Mad Mutant Manatee Mentors 4--CLOSED (Page 53)

I had chowda for lunch today -- corn chowda, but still . . . the best this marginal vegetarian can muster.

My swim made me really tired today.

JJ- - 2013-04-16 10:23 AM Well on a positive note: I had a fantastic ride today. Galveston really built my confidence back that my IT Band is healed and I can go harder now. I rode harder this morning than I have in a while and averaged 19.2 on the bike for about 20 miles. That's a very nice speed PR for me!! I'm finally getting faster

Good news!! I need to get out there.

Great speed!

This sounds very interesting! 

I think that I'd have to do the crawling in private.  I wouldn't want Kevin to question me while I was doing that :-)

No, sadly. But it was red, red i tell you. I couldn't focus on the ride because of all the redness.

Gotcha.  So you vote no on both the Specialized Allez and the Giant Defy.  What's next?  Didn't you say something about Cannondale?  (I know that Jen is eyeing one but did you mention it as well?)

nevermind - I see the Focus review now.

Ultegra is a big step up!  Sweet!

Oh, carbon fork too! 

Love the "stealth" color! 

 i liked the Focus but it was £1000 which is a bit steep for me as my wife is taking a 'work vacation'.

So next up was the Cannondale CAAD 8 Sora which i was a little disappointed in. The ride just didn't feel comfortable.

So you tried the Specialised Allez Sport (red, white and black), the Giant Defy 3 (red), the Focus Culebro SL 2.0 (black and blue), and the Cannondale CAAD 8 Sora (red and white). 

And you do not like any bike that has red it in.

What did you like the best about the Focus? 

Have you tried a Trek? Do you have those on your little island? I love mine, although it's a Trek Lexa (women specific) . . . then again, you might give it a try given your interest in fishnet stockings

Next up was the Giant Defy 1.

Shimano 105 groupset, lovely in white. Again it felt responsive and comfortable.

Unfortunately, it was also £1000.

potato chowda?

There were a few potatoes. It was yummy.

Did you try the Cannondale Synpase?  It's pretty close to the CAAD/Super Six, but has a slightly more relaxed geometry.  It's a pretty sweet bike.

I'll give anything a try in fishnet stockings. Indeed cycling could be one of the more normal things.

Unfortunately my friend's bike shop doesn't stock Trek and this is an important point because he is going to give me his full staff discount (between 40 and 50 % dependent on make).

I never actually got to ride one. I did sit on one but it didn't look quite right

AH, I figured it wasn't a coincidence.

But it sounds like you might want to try a couple of the bikes in your fishnets - it'll give you the je ne sais quoi that could seal the deal.  Something about feeling sassy with Trevor between your legs.

It does look a little weird, but if you didn't like the CAAD, it would be worth riding.

Also, the Synapse Tiagra is 900 pounds and has no red 

Am i so transparent???

But it didn't seem to fit right!

Wouldn't wanna be riding that bad boy up any large hills.....

So i have knocked out the Specialised and Cannondale. I have found that i like the more expensive end of my income bracket (quel surprise) with the Focus and Giant Defy 1.

That leaves the option of the slightly lower spec Focus SL 3.0 with it's 105 groupset but a less pleasant colour scheme of black and lime green piping or

the Giant Defy 2 with it's Tiagra groupset and a more acceptable silver scheme.

Interested to know what the pod think.

Couldn't find the crazy L pound symbol on my stupid work computer.  I need a Mac at work.

My dad would have a fit - we don't pick sports equipment based on color, only on fit! (and price, of course)

I, too, have rich tastes and a penchant for pretty colors.  It's a burden.

How long do you want to keep this bike before you upgrade again?  If it's going to last awhile, I would spend the money on the Focus because it has nicer components (105 is better than Tiagra).

Both frames fit nicely and feel right. However when i was on the red Giant, i felt all wrong. I am a tackle tart.