I am thinking about buying a 2012 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6C Apex
Price is around $1400 CAD (900GBP).
Any thoughts on Cannondale - or indeed this model.
I'm spending a quite lot more on a mountain bike from the same source, but wanted to take up road riding this year as well.....
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I've been riding my Cube GTC Agree Race with full ultegra for the last 18 months now. Its racing geometry set up and is still more than comfortable for century rides. I done L2P on it last year, done half a dozen century rides including a 150 and it was still comfortable after 9 hours in the saddle.
One of my roadie mates has just picked up a Cervelo S series in the last couple of months since he emigrated to Canada. Apparently, they are super cheap out there and the frames are about as good as it gets. Dont know if that helps you?
What wheels come with the Cannondale? Fulcrums? Mavics?
I really must stop looking at the new Felt AR3 with Di2. I need to finish decorating my house before I buy yet another bike!!!
It's the third Saturday of the month, so I suspect JohnBoy is probably out in the middle of the Hertfordshire countryside with the Enfield Dogging society at this very moment.
;-)
Got a few mates who also ride Cannondale and none of them have a bad word to say about their bikes - seems to be a good make for semi decent cyclists who aren't ready to drop four grand on a bike.
Has done me great. Very comfortable riding position and the components are all pretty good and reliable.
Haven't had to replace anything on it yet other than tyres and brake pads.
Been a while since I've been on it though and am looking to do london to Paris in September so need to get out and get fit again soon!
Looked at Cannondale at the same time and whilst the frames are generally better you loose out on the spec. When I was looking the £900 Cannondale price point was only kitted with Shimano Sora. Had full Sora on the £500 Specialized Allez I was riding.
Cube at £900 was full Shimano Tiagra.
I won't lie though, Cube are very good looking bikes and that had an influence.
John Boy is right about the Synapse riding position. Very upright.
on another note. just got a turbo trainer and was looking at a spare rear wheel and cartridge so i don't have to mess about changing tyres. it seems to be really expensive though. any tips?
If you want to go down the line of getting a turbo wheel, you can pick up odd ones on ebay for cheap as peanuts.
Rothko - I use speedplays and have done for a few years now - love them. Just enough play so can move leg around, better than my old Looks and Shimano. No faffing around with kicking the pedal round 'the right way'...
Decided that my next purchase is going to be a road bike with disc brakes...been riding my mtb to commute (the one bought from you Jon) and I love having the discs...just need to get saving...
Safe cycling all.
Interesting you saying that about the discs. Thats the one thing that I've never quite got used to with the road bikes, is the lack of stopping power. Cant imagine discs with a road bike though. If you're at the front of a group and you hit the brakes, every single rider behind you without discs will plough into the back of you, wouldnt they? Have to say, would feel a damn site safer with discs though.
BTW - completely off tangent, a number of clubs have reported incidents of attacks on cyclists in the Biggin Hill area, a number of riders have ended up with broken collarbones. Its been reported that a couple of motorcyclist have been swerving into groups and knocking them off and there are reports of a hook and rope being launched from a car.
Cervelos are great looking bikes, but have problems with frame fails - snapping around the seattube. You also may be able to get them cheaper as they have been in and out of receivership in recent years. Good bikes, just something to be wary of re the companies ability to replace frame fails in the future. Cannondale are reliable, and of excellent quality. Not sure on the prices in Canada, but the big German bike manufactureres offer excellent kit at low prices: Cube, Focus and Rose.
Had two "offs" at traffic lights when I first started using them - both because I freaked out when I missed trying to clip in. Have learnt to pedal with one leg and clip in when clear of the lights now!
Flicking them isn't really an issue for me. Will be sticking with then as they are the only clipless pedals that haven't given me knee trouble.
just found my mavic rear wheel is slightly bent and inequality spoke is disconnected. what's the best bet here. drop into a shop for repair?
Harry Perry's in Woolwich build bespoke wheels and I have watched him sort my seemingly mangled back wheel in 5-10mins on two separate visits.
Last time he charged £15 and that included replacing two broken spokes.