My new-to-me commuter / casual-rider
02-03-19, 12:10 AM
#1
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT (Formerly Los Angeles, CA)
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Bikes: 2008 Cannondale Synapse -- 2014 Cannondale Quick CX
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My new-to-me commuter / casual-rider
When the weather is nice I enjoy riding my road bike. But it has its drawbacks; it's not a very good grocery-getter. And donning the shoes and bike kit just to ride a MUP with my wife and kids is overkill, and a little inconvenient (yet it's not very comfortable in 'street clothes'). It is also mostly a fair-weather bike because (especially with 28mm tires) it doesn't have room for fenders. Though road cycling is my first love, I really wanted a bike for the rest of the time -- for riding to the store, for riding with my wife and kids, for commuting, and for casual riding when I don't feel like getting into my full kit.
It took a while to find, but in October I finally came across a used 2014 Cannondale Quick CX 3 in my size, in pretty good shape, and at the right price. Then I set out to outfit it to fill those needs not met by my road bike. It's been a work in progress for the past few months; I had to clean years worth of grime and poor-maintenance off of it. And I added new tires, fenders, rack, saddle bag, lights, computer, pump, pedals, and (as needed) panniers. Here's the outcome:
This time of year isn't road biking season for me, but here's a shot of my road bike:
(Yes, they're both triples. I live in pretty hilly terrain.)
It took a while to find, but in October I finally came across a used 2014 Cannondale Quick CX 3 in my size, in pretty good shape, and at the right price. Then I set out to outfit it to fill those needs not met by my road bike. It's been a work in progress for the past few months; I had to clean years worth of grime and poor-maintenance off of it. And I added new tires, fenders, rack, saddle bag, lights, computer, pump, pedals, and (as needed) panniers. Here's the outcome:
- Bike: 2014 Cannondale Quick CX 3
- Drivetrain: Shimano Alivio (rear) / Shimano Altus (front).
- Gearing: 48/38/28 chainrings, 11-32t 8-speed rear cassette.
- Brakes: Cannondale hydraulic disk.
- Tires: Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 700x32c
- Rack: Tubus Cargo Evo
- Pannier(2): Ortlieb Bike Shopper
- Pedals: Shimano PD-M324 (Platform / SPD Combination)
- Saddle bag: Topeak Aero Wedge Medium.
- Mini-pump: Topeak Mini-Morph.
- Fenders: SKS Longboard Chromoplastic 40mm (for use with 28-37mm tires).
- Rear light: CygloLite Hotshot 100.
- Side light: PlanetBike Bottle Blinkey (mounted under bottle cage).
- Front light (not shown): Light & Motion Taz 1200.
- Computer: Velo 7.
This time of year isn't road biking season for me, but here's a shot of my road bike:
- 2008 Cannondale Synapse Sport (Aluminum)
- Drivetrain: Shimano 105
- Gearing: 50/39/30 front, 11-28 rear 10sp.
- Rack: Tubus Fly Evo
- Saddle bag: Topeak Aero Wedge Small
- Lights: CygloLite HotShot Pro150, Light & Motion Urban 1000
- Pedals: Shimano 105 SPD-SL
- Computer: Older CatEye wireless.
- Pump: Lezyne Road Mini.
- Wheels: Fulcrum Racing Quattro LG
- Tires: Continental Grand Prix 4000s II, 700x28c
(Yes, they're both triples. I live in pretty hilly terrain.)
Last edited by daoswald; 02-03-19 at 12:16 AM.
02-03-19, 02:06 PM
#2
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Both bikes look great! No hate on triples from me. I enjoy the range they offer and I use mine quite a bit as well.
02-04-19, 11:59 AM
#3
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Location: Rolesville NC
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Bikes: Had an old Columbia in the 80's, here a used Schwinn hybrid, now a Cannondale Quick 3 and a Topstone 105..
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Nice pair of bikes. Gives you a great range for days you want speed over comfort. I am a Quick fan myself and only wish I could handle the drop bar road style bike. And tripples, have that on the yellow bike for these big hills around here also. Not a problem at all.
Frank.
Frank.
Last edited by Helderberg; 02-04-19 at 12:04 PM.
02-04-19, 12:57 PM
#4
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Location: Salt Lake City, UT (Formerly Los Angeles, CA)
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Yes, I can ride the Synapse all day. It is fast enough, and comfortable enough, but not quite utilitarian enough. And the platform/SPD combo pedals on the Quick let me choose my poison depending on if I'm taking the hybrid for a casual jaunt or a more serious ride. The Quick gives me utility and casual riding while the Synapse satisfies my need for an efficient road machine.
02-15-19, 10:15 AM
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nice bike! 
check that loose computer wire. mine recently broke & I think it was rubbing on my studded tire that did it. had to splice it & secure it better
check that loose computer wire. mine recently broke & I think it was rubbing on my studded tire that did it. had to splice it & secure it better
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