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I've been riding to work ever since November of last year.  When I say "ever since", I don't mean every day.  But during the warmer months, 2 or 3 times a week, and during winter much less (I'm a weenie ).  I want to increase this to 4 times a week during spring/summer and 2 or more times a week during the colder months.

You'll recall that some time ago I got myself a backpack for cycling and also got a high-vis waterproof cover for said backpack.  That's served me well, overall, but I've found that if I carry anything more than the absolute bare essentials, I wind up with unhappy shoulders and a sore back.  Also, the backpack obstructs my view of what's behind me.  My recent encounter with a dimwit truck driver (the one who tried to pass me on the right as I was turning right) just highlighted how much more aware I need to be of what's behind me.

Since last year, I've been toying with getting a dedicated commuter bike.  To this end, I sent the following email to Epic Cycles:

I have a Cannondale Synapse 4 Feminine Carbon bike which suits most of my needs.  I bought it when my only need was around recreational riding.  It fits me perfectly (51 cm).

Since then, I've started riding to work semi-regularly.  I currently ride to work 2-3 times a week (53Km round trip).  I carry a backpack because the Synapse cannot take panniers.  The backpack is heavy and limits my view of what's behind me.  With heavier loads, it leads to back and shoulder pain.  I'm looking for a bike for my commuting needs that is still quick, nimble, light etc but can deal with my new requirements.

Due to my good experiences with the Synapse, I have a brand preference for Cannondale.  The Quick range of bikes look interesting since they have carbon bikes in the range, but I can't tell if the carbon models have pannier mounts.  I asked Cannondale themselves and their answer wasn't especially clear.  Do you know?

I know I might be asking the impossible with this list of minimum requirements, but perhaps there's something out there that can meet my needs.  Do you have any suggestions?

• WSD (not particularly flexible on this requirement, I've been burnt by poorly-fitting bikes) - have had good experiences with Cannondale Synapse Feminine geometry
• Pannier mounts
• Lightweight (carbon would be nice, since I've been spoilt by the Synapse; otherwise light alloy)
• If flatbar - Shimano groupset, prefer 105 minimum
• If dropbar - SRAM double-tap (Rival/Force) shifters, everything else in groupset negotiable
• Prefer triple with large cogs at rear to deal with climbing with additional weight of heavier bike, pannier and load; will consider compact double if triple is not available
• Lightweight fenders/mudguards
• Pannier - needs to be able to carry 15" laptop, misc gear such as multi-tool kit, spare tube, levers etc as well as wet weather gear as a minimum, with occasional larger loads such as work clothes, lunch etc

It took them a little while to get back to me (which I fully expected, given they're a busy bike shop), but they gave me a very considered response, which boiled down to a recommendation for the Specialized Dolce Elite bike.  This is actually a bike I'd put high on the shortlist whilst doing my own research.  And, good news, they have a 51cm in stock!

So I went there yesterday for a test ride.  I fully expected I'd walk out of there with a new bike.  It didn't happen.

They put me on the bike and did an eyeball fit (nobody does a full fit for a test ride).   It felt a little small to me.  I felt like I was leaning too far forward, almost beyond the headstem.  But I figured, what the hell, of course it's going to feel different to the Cannondale, just give it a try and see how you go.  I'd barely got 100m down the road when I just knew it was all wrong for me.  I felt like I was riding a clown bike.  I felt completely scrunched up.  Pedalling was exhausting.  After five minutes on the bike, all I wanted was to just get off.

When I got back to the shop, I was so shagged from the effort, I needed to sit down.  I couldn't see straight.  I was almost ready to puke.  You know that feeling you get when you push yourself way too hard and you feel nauseated from it?  I was there.  Not a good place to be when the sales person is trying to extract from you exactly what was wrong with the bike!

Now, some bike shops would've a) tried to sell it to me anyway, or b) found something, anything, in stock to sell me.  Not Epic.  They told me to go home and measure up the Cannondale's fit and to send it all to them.  And they'll go find a bike that has those same measurements.  How awesome is that?

I'm hoping they can find something nice to suit my needs.  Spec-wise, the Dolce Elite really is a perfect match for my needs.  When I lifted it, it was super-light, something I hadn't expected from an alloy bike.  So it's definitely lightweight.  And the Apex groupset with 11-32 cassette is exactly what I need for climbing hills with a load on the back.  So, we'll see what Epic comes up with.  Hopefully Tuesday/Wednesday of next week, they'll have some suggestions.