Hi there!
I’ve been trying to decide on a new bike for quite some time now. For reference, I’m a petite 5’3″ woman from the US. In terms of biking, I have experience with hybrid bikes for commuting and shorter weekend rides on mostly paved and compact dirt trails. However, I want to start training for triathlons and was hoping to find a great multipurpose bike that I could use for longer rides (30-50 miles or more) and can also use for triathlon training. I would love to eventually invest in a carbon bike, but for right now, especially as a triathlon beginner, I’d rather get something a bit more cost-efficient.
\*Because I’m so small, I haven’t been able to try any of the bikes other than the Cannondale Synapse 2 in person (which I loved). I’m just nervous about how it will do on light gravel/compact dirt paths.
Below are the bikes that I’ve been looking at. Please let me know your thoughts!. Thanks for your help!
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CAAD Optimo 3, 2. and 4: [https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-3?sku=C14301M1044#tt-reviews-summary](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-3?sku=C14301M1044#tt-reviews-summary)
[https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-2#tt-reviews-summary](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-2#tt-reviews-summary)
[https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-4?sku=C14401M1044](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/race/caad-optimo/caad-optimo-4?sku=C14401M1044)
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Synapse 2 and 3:
[https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-2](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-2)
[https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-3](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-3)
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Synapse Sora:
[https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-sora](https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/road/endurance/synapse/synapse-sora)
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Domane AL 3 Disc
[https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en\_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-al/domane-al-3-disc/p/33082/?colorCode=white](https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/road-bikes/performance-road-bikes/domane/domane-al/domane-al-3-disc/p/33082/?colorCode=white)
\*I did see this one in person but they didn’t have it in my size. I liked the look and feel, but it definitely felt heavier than the Synapse 2. I’m not sure how much I would notice it while riding though.
by sleuth4thetruth