Test rides!

[fishboy316]

That being said!
I rode 5 bikes today!
1)MASI Premier PC4. Super nice bike. A little heavy but solid at the same time. Pretty fast and nimble. I thought It had a little harsh ride compared to some.(Cannondale synapse carbon) It is a little more racy than some I rode. It for the most part is comfy. All ultegra and at $1749 a good buy! Not bad looking either!
http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/premiare-series/premiare-pc4-2014

2)Trek Damone 4.0. Liked the bike but it carries a $2000 price tag and is tiagra group. Fun ride but was not really impressed with tiagra as when I shifted several times it did nothing? Liked it but a little worried about the tiagra. They are having a sale on 2014 bikes at the end of march so I could get the 105 for about the same price so that could happen if I wait that long.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/endurance_race/domane_4_series/domane_4_0_compact/#
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/endurance_race/domane_4_series/domane_4_3/#

3)Cannondale Synapse 2013. This is the 2nd time I rode this bike. First was a 105 group. this was a apex group. I liked the apex it seemed like it was right there when I shifted and was easier than the shimano. Would feel a little better if was red or rival but this was nice. I do still like the ride of the synapse a lot! It still seems slower than other bikes but after today I think it is an illusion. I think it is because of what I see as the comfort level that is throwing me off. This was a 2013 and it was $1619.
http://www.cannondale.com/catalog/product/view/id/31585/s/synapse-carbon-5-105/category/916/

4)Felt Z4 Fast! Light and nimble but to small=( Will try 1 in a 61cm. Definitely a nice bike. Could be the one in the right size.
F5 - Felt Bicycles
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/Z-Series/z4.aspx

5)Felt F5 FASTER!! Not comfy at all! This bike was WORK for me to ride.Not my style at all!
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/F-Series-Road-Bike/f5.aspx

The folks at both shops were really nice. They were helpful and did all I could ask. The 2nd shop was where I rode 4 of the bikes 3 of them twice and spent 3.5-4 hrs. They did measurements and took good care of me. The gent that helped me was thinking I would be happier longer on the trek. But I don't know exactly why. Got kinda overwhelmed by the time I left. Tomorrow I ride the Giants and will be ready to get to the short list.
Anyway thats how I spent the nice 65degree day. Any comments are welcomed!
Thanks
Bil

[Painkiller]

(03-09-2014, 01:16 AM)fishboy316 Wrote:  That being said!
I rode 5 bikes today!
1)MASI Premier PC4. Super nice bike. A little heavy but solid at the same time. Pretty fast and nimble. I thought It had a little harsh ride compared to some.(Cannondale synapse carbon) It is a little more racy than some I rode. It for the most part is comfy. All ultegra and at $1749 a good buy! Not bad looking either!
http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/premiare-series/premiare-pc4-2014

2)Trek Damone 4.0. Liked the bike but it carries a $2000 price tag and is tiagra group. Fun ride but was not really impressed with tiagra as when I shifted several times it did nothing? Liked it but a little worried about the tiagra. They are having a sale on 2014 bikes at the end of march so I could get the 105 for about the same price so that could happen if I wait that long.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/endurance_race/domane_4_series/domane_4_0_compact/#
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/endurance_race/domane_4_series/domane_4_3/#

3)Cannondale Synapse 2013. This is the 2nd time I rode this bike. First was a 105 group. this was a apex group. I liked the apex it seemed like it was right there when I shifted and was easier than the shimano. Would feel a little better if was red or rival but this was nice. I do still like the ride of the synapse a lot! It still seems slower than other bikes but after today I think it is an illusion. I think it is because of what I see as the comfort level that is throwing me off. This was a 2013 and it was $1619.
http://www.cannondale.com/catalog/product/view/id/31585/s/synapse-carbon-5-105/category/916/

4)Felt Z4 Fast! Light and nimble but to small=( Will try 1 in a 61cm. Definitely a nice bike. Could be the one in the right size.
F5 - Felt Bicycles
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/Z-Series/z4.aspx

5)Felt F5 FASTER!! Not comfy at all! This bike was WORK for me to ride.Not my style at all!
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/F-Series-Road-Bike/f5.aspx

The folks at both shops were really nice. They were helpful and did all I could ask. The 2nd shop was where I rode 4 of the bikes 3 of them twice and spent 3.5-4 hrs. They did measurements and took good care of me. The gent that helped me was thinking I would be happier longer on the trek. But I don't know exactly why. Got kinda overwhelmed by the time I left. Tomorrow I ride the Giants and will be ready to get to the short list.
Anyway thats how I spent the nice 65degree day. Any comments are welcomed!
Thanks
Bil

lots of nice bikes to choose from, but I would rather just keep riding my 1990 Specialized Allez Epic carbon 105. Forever timeless

