Sdjclevland

CliffordK

Are both bikes disc brake bikes? New, NOS, or Used?

Much of the hype I'm seeing about design changes appear to have to do with the carbon fiber bikes. I'd be curious how much of that holds for the aluminum alloy bikes.

A little added tire room would likely make mounting fenders easier, but may not be necessary if you aren't mounting the larger tires.

Depending on where you're buying the bike, you will get better support and warranty support if you buy a new bike. You'll have to determine the value of that to yourself.

Hard to say. If there is a difference of rim vs disc brakes, then you'll have to decide how valuable that single feature is to your needs. Otherwise, I bet you would have a tough time differentiating between the two bikes.

Sdjclevland

mstateglfr 

since the geometry is apparently different, ride both and pick the one you like more.

TrojanHorse

As a rule, you can count on two things.

1) This year's bike is AMAZING compared to last year's bike
2) Last year's bike can generally be found on sale for 20-40% less than this year's bike.

Personally, I like saving money so unless there were some compelling reason, I'd get the one on sale. As the fellow above said - ride them both and pick the one you like better, even if it's just the paint.

CliffordK

Lots of people hunt for the year-end closeouts, and I suppose this is what one encounters, a slow evolution of the models.

I think these are the geometry charts:
2017:
https://static.evanscycles.com/produ...etry_Chart.pdf

And 2018:
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...6-9d32b07d5023

There are indeed some changes to the specs. I'm not seeing any notes of huge weight savings. In fact, the 2018 may be heavier than the 2017. Both are supposed to be close to 10 kilos, 22 lbs.

My guess is you'd be happy with either bike.

alexdi

Wider cassette on the new one. Flat-mount calipers instead of post-mount. Braze-on FD. Slightly better tires. More tire clearance.

These are mostly distinctions without difference. You won't be able to tell them apart.

CliffordK

If you ever choose to mount a rear rack, then rear calipers inside the rear triangle are superior.

However, the 2017 photos I'm seeing seem to show the inside triangle mount brakes.

For conversion to hydraulic, the most "modern" might be of a benefit, but no sense planning a really expensive upgrade ahead.

That orange/red paint on the new bike looks sharp. Not the drab colors of last year.

alexdi

Paint aside, there is one notable difference in the geo charts: trail. The new bike has slacker head angles across the board. The old one will feel a little less stable, a little more maneuverable.

Sdjclevland

CliffordK

You aren't buying a bike for the neighbor down the street. You are buying one for yourself, so buy the one that fits you best, and is the most comfortable/responsive to you.

"fair" doesn't count

Unless, of course, the issue is that you are test riding one that is the wrong size, and the shop will have to order the right size in.

I believe a person can easily adapt to at least a small range of bike sizes, (and getting the stems and etc you desire) with slight differences such as bar drop.