rihoops

I currently ride 10-20 miles several times a week on my trusty Cannondale Quick 4. I'm looking to go faster and longer without going to an aggressive road bike. Any thoughts on the Cannondale Quick 1 (local bargain, 1700), Giant AnyRoad CoMax, Giant FastRoad CoMax, Specialized Roubiax, and Specialized Diverge.

Bunyanderman

Like a cyclocross bike?

rihoops

I hadn't considered a cyclocross bike, but isn't a gravel bike just a better bet now?

rms13

yes, unless you are going to race cross. I have been looking at some "gravel" bikes lately and from my research , these are 3 that stood out that are actually purpose built and not just a cross bike being marketed as gravel.

Diamondback Bicycles - Haanjo Comp

Introducing the 2015 GT Grade

Raleigh Bicycles - Tamland Series

Those three are designed with gravel/light trails but also road/commuting in mind with lower bottom brackets, slacker angles etc than a cross bike

CityGuy

I just made the same move as you but went from a Quick to a Cannondale Synapse (their endurance bike). It has a much more relaxed setup than there other road bikes, and sitting on the bar feels similar to a quick, it just gets aggressive when you drop into them. It is much easier to ride, significantly faster and more enjoyable.

ddeand 

I'm loving my Cannondale CAADX Rival. I do road, gravel, and commuting on it. Noce bike.

merlinextraligh

There's not a real clear line of demarcation. A true, race oreinted, cross bike wouldn't have bottle mounts, would be designed for 32mm tires (UCI limit), and would have a bit tighter geometry.

Bikes marketed with the "gravel" label tend to have wider tire clearance, more relaxed geometry,water bottle, and fender/rack mounts.

But bikes marketed as cross bikes will have some of those features, and bikes marketed as gravel grinders may not have all of them.

You can race cross on a "gravel" bike, and you can do a gravel grinder on a cross bike.

So its best to look at the particular bike, not the label.

Roosterbird

I bought the Giant Anyroad a couple months ago and like it. I bought because I can put wider tires on it than my road bike. if there is anything I don't like its the sloping top tube. It slopes down toward the rear and you can't easily put a full size water bottle back there and use it easily while riding. I just take a smaller one and switch when stopped. It has a carbon fork and aluminum frame, I have the 1 and I think the Anyroad 2 has upgraded componets.

BaseGuy

I'm with the reply that said check out a Synapse. Just go test one. Don't be afraid of a real road-bike. They are made to "go faster and longer." If you get the right size for you, I think you will be surprised how comfortable, fun, easy, and not-intimidating it is.

PepeM

Agreed, plenty of road bikes that are not 'aggressive'. A properly set up one is perfectly comfortable and I in fact find my road bike far more comfortable than my 'hybrid'.

ivan_yulaev

Fuji Tread?

PepeM

I test rode a Tread and really liked it.

RogueRadio

Check out a Cannondale Synapse. Everyone rants and raves about how supremely comfortable they are and how nothing comes close. That being said, if you want something that can handle gravel as well, go with a Specialized Diverge. Its built as an all arounder and may be just what you are looking for.

nastystang

I just bought a Diverge and part of what sold me was the plug and play fender option. I went with the Comp Carbon version and look forward to lots of riding in conditions my Felt just is not going to see. There is a great video on youtube of a guy really working one over. Turned out it was a demo day ride. Pretty capable bike for sure.

Maconi

I'd go with either the Specialized Diverge or GT Grade. I personally own a Diverge and love it (compared it to the Synapse, Domane, GF01, Roubaix, etc.). I never had the chance to ride a GT Grade so I don't know how it would compare (although I read there's front fork chatter during hard braking and it has external cabling).

NormanF

Fairdale Weekender Archer. They also have a drop version.

Has everything I'm looking for in a flat bar road bike/gravel road bike/fast hybrid.

And its made of double butted cromoly steel.