It's all about the fit
As much as I love my Quick6, she wasn’t what I rode in the duathlon. Kids, don’t try this at home…4 weeks before the race, I bought the girl version of the 2014 Bike of the Year and rode her in the race! You can read all about the bike here…
http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/news/article/cannondale-synapse-5-wins-cycling-plus-bike-of-the-year-video-40347/
I didn’t seek her out to buy her. I had read the article and felt “proud” that a Cannondale had won that accolade in a highly competitive market (like I had anything to do with it!). I’m always looking around for deals but Cannondales are rarely on sale.
The stars were aligned with me and her though. I was just browsing the website of a bike shop in my area that was named Best in Class for bike shops. I saw a line (no photo) for a Womens Synapse 105 ON SALE IN MY SIZE!! THERE WAS ONLY ONE!! Ok I know I’m yelling, but thinking about it still sets me off. My race was only weeks away, it was meant to be.
Unlike buying shoes, you cannot forgo a sizing and fitting session when you buy a racing bike. You also need to locate a retailer that knows how to do this. There’s no such thing as “off the shelf” and go. A great bike with a bad fit will cause you a lot of pain, especially in the body parts that you don’t want to hear me talk about! It will also cause you to doubt yourself, as you’ll constantly be in pain, even after you limp off. Luckily for me, my Synapse was waiting for me in The Best Bike Shop in my area. It’s Barry at the shop that makes it The Best. Barry is one of those dudes that knows everything there is to know about everything in that shop and yet, still knows how to talk to his customers. Top notch service with a winning bedside manner. Barry didn’t push, he advised. I took his advice and bought not just the bike but also a rack and a seat. No regrets whatsoever. My racing monster is so perfectly fitted that I can ride her without bike shorts. Now THAT’S a great fit.