I am trying to decide between three very similar bicycles:
– Cannondale Quick 3 Remixte
– Cannondale Quick 3
– Cannondale Quick 4
https://99spokes.com/compare?bikes=cannondale-quick-3-remixte-2023%3B*z.sm-700-700%2Ccannondale-quick-3-2023%3B*z.sm-700-700%2Ccannondale-quick-womens-4-2023%3B*z.sm-700-700
The price difference would be roughly ~120 dollars (4 being cheaper).
The main difference seems to be Carbon Fork (Quick 3) vs Steel Fork (Quick 4), which also seems to shrink the weight by 0.5kg (about 1lbs), so the 3 is more lightweight. Also, 4 has 1×9, and the 3 have 2×9 gears.
I have some questions where any pointer would be helpful:
1) I couldn’t find a difference between Remixte and diamond shape, apart from, well, the top bar. Does that make a difference in riding quality? It definitely seems more awkward to carry.
2) I tried the Quick 4 and loved how quick and nimble it felt. Could the carbon fork take away from that nimble and reactive feeling, or would it rather add to it? Thoughts?
3) How delicate is a carbon fork? The would often spend the night in a chaotic bicycle room, with some not-exactly-gentle neighbors who also cram their bikes in there. Would that be a dealbreaker for anything Carbon related?
4) The weight difference between Quick 3 and Quick 4 is about 0.5kg (1lbs, the Quick 3 being lighter). How much of a difference does that make in everyday life? I am petite.
I have also tried similar bikes (Trek FX 3 – somehow meh, felt awkward for me; Specialized Sirrus 3 – I really, really wanted to love that one, but it didn’t feel as responsive and nimble as the Quick; Bergamont Sweep – nice enough, but felt weirdly heavy overall). Also, I tried an unspecified Quick (from a friend) and a Quick 4, both not in the right size (one too big, one too small) but they both felt very responsive, nimble, and, well, quick.
I mostly ride city (commuting to work, seeing friends), and have another bicycle for touring and to transport kids etc. This bike will be purely for me to quickly get from A to B in a reasonably bicycle-friendly, busy city.
Would love any input!
by tjilde