOTTOM BRACKET: 68mm, square taper, 124.5mm length
CHAIN: KMC X8EPT, 8-speed, anti-corrosion coating w/ reusable Missing Link™
CRANKSET: Shimano Tourney, 3-piece, square-taper
SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Acera, 8-speed
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Tourney, 3-speed, top-swing
CASSETTE: SunRace, 8-speed, 11-34t
CHAINRINGS: 48/38/28T
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Altus, 8-speed
SUSPENSION: FORK SR Suntour NEX w/ Specialized Fitness Brain technology, 1-1/8" steerer, QR, fender mounts, 55mm of travel
WHEELS & TIRES
FRONT HUB: Alloy, 6-bolt disc, loose ball bearing, quick-release, 32h
REAR HUB: Alloy, 6-bolt disc, 8-/9-speed freehub, loose ball bearing, quick-release, 32h
FRONT TIRE: Trigger Sport Reflect, 60 TPI, wire bead, 700x38mm
REAR TIRE: Trigger Sport Reflect, 60 TPI, wire bead, 700x38mm
BRAKES
FRONT BRAKE: Promax Solve, hydraulic disc, post-mount, 160mm
REAR BRAKE: Promax Solve, hydraulic disc, post-mount, 160mm

In my region this 3 models have similar prices. Another bike that I also looked at is another Trek that is more expensive here than the others, but if it really is much better I can think about it!

Trek Dual Sport 3
Frame Alpha Gold Aluminum, DuoTrap S compatible, rack & fender mounts
Front suspension SR Suntour NEX, coil spring, preload, hydraulic lockout, 63mm travel
Front hub Formula DC20 alloy
Rear hub Formula DC22 alloy
Rims Bontrager Approved Tubeless Ready, 32h
Tires Bontrager LT2 Comp, Hard-Case Lite, 700x38c
Shifters Shimano Acera M3000, 9 speed
Front derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear derailleur Shimano Alivio T4000
Crank Shimano Acera M371, 48/36/26 w/chain guard
Bottom bracket Sealed cartridge
Cassette Shimano HG200, 11-34, 9 speed
Chain KMC X9
Pedals Resin body, alloy cage
Saddle Bontrager H1
Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 27.2mm, 12mm offset
Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise
Grips Bontrager XR Trail Elite, alloy lock-on
Stem Bontrager Elite, 31.8mm, 7 degree, w/computer & light mounts
Headset 1-1/8˝ threadless, sealed cartridge bearings
Brakeset Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc

According to my researches, and considering that know much few about bikes, the Cannondale Quick CX 3 seemed superior than the others, but I am not pretty sure about my conclusion. As I already mentioned, I will have to buy the bike without trying it!

Thank a lot!

I have Cannondale Quick flat bar bikes and I can tell you that the difference in comparable sized Trek was enough for me to not go with the Trek. The overall quality of the three bikes you are looking at is very equal and their customer service is about the same from what I have read. Without the ability to ride the bike you will need to look to the size bike that will allow you to have the greatest amount of adjustability, stem, handle bars, etc., as you might need to fine tune the fit once you get it. You have a tough decision but if there is any equal quality bike available to you to ride you could then take the measurements from that and compare them to the spec's of the brands you have mentioned so to get a good idea of where to start. There are far more knowledgeable folks here and hopefully they will sign in and give you better advice.
Best of luck in your search, Frank.

Another doubt!
 

Frank, thanks for your comments.

I researched a lot more and I discarded the Trek DS2 and the Specialized CrossTrail.

Now I am in doubt between the Cannondale QUICK CX 3, Trek DS3 and Specialized CrossTrail Sport. In my country the DS3 and the CrossTrail Sport are much more expensive than the Quick CX3, but I am considering any one of the three.

If anyone could help me with any suggestions… After a lot of research, the Cannondale appeared to me to be better (SR Suntour NCX fork vs SR Suntour NEX, brakes and drivetrain…). Am I correct? Any recommendations please!

Thanks a lot

In case this helps:
So, I have had 2 Cannondale quick 4 and I am heading for my next one.
At some point, I had a Trek - don't remember the model, but was a hybrid with no suspension. I absolutely hated it because the gears were so different.
Also, the position was different and, as mentioned above, you must try them first.

FWIW, I was actually out riding the DS2 and the Crosstrail today. Can't speak for the cannondale, but between the two the Trek felt much better in terms of the way it rode. It felt nimble where the Crosstrail didn't turn the way I expected. Both felt fine, and either would be a fine bike, but the Trek felt more agile, which would be a big bonus if you start pushing it off the pavement.

Have you ridden any yet? Do you have a bike shop local to you with bikes you can test ride? The differences between the Cannondale's equipment and the others is sort of splitting hairs at this point. It's all entry-level hybrid components. I have a bikes with this stuff (Suntour forks and Shimano hydraulic brakes), and they work well. You'll find more difference in the way the bikes ride due to geometry and other frame differences than due to the components bolted to the bike. The main contact points (handlebar and grips, pedals, saddle, tires, etc) are more important than the other bolt-ons. In the end, it all can be changed. What you really can't change are frame and color -- so I recommend you test ride some and buy the bike that speaks to you on an emotional level. The rest will fall into place.