
After 4 weeks of waiting and almost a year long break I’m back on a bicycle. However everything worked out in an unexpected way as it often does.

This time around I place an order for Cannondale CAAD9-4. Same bike as I had before, only instead of getting Shimano 105 components I decided to go with SRAM Rival. The problem was that our LBS didn’t have this particular bike in stock. They placed an order to Cannondale and Cannondale folks were dragging their feet.

This past Wednesday Sasha asked if I wanted to stop by the store, see if he’ll pick anything out. The owner wasn’t supposed to be there on Wednesday, but there he was. He explained to me that Cannondale was expecting to ship the bikes next week and that he would’ve called me if anything changed, but I told him that I’m here with a friend to show him around.

We went to look at bikes and I suggested Alex test drives a CAAD9 bike and a Synapse. CAAD9 is a great crit bike and is great for racing, or anything else for that matter, but since we’re not really planning to race an endurance bike could be a better choice, and Synapse is exactly that. Synapse comes in alloy and carbon.

Sasha ended up liking Synapse more. We were told that it was a 2009 (last year) carbon model with Shimano 105 stuff. The price tag was $1400, which is a bit crazy, knowing that 2010 model goes for $2150. When Alex agreed to buy it, the owner started checking books and discovered that they, as he eloquently put it, fucked up. The bike was aluminum alloy, not carbon.

Allen (the owner) apologized for the screw up and said to correct the situation he’s going to give him a very good price — $1100 for aluminum and if he still wants carbon he’ll give him 2010 model for $1550, which is off the hook. I started feeling that my $1500 for $1800 wasn’t as great of a deal compared to this one — although it still was a hell of a deal, judging by the info on the forums.

Alex took a bike for a test drive and Allen said to me that since I was his customer it would not be right if he wouldn’t offer me the same deal. After a short test drive it didn’t take long for me to change my mind. Although CAAD9 is an awesome bike I figured that for me endurance bike probably makes more sense than a crit bike, since I’m not really all that great of a cyclist at this point. Plus this way I could pick up my new bike right away, instead of waiting. Alex did the same.

We picked them up on Friday. I put a little bit over 40 miles up to this point on my bike and I like it a lot. First day I wasn’t sure about my switch, but now I’m just happy to be riding again. We picked up a bunch of other gear which was given to us at a great price as well. I said this before, and I will say this again — THE BEST customer service and shopping experience, only at Sheepshead Cycle Shop. Allen is great to do business with, and I’m one of many very satisfied customers.
September 17, 2010 @ 14:28
*thumbs up* Woohoo! Don’t forget the accessories!
Shorts with a silicone butt pad = must
Water bottle = must
Bell = must
Tight-fitting shirt = preferable
Pouch, spare tube, compressed air = preferable
Gloves = optional
Floor pump = optional
September 17, 2010 @ 14:33
Helmet = most definitely a must!
September 17, 2010 @ 14:51
September 17, 2010 @ 14:57
What is recommended volume pressure for wheels?
September 17, 2010 @ 15:00
110.
September 24, 2010 @ 09:01
spare tube is a must. Just got flat tire
September 24, 2010 @ 09:32
Holy crap, man, that was fast. How did it happen? Did you get a pump yesterday? Was the pressure OK? Were you far from home?
September 24, 2010 @ 09:37
I bought pump yesterday and add more air. In the morning was great whether for biking.
It happened after 2 bridge (10 miles from home). I saw paper clip on the back wheel. My sister picked me up.
I would definitely buy spare tube
September 24, 2010 @ 09:40
Yeah, makes sense. Alex and I have spares in our bags. I just have no clue how to change it out myself.
September 24, 2010 @ 11:10
Not rocket science. Take the wheel off, deflate, peel the old one off, put the new one on, pump, put the wheel on.
October 9, 2010 @ 03:25
Hi I know you are going to love that bike hope you get the tire thing over they are not much to change when you have done it a bit wish you the best .
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