joe 6 pack and cannondale

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in the market for a new bike. of course, i'm permanently on the market for a new bike. it is part love of looking at bikes and part confusion from all of the options anymore. i have been tormented about the 26 vs. 29 debate for months now. thankfully, i haven't lost any sleep over it yet but i fear that may happen if i don't take a solid position soon. i remember when you wanted a bike it was either a road bike or a mountain bike and that was an easy call for me. now it is road or mountain. geared or single speed. full suspension, front suspension, or rigid. and that is just the beginning. but i study... a lot.

one thing i have found is that you pay for a cannondale. i have a cannondale (not the one mentioned here). i like it a lot. i have learned since i bought it that you will be getting a level down of components for their frame and lefty fork. it's fair. the design and ride are awesome. but i do believe that $3000 should get you out of the SRAM X7 shifters. for $3000 on a hard tail bike i feel in my heart of hearts you should be able to get X9. this is no rant. cannondale knows what they are doing and it is a great selection of bikes. but please cannondale, keep good shifting within reach of Joe 6 pack.

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