[1FJEF]

(03-09-2014, 01:16 AM)fishboy316 Wrote:  3)Cannondale Synapse 2013. This is the 2nd time I rode this bike.
"I liked the apex"
It still seems slower than other bikes but after today I think it is an illusion. I think it is because of what I see as the comfort level that is throwing me off.
4)Felt Z4 Fast! Light and nimble but to small=( Will try 1 in a 61cm. Definitely a nice bike. Could be the one in the right size.

Sounds to me like the bike for you is the Felt Z4. You are enthused, you like the weight and don't note a lack of comfort. If I was you I would confirm your opinion with a bigger frame size, & if you feel the same way, I'd give it serious consideration.
If that Z4 feels fast I'd compare it to the Masi & go from there. Sounds like you're too comfy on the Synapse.
Back when I was skinny, and had hair, (OK, waaaay back) I tried out a Nishiki Japan road bike and found it harsh, twitchy, yet nimble & quick. I tried a Touring model & loved the instant ease, comfort familiarity of the ride. I bought the latter & have regretted it.
A real cyclist asked me if I rode the quicker bike for 15-20 minutes to get used to it's more nimble feel, & compensate for the stiff ride, I said no, he said I was a dumb S^^t, or the salesman was lazy.

[fishboy316]

I bought the latter & have regretted it.
A real cyclist asked me if I rode the quicker bike for 15-20 minutes to get used to it's more nimble feel, & compensate for the stiff ride, I said no, he said I was a dumb S^^t, or the salesman was lazy.
[/quote]

Darn 1fjef! Can't get this out of my head! There is also a new one back in the mix. A 2013 giant comp0 with di2 ultegra @$2500. The Giant is also a bit more on the harsh but fast side. Rather nimble also. Nice ride and a real nice price for what I would be gettin. Am trying to ride em all in this pricepoint. Have counted out the trek Domane, the felt f5. Still looking for a 61cm felt z5. All good got some time. Bike doctor has a sale last weekend of the month. Other shops also counter the sale. Got till then. In the mean time having fun trying to figure it out and riring thousands of bucks of other peeps bikes!

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_generated/_generated_us/bikes/models/images/2000/2013/Defy_Composite_0_compact.jpg

[fishboy316]

Been hard at it and riding a few miles. Rode the proper size felt z5 and like it! I quick, comfy and agile. 105 w/fsa crank. Will be on sale friday$1440.
Rode the MASI about 30 miles on sat. Nice and comfy but don't think it is as quick as the F4. Ultegra $1799. Still not sure.
Cdale synapse carbon 5 105, $1699. Was finding this bike slow and clunky but realized I was on a 2012 and when they put me on a 2014 What a Difference! Came alive!
Still waiting to try the Giant Defy Composite 0. Am looking forward to trying this bike as the defy 3 is a real nice riding bike! It feels more like a cross betwee a race bike and a endo bike. Comfort and fast! At 2500 w/Di2. Another guy I met on the road Saturday works at a bike shop that deals in giant and he said his shop has 1 in stock and will smash bthe price on the comp 0. Waiting to hear from them now! Am off tomorrow and will go look at it for sure.

The felt has me thinking real hard at $1440. It is fast and kinda fun. Will be deciding this week as the big sale on the Cdale and felt are this weekend.
Havent had one say"You NEED to take me home now!". My Lefty said that!=/ Maybe it is different for a road bike. I will say that I rode the MASI for 30 miles and went home and dug stumps out of the ground for 4 hours. Thats something!!
Thats where it stands for now.
Bill

[fishboy316]

Bought a cervelo s5! Thankfully the search is over! Really nice Bike. Like riding a knife! Fast and comfy! Great price! Got pics in the show off your bike thread.

[Painkiller]

I always wanted one of these, I wish you could have test rode one for me for the review
http://titanflexbikes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82&Itemid=187

[fishboy316]

Thats a wild looking bike! Never seen it before. Would like to have tried one. I haven't ridden any titanium bikes at all. Rather high for my blood.(Wallet)

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Thats a wild looking bike! Never seen it before. Would like to have tried one. I haven't ridden any titanium bikes at all. Rather high for my blood.(Wallet